MODULE- II

CAM DEFINITION:
 Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is an application technology that uses computer
software and machinery to facilitate and automate manufacturing processes.
 CAM is the successor of computer-aided engineering (CAE) and is often used in
tandem with computer-aided design (CAD).
 Modern CAM systems include real-time controls and robotics. CAM reduces waste and
energy for enhanced manufacturing and production efficiency via increased production
speeds, raw material consistency and more precise tooling accuracy.
 CAM uses computer-driven manufacturing processes for additional automation of
management, material tracking, planning and transportation.
 CAM also implements advanced productivity tools like simulation and optimization to
leverage professional skills.
 Depending on enterprise solution and manufacturer, CAM may present inadequacies in
the following areas:
 Manufacturing process and usage complexity
 Product Life cycle Management (PLM) and modern enterprise
integration
 Machine process automation
 CAM is often linked with CAD for more enhanced and streamlined manufacturing,
efficient design and superior machinery automation.
FUNCTIONS AND BENEFITS OF CAM
Functions of Computer Aided Manufacturing:
The functions of Computer Aided Manufacturing include two huge categories, namely:
• Manufacturing Planning, and
• Manufacturing Control.
Manufacturing Planning:
 During this process, the computer is used in offline to deliver required information for
providing effective production planning and management.
Production Planning and Management Includes:
  CAPP (Computer Aided Process Planning): It concerns with the route sheets
preparation and this route sheets lists the set of operations and work centers which
is needed for producing the products.
 Computerized Machinability Data System: It concerns with the machinability data
generations like feed, speed and more.
 Computer Assisted NC Part Programming: It concerns with the part program
generation that is required for NC / CNC machine tools.
 Development of Work Standards: It concerns with the standard time generation for
job.
 Estimation of Costs: It concerns with the production of total product costs.
 Production and Inventory Planning: It includes the maintenance of automatic stock
items recording, inventory records, maintaining priorities, production and capacity
planning, and material requirements.
 Computer Aided Line Balancing: It concerns with the work element allocation with
assembly line work stations.
Manufacturing Control: Manufacturing Control is the computer system application that is
used for managing and controlling the physical operations. It includes:
 Process Monitoring and Control: It concerns with the observation and regulation of
production equipment and manufacturing process.
 Shop Floor Control: It concerns with collection of data from plant operations and
this data is used for controlling the production and inventory.
 Quality Control: It concerns with several approaches that is used for ensuring the
maximum possible quality levels.
 Inventory Control: It concerns with the maintenance of inventory for reducing the
investment, cost of storage, and to increase the customer service.
 Just In Time Production System: It concerns with the item delivery to customers or
to exact machines at the required time.
Benefits of Computer Aided Manufacturing
 Maximizes the productivity
 Flexibility
 Less manufacturing lead time
 Increased reliability
 Less scrap
 Best management control.
Computer Aided Manufacturing helps to produce the products in a shorter lead time with the
help of best manufacturing techniques.