Overview

Choosing the appropriate CAD/CAM system is as important, if not more important, than choosing the most suitable multiaxis machine. There are many specialized machines that are dedicated to specific types of work, however one CAD/CAM system will drive all the CNC equipment in the shop.

It is important to make sure that the selected system can handle not only all the different types of work the shop does now, but will also be capable of taking on future challenges.

CAD (Computer Aided Design)/CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) is always referred to as one combined system because most CAD/CAM systems offer both design and manufacturing capabilities. Be aware, however, that very few excel in both CAD and CAM.

Systems with heavy CAD emphasis have their roots in CAD and are better at solid modeling so that they can handle large assemblies with ease. These systems have associativity between all the components so that when a change is made to one feature on one part in an assembly, it will propagate throughout the entire assembly. These systems are very good at managing CAD data, but their CAM capability may have been added later and it often does not have the same depth.

Systems with heavy CAM emphasis are good at everything related to toolpath creation, from simple 2D drilling, contouring, and pocketing to multi-surface and multiaxis machining. Toolpaths can be generated for all kinds of CNC equipment including wire- and other- EDM, water-jets, lasers, lathes, mills, and multitasking machines. These systems have...