Integrated CAD/CAM Explained
What does integrated CAD/CAM really mean and what are the benefits for the end user? One CAD/CAM supplier shares its insight.
What are the key advantages of using an integrated CAD/CAM software? Missler Software shares its insight below. The company takes into account manufacturing imperatives throughout the entire product development lifecycle. They offer a complete solution right up to and including the actual programming of the machine tool, which means that manufacturing considerations such as tolerances are taken into account and managed in the CAD stage.
One of the real benefits of having CAD capabilities alongside your CAM system is that it gives the user complete control over the whole process. We all know that manufacturing is all about “changes” and with a completely integrated solution the user can adapt to changes easily and of course the toolpaths will automatically adapt themselves.
Another major benefit is the ability to design work holding fixtures “on the fly”. Once they have specified what the raw material will look like they then use the CAD system to model any special jigs etc. that are required. CAD/CAM should come complete with a fully configured library of 3D parts including cap screws, nuts bolts etc. and as the user does not have to switch from CAD to CAM he is free to design any time he needs to.
Last but not least many companies wrongly believe that an integrated solution will be much more expensive than a stand-alone CAD or CAM software. This is false as some integrated options are on a par with almost all other stand-alone products.
