Computer Aided Manufacturing
Joshua Saari
OPERMGT 345
PowerPoint Training Presentation
Overview
 Computer Aided Manufacturing Defined
 Brainstorming Exercise
 Nuts and Bolts
 How It Works
 A Real World Example
 Summary of Presentation
 Works Cited
Computer Aided Manufacturing
 What is Computer Aided Manufacturing?
• If is “control of the manufacturing process by
computers” involving the integration of CAD
engineering data and the computerized
equipment which manufactures the product.
– (Russell, Taylor 213)
Computer Aided Manufacturing
 Other definitions:
• “Computer aided manufacturing concerns the
use of algorithms for planning and controlling
fabrication processes.”
– (utwente.nl)
• Computer aided manufacturing is “the use of
computers for managing manufacturing
processes.”
– (techtarget.com)
Computer Aided Manufacturing
 Using technology to produce
 Leveraging capital investments
 Increasing productivity through
automation
 Decreasing lead time through
programmatically controlled machinery
Brainstorming Exercise
 How can CAM benefit your company?
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Integrate design and manufacturing
Make mass customization possible
Reduce costs
Leverage computing power
Automate manufacturing processes
Brainstorming Exercise
 Identify benefits and costs of CAM:
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Direct Benefits
Indirect Benefits
Tangible Costs
Intangible Costs
Brainstorming Exercise
 What processes in your company could be
more efficient through CAM?
Nuts and Bolts
 Essentially the collection of computer
technologies used in manufacturing
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Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
Direct Numerical Control (DNC)
Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)
Robots
Automated material Handling Systems
Nuts and Bolts
 Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)
• Machine that is controlled by computer
• Utilizes monitor and keyboard for operator
interaction
• Facilitates greater control over quality
• Allows machine to monitor the maintenance of
its parts
Nuts and Bolts
 Direct Numerical Control (DNC)
• Each machine contains own microprocessor
• Entire bank of machines controlled by a single
central computer
• If used with automated material handling,
considered to be a flexible manufacturing
system
Nuts and Bolts
 Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)
• Numerous computer-controlled machines fed
by automated material handling system
• Allows for broad and deep product mix
• Minimal setup times enable small lot sizes
Nuts and Bolts
 Robots
• Mechanical manipulators that can be
accessed programmatically
• Consistent, repetitive-motion tolerant
• Ideal for tasks that are hazardous to humans
Nuts and Bolts
 Automated Materials Handling System
• System where raw materials are automatically
fed into machines
• Examples:
– Conveyor belts
– Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)
– Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
How It Works
1.
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Product is conceived by engineer
Product is designed using CAD software
CAD data is transferred to manufacturing
machine’s memory
Machine uses the CAD data to produce the
product, with little human intervention
How It Works
 Old System (without CAM)
• Product is designed with CAD software
– Each production machine is programmed
individually
OR – if not automated :
– Employees are trained on proper production of the
product
How It Works
 New System (using CAM)
• Product is designed with CAD software
– Product specifications are sent over the plant
network to each machine
– Machines have ‘intelligence’ to produce the
products without human intervention
A Real World Example
 C D Ward and Associates
• Manufacturer of knitwear in England
• Needed to automate design-to-manufacture
process
A Real World Example
 C D War and Associates turned to CAM
• 3-step process:
– converting the artistic garment specification into a
technical specification
– using the technical specification to calculate yarn
weights and manufacturing times
– converting weights and times to costs
– (C D Ward and Associates)
A Real World Example
 C D Ward and Associates
• CAM solution:
– Enables faster turnaround of new products
– Reduces waste by using raw materials more
efficiently
– Generates costs based on design specifications
Summary
 Here’s what we’ve looked at so far….
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Definition
Brainstormed
Nuts and Bolts
How It Works
Real World Example
Conclusion
 CAM enables companies to leverage
capital investment
 CAM allows for cost savings that can be
passed on to the final consumer
 CAM utilizes human resources more
efficiently to minimize labor costs
Works Cited
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Russell, Roberta and Taylor, Bernard. Operations
Management. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall,
2000.
“Computer Aided Manufacturing.” Internet.
http://www.opm.wb.utwente.nl/cam.html. 7 May 2002.
“Computer-Aided Manufacturing.” Internet.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci7589
62,00.html. 7 May 2002.
“Knitwear and CAD/CAM.” Internet.
http://www.cdwa.com/html/knitpaper.html. 7 May 2002.