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Product Design CAD/CAM

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CNC CAM machines interpret the information provided by CAD software. Many CNC machines use a special software language called FANUC.

FANUC software reads the CAD file and then produces machine code for the CNC machine to use.

Much of this special language is made up from information called G code and M code.

G codes provide the CNC machine with information about the direction of movement of the cutting tool.

M codes refer to miscellaneous functions such as starting the cutting tool and turning on the coolant.

Programming a CNC machine

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Below is a list of selected G and M codes which are used in milling operations. If you have access to a CNC milling machine, see if you can spot some being used.

G00 – rapid movement G01 – straight line cutting moveG02 – clockwise cutting move G03 – anticlockwise cutting move G71 – metric unitsG81 – drilling cycleG90 – absolute programmingG91 – incremental programming

M03 – start spindle forwardsM04 – start spindle reverseM05 – stop spindleM06 – tool changeM08 – coolant onM09 – coolant offM39 – close automatic chuck

When a CNC machine moves, it must have a datum so that it knows how far to move. Incremental and absolute are two types of programming which use the datum in a different way.

Programming and coordinates

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Incremental programming determines each move in relation to the position of the last one. In other words, every move starts where the last one finishes.

X Y

0 -1

+2 0

0 -2

+3 0

+2 +2Datum (start)

-y

+y

+x-xcutter

Incremental programming

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Incremental programming task

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Absolute programming determines each move in relation to a single datum point (usually in the bottom left corner).In other words, every move starts from the same start point.

Datum (start)

-y

+y

+x-x

X Y0 -1

2 -2

2 -3

5 -3

7 -1

cutter

Absolute programming

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Absolute programming task

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The work is clamped to a bed which moves in the X and Y directions.The cutting tool is placed in a chuck connected to a rotating spindle.The spindle moves in the Z direction.

Types of CNC machinery – milling machine

A milling machine uses a rotating cutting tool to shape a range of metals and plastics.

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The work is clamped to a bed.The cutting tool is placed in the router chuck connected to a high-speed rotating spindle.The router moves in three axes on a complex arrangement of mechanisms.

Types of CNC machinery – router

A router uses a rotating cutting tool to shape a range of timbers.

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A lathe is used to produce cylindrical objects.Materials are held in a chuck and rotated at different speeds.The cutting tool is held in the tool post and is inserted into the material as it rotates. It moves in the X and Y axes.The final shape of the material depends on the path taken by the cutting tool.

Types of CNC machinery – lathe

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Laser cutters can cut several materials including wood, plastic, fabric, leather, paper and rubber. They will also mark glass, ceramic and stone.

Lasers can perform the following functions: cutting, deep engraving, precision scribing and decorative etching.

They are extremely fast and efficient to use.

Types of CNC machinery – laser cutter

A laser cutter uses a concentrated laser to cut or mark materials.

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Images can be created using CAD software, taken from clipart or hand drawn and then scanned in.

Machines can be driven directly from the PC.

Types of CNC machinery – embroidery machine

Computerized embroidery machines are capable of embroidering onto fabrics, paper, card and board.

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Types of CNC machinery – vinyl cutter

Vinyl cutters, like the one shown here, can cut and score paper, card and vinyl. They are available in various sizes from A5 to A0 and beyond. The video clip below shows how labels for sandwich packaging are designed on computer, and then cut out using a computer controlled vinyl cutter.

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Resin based systems use a resin which sets hard when hit by a laser.Laminate systems build up a solid model from layers of material positioned on top of each other.Wax based systems are similar to an inkjet printer and squirt wax onto a moving platform.

Types of CNC machinery – rapid prototyping

These models have been produced using a rapid prototyping 3D printer, like the one pictured.

There are three main types of rapid prototyping.

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CAD CAM working together

When CAD and CAM are used together, it is often referred to as CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing).CIM incorporates all aspects of the design and make process.Product designers from different countries can work on all stages of the design and manufacture of a product.

Computer integrated manufacturing

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All aspects of the design and manufacture process are involved in CIM.

CIM

Design

Marketing

Research &development

Productionplanning

Quality control& assurance

Manufacturing& productionLogistics

Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)

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CAD/CAM game

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Key points

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Key

po

ints

Computer aided designing allows product designers to create 2D and 3D designs, and view and test products before they are manufactured.

Computer aided manufacturing uses a computer to control manufacturing machines.

CAD drawings can be output as numerical data which CNC machines can read.

When CAD and CAM are used together it is known as computer integrated manufacturing (CIM).