How to Pick a CAM -Computer Aided Manufacturing- Program

There are multiple CAM programs available for generating tool paths and machining operations. Generally, people become familiar with one and stick with that. As far as selecting the right one for you, my advice is this. Most software companies have free trial. Thirty-day trials are common. Take advantage of these trial periods and test the software out. Then at the end, decide if you want to try another or stick with your best one. I would advise you try out at least three different packages.

The one you select will probably have to do with your liking the interface or finding it intuitive. Keep in mind it may work for you now. A simple to use and understand interface probably has some limitations for your designs. The very best programs are complex with many tools that give you the most control. I have found that I start with a simple program and outgrow it. At some point, I move up to the next level of software. This usually means a higher price as well.

The difference with CAM Software levels is the number of Axis the software allows for. You will see the standard types below. Think of it like this, as you add more Axis’, the more sophisticated the software must get and the more it will cost. It will also give you more flexibility though. That is the trade off, money for flexibility.

The different types of CAM Software

There are many different types of CAM Software. You will need to purchase the type that fits your machine. For example, if you have a CNC Plasma Cutter, you probably only need a 2D CAM Software version. The torch will only move in the X and Y planes. That is if you have a torch height control.

What if you have a CNC Milling Machine with X and Y axes that are powered by stepper motors? You will probably only need 2.5D CAM Software. That is because your parts will have depth.

What if you have a CNC Wood Router and it carves out three-dimensional shapes out of wood? It has three servo motors to control on the X, Y and Z-axis. Yep, you need 3D CAM Software.

What if you want to mill or carve something into a cylinder of stock material? You will need a 4th Axis CAM Software so the machine can rotate the cylinder while all the other three Axis’ are moving.

Here are the most common types of CAM Software2D CAM

2.5D CAM

3D CAM

4th Axis CAM

5th Axis CAM

Don Edge has used CNC in making some of his metal art. If you want more information on CAM Software or CAD CAM Software please go to http://www.cncinformation.com

CNC And CAD - Computer Aided Design

CAD stands for Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting. CAD was developed in the early 60s. Today it is the premier way to design, develop and optimized products. People use CAD every day to design virtually every product you see. Generally, designers use CAD to design a product, and then produce prints to manufacture that product. A print is a picture of a part or assembly that is very exact. It includes the dimensions and a parts list used to manufacture a product. CAD is the use of computer based software packages that assist engineers, architects and other design professionals in their designs. CAD is the part of the main designing process and involves both software and sometimes hardware. Current software packages range from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modelers.

Computer Aided Drafting software packages can generally be broken into two groups. The groups are 2-D drafting packages or 3-D drafting packages. Most all software packages are moving to 3-D design. 3-D design is really the next generation of CAD. Utilizing 3-D design, engineers can make a model of their product. They can then look over this model for any apparent defects before it is ever made.

CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products. CAD is mainly used for the engineering of models and/or drawings of components. It is also used throughout the engineering process from concept to design of products. These products can be used by end consumers or used in other products. For example, you can design a bolt in CAD, and then use it in a Sub-Assembly in a planetary, which is a part of an earth-moving machine. CAD is also used in the design of tools and machinery. Finally, it is used in the design of all types of buildings from sheds to shopping malls.

Ivan Irons runs http://www.cncinformation.com/CNCBlog/ were you can get the latest on auto cad blocks, computers aided design, and CAD Blocks.

Industrial Information - High Speed Milling Machines

High speed machining is a proven stipulation characterized by low cutting forces and high metal removal. High Speed Milling is a technique used in the CNC Milling Industry that combines high spindle speeds with increased feed rates. This results in a high chip-forming rate and lower milling forces, producing an improved surface quality and closer tolerances. In high speed milling, the electronics can make all the difference. The right CNC coupled with other elements of the control system can let a slower machine mill a given form faster than a machine with a higher top feed rate.

1. High Speed Uses

High-speed CNC milling is used, for example, to machine the titanium rotors of the first high-pressure compressor stages of the EJ200 engine. High speed CNC milling allows cost-effective milling of the airfoil geometry from the solid. By subsequent finishing operations the planned surface finish is achieved. The CNC milling which caters to high speed must be structured with an axis movement system that is suitable for machining.

2. Axis Movement

The high-speed CNC milling machines required for the process must be fitted with an axis movement system suitable for machining blisks, which should be at least 5 axes simultaneously, depending on the milling task involved and an efficiently high-speed control system.

3. 3D Surfaces

High Speed CNC milling machines working on 3D surfaces in any materials produce a finer surface finish and higher accuracy in less time that the traditional milling machine. Acceleration is the most critical factor that affects the high speed machining. Since one or more axis are always increasing or decreasing velocity in a 3-D cut, ultimate feed rate is directly related to acceleration

4. What Can A High Speed Control Possibly Do?

A CNC milling machine which possesses a higher structural stiffness has a greater potential acceleration rate. Box shaped high speed CNC milling machine, like Bridge and Gantry is the mostly widely used types of High speed CNC milling tools. The overhead type Gantry exudes the highest stiffness, acceleration and accuracy among other high speed CNC milling tools. Due to its scalability, this machine type is available in sizes to match the work piece, from small to large.

In usual terms, it simply gives you the ability to finish one task faster and move along to the next sooner, making work output higher. In drilling and tapping, this can result in faster hole-to-hole times, quicker spindle reversals for tapping, and substantial cycle-time reductions. The most dramatic benefits, though, come in 3D designs machining. Few, drilling and tapping jobs require a million lines of machine codes. In molds, dies, patterns, and prototypes, complex surfaces comprising a million or more line segments are not at all uncommon. Saving just a fraction of a second per move can result in substantial cycle-time improvements.

5. Downsides - When Is Fast Too Fast?

But despite all these benefits, in high milling, the tool path segments can be so short that a machining center moving at a high feed rate can?t accelerate or decelerate fast enough to make direction changes accurately. Corners may be rounded off and the work piece surface may be gouged. Look-ahead is one answer. Look-ahead capability can let the CNC read ahead a certain number of blocks in the program, to anticipate sudden direction changes and slow the feed rate accordingly.

6. Additional Benefits:

- Improved accuracy
- Better fit
- Superior finish
- Better life
- Produce more work in less time
- Improving the accuracy and finish
- Reducing polishing and fitting time
- Tools simply last longer because their chip load is more consistent

For more great milling machine related articles and resources check out http://www.millinginfo.com