The use of computers to analyze and transfer an electronic design (CAD) to the manufacturing floor.
A general term that refers to the use of computers to control equipment drilling, welding and milling in the manufacturing process.
A computer program that generates tool paths or other manufacturing data to fabricate tooling, usually by subtractive means. CAM programs may use a geometry definition from a CAD program as a starting point.
The use of a computer system to automate parts of a manufacturing process, such as producing machine parts directly on robotic lathes that receive their instructions from a CAD system. The abbreviation CAD/CAM applies to such integrated computer processes.
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of a wide range of Product Lifecycle Management computer-based software tools that assist engineers, in the manufacture of product components. 3D models of components generated in CAD software are used to generate CNC code to drive numerical controled machine tools. This involves the engineer in selecting what type of tool, machining process and paths that are to be used.