Archive for November, 2007

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the automation that uses various computer-aided design tools that guide engineers, architects and other professionals in their design activities. It is considered to be both software and special-purpose hardware. Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is a software process that directly converts the product drawing into the code format enabling the machine to manufacture the product. CAM is used in various machines like lathes or milling machines for product manufacturing purposes.

CAM allows the computer work instructions to be given directly to the manufacturing machinery. It also uses algorithms for planning and controlling the fabrication processes. As a part of the design process, these algorithms are also used in the CAD systems during the manufacturability tests. The mechanism of CAM was developed by Computer Numerical Machines (CNC) in the early 1950?s. The system was directed by a set of coded instructions in a punched paper tape.

Integration of CAM with a CAD system designs and develops the manufacturing processes quickly and efficiently. This integrated mechanism is used in key areas such as the automotive, aviation and furniture industries. CAM is considered to be a very expensive system, which ranges over $18,000 for the computer system along with the software.

Design processes and the machining are more simplified with the help of the CAM system, which is used in CNC manufacturing. A 3D environment is used for a CAM system to work with the CAD system in most cases. A CAM system can efficiently control and manage various applications done from a single computer system. This makes the process much easier and faster; computer reprogramming is relatively simple and allows for faster implementation of design changes.

A CAM system controls the factors involving the data verification during manufacturing; panelizing the design to fit in the raw material; and editing and adding manufacturing information. Mechanical engineering and electronic design automation are the key areas where the CAM system is used. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) and Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) are the major manufacturing mechanisms that are involved in the CAM system.

Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing provides detailed information on Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing, Cam And Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Design , Computer Aided Design Scanners and more. Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing is affiliated with Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing.

2007-11-26 18:46:49 – New Program Perfectly Targeted to Allow Reseller to Add-Value to its Architectural Sales Program

Redmond, WA November 26, 2007 – 2BotSM Corporation, the inventor of the affordable 2Bot 3D modelmaking system, announced the launch of its new Reseller Program, targeted at resellers who want to increase the value of its sales efforts to architects.

The first phase of the program enables US resellers to start selling these innovative 2Bot systems, which will be generally available
in January 2008. Resellers are invited to visit 2Bot’s booth # 514, during the Autodesk University event, to see a working 2Bot system, and discuss reseller opportunities with the 2Bot team.

2Bot is launching its ModelMaker for Architects™ at Autodesk University. Attendees to the industry event in Las Vegas will see the first public demonstration of a machine that can carve a physical scale topographical model in its entirety in less than an hour and rapidly create all the pieces for architectural models in minutes.

ModelMaker for Architects automates the tedious creation of scale models and parts, a task that has traditionally been performed manually at great expenditures of time and cost. 2Bot’s ModelMaker delivers a complete solution that includes very easy-to-use software, requires no advanced programming skills, and works from standard file formats including DWG and DXF.

2Bot delivers these advanced CNC capabilities in a very small package. The desktop-sized machine sits on a 30 x 30-inch footprint and weighs only 50 pounds. Despite its compact size, ModelMaker for Architects can produce scale models of limitless area. The system automatically segments larger-area models into easily panelized sections.

ModelMaker for Architects is the first CNC device especially designed for the office environment. It runs from a standard electrical outlet and features many user-accessible parts, which are protected by 2Bot’s one-year replacement warranty.

The 2Bot currently supports AutoCAD DWG and DXF data, and SketchUp KMZ files. It will also currently handle STL data from just about any major CAD product. More file format support is planned in the near future.

Product specifications and purchase information can be found at the 2Bot official site at www.2Bot.com.

About 2Bot
For the past 40 years, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) has been a key manufacturing technology in the mass production of hard goods from airplanes to furniture. CNC turns designs on a user’s computer into finished goods by instructing a CNC machine to precisely cut and form raw materials into finished goods. To date, these machines have been so expensive that only very large industries could afford them.

2Bot is the first CNC machine to be conceptualized, engineered, and produced with its own mass production in mind. This allows prices to be so low that the typical professional environment can afford one. We envision that 2Bot will soon become a standard part of each professional’s tool set. 2Bot will make the creation of objects from ideas so effortless that it becomes a common event in your everyday design process.

2Bot systems are currently available for architects and hobbyist engineers. 2Bot Corporation is based in Redmond, WA and is privately held.

2Bot is a service mark of 2Bot Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

2Bot Corporation
17455 NE 67th Court, Suite 110
Redmond, Washington 98052 USA
T: 425-869-5035
www.2bot.com

Latest universal turning and mill/turning machines offer up to 25% performance improvement, when compared with the last generation, while work area visibility has been improved

Gildemeister said that its ‘fifth generation’ CTX Series of CNC universal turning and mill-turn machines offer up to a 25% improvement in performance. Also an ultra-modern enclosure design provides up to 40% improved visibility of the working area. Also, Gildemeister’s DMG ERGOline control system introduces new levels of functionality and presentation.

DMG of Luton, UK, said that the ‘new look’ CTX Series is modular across the range, allowing users to choose capacity, specification and performance from the Gildemeister’s use of three basic platforms.

The platforms are designated Alpha, Beta and Gamma.

These platforms are divided into 10 different models.

Then there is a further 24 variations of equipment available to add to the specification.

As a result of the design and development criteria for CTX, as the size and requirements generally increase so does the performance.

Here, a prime example is torque available at the main spindle which ranges from 127Nm on the Alpha 300 to 2,400Nm on the top of the range Gamma 2000.

Chuck diameters are available from 160mm to 630mm, barfeed capacities from 51mm to 102mm and turning lengths between 300mm and 2000mm.

There is also a range of built-in spindles available having up to 113kW of power, turret, Y-axis cross feeds and tailstock options, driven tools and secondary spindles plus a range of integrated tool magazines.

Also, Gildemeister has incorporated the already well-proven, high speed 60m/min linear motor drive systems as an option and made available high accuracy linear scale positioning.

* Y-axis – at the top of the range, the ‘TC’ variants of Beta and Gamma machines incorporate a Y-axis crossfeed as standard to the heavy duty B-axis milling and turning head with full interpolation and 5-axis simultaneous positioning.

There is also capacity for up to 36 tools in the magazine and both main and secondary spindles have identical machining power with up to 770Nm of torque available.

With the new ‘branded’ enclosures, distinctive in matt white and high gloss black finish, these enhance the large safety glass viewing panel, said DMG (UK) to manufacturingtalk.com.

The viewing panel is some 40% larger within the access door to not only create an identity, but also add new levels of practicality to the range.

Also as part of the futuristic design, a highly practical DMG Lightline indicator of the machine’s operational status spans the side door area across the entire height of the machine.

This is further emphasised by the 19in ultra-clear DMG ERGOline control with its brushed chrome surfaces that can be ergonomically set for the most appropriate operational positioning.

• DMG (UK): contact details and other news

MillShapes

Here is a post from Bob A about some new CNC Software he developed.  Check it out.

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I have just released a new CNC program Demo called MillShapes.
The program converts common Shapes like Circle, Square, Rectangle,
Triangle, Hex, Pocketing, Drilling and some Shapes that could be useful
direct to gcode. Give it try for 10 days at:
http://www.cad2gcod e.com/millshapes /
ThinkCNC
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Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing

Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is an automation process that directly converts the product drawing or the object into the code design enabling the machine to manufacture the product. CAM is used in various machines like a lathes or milling machines for product manufacturing purposes.

It allows the computer work instructions to communicate directly to the manufacturing machines. In the early 1950?s, the technology evolved from the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. Those were directed by a set of coded instructions in a punched paper tape. Now single computer with the CAM controlled computer system can control the entire process performed by robotic milling machines, lathes, welding machines and other various tools. It moves the product to various machines within the system by allowing each step to get completed during the manufacturing process.

The CAM system is used in various applications like lathes, welding machines and many milling machines. The major applications that are performed using the CAM system are wood turning, metal working, metal spinning and glass working. The applications of this system are also used in producing the solids of rotation, plane surfaces, and screw threads or helices.

Three dimensional solids can be manufactured by using the ornamental lathes with more complexity. The CAM systems are used in manufacturing the objects on the lathe includes candlestick holders, table legs, bowls, baseball bats, crankshafts and camshafts. Diamond turning is one of the processes that are performed using the CNC lathe systems in manufacturing diamond-tipped cutting materials. High-quality aspheric optical elements are manufactured from glass, crystals, metals, acrylic and other various materials. Other major application of the CAM system is the robotic milling machines.

CAM systems offer a wide range of applications in areas like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and aerospace engineering. A few of the applications that are used in the mechanical engineering area are thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, kinematics, and robotics. The major applications in the electrical engineering are electricity, electromagnetism and electronics. Ergonomics, quality engineering and operations research are few applications in the industrial engineering. The major applications in aerospace engineering are aerodynamics, propulsion, materials science, and aero elasticity.

Computer Aided Manufacturing provides detailed information on Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing, Cam And Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Design , Computer Aided Design Scanners and more. Computer Aided Manufacturing is affliated with Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing.

Two Days Training on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
5-6 December 2007: BangaloreCII Institute of Quality (CII-IQ) is announces it’s training module on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD T) to be held 5-6 December 2007 at Bangalore.Course Objectives: To learn the standard method of interpreting the Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing given in the drawing. To learn how inspection…

Integrate manufacturing with ecological sensitivity : Prof Prahalad
Mumbai: Breaking the price performance envelope by integrating manufacturing with ecological sensitivity and strength of IT will create huge opportunities in India, advocated Prof C K Prahalad, World’s top most Thinker and Paul Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor, The University of Michigan, at the CII 6th Manufacturing…

KOMPAS-3D V9 LT for Mechanical CAD is available online for FREE
ASCON released the Light, Demo and Viewer of the newest KOMPAS-3D V9 versionSt.Petersburg, Russia – ASCON Group, developer and vendor of CAD/CAPP/PDM Solutions, is glad to present its flagship considerably improved product for Mechanical Computer-Aided Design KOMPAS-3D V9 in Demo, Light and Viewer mode.

ARAI Forging Industry Division launched its official web site
Pune: ARAI-FID formally launched its official web site www.firiindia.com in order to widen its reach amongst the worldwide forging industry, research agencies, associates, vendors and job seekers. The web site provides the information on the infrastructure available, various kinds of testing to be undertaken, research activities and training being offered…

Continued influx of orders for German machine tools
Frankfurt am Main: The rise in demand for German machine tools continues apace. In the third quarter of 2007 orders increased by 31 per cent over against the same period last year. The major contribution towards this dynamic business trend came from domestic customers. The orders they placed rose by…

If you work in a specialized design domain, such as aluminum composite panel assembly, HVAC duct installation, log cabin architecture or turbocharger manufacture, your CAD drafting service provider will need specialized knowledge for performing your drafting.

For instance, the drawings might have to be compatible with a CNC machine tool. This would imply a definite relationship between types of objects in the drawing and the layers in the drawing. This in turn would require the CAD drafting service provider to understand which objects to put on which layer.

Understanding which objects to put on which layer frequently calls for the draftsperson to profoundly understand your manufacturing or construction process.

The trouble is, there are very few CAD drafting service providers with ready knowledge of specialized domains. This means your choice of providers will be limited, and there is a good chance you will not be enthused by any of the firms that present themselves.

So what?s a CAD outsourcer like you to do?

Grow your own! (provider, that is?)

You?re right if you think this takes a lot of time, energy and patience. You?re wrong if you feel it will not be worth it.

Look at the advantages: we are talking about subject areas where there aren?t many good CAD drafting service providers. You take the trouble to develop one. So finally you have a good one and nobody else does.

This gives you a tremendous competitive benefit in terms of cost. While others have to use in-house, specialized draftspeople costing maybe $27 per hour, you?re cruising along at $11 per hour. Is that a killer advantage or what?!

The other big plus of growing your own provider is the loyalty that develops. Service provider loyalty is like protein to an outsourcing relationship. You need it vitally, you can?t buy it out and you have to produce it within the relationship. If you have it, you can go more miles than your nearest rival.

Which CAD service provider do you start off with? Find one your friends are using, or go online and select one with due diligence (more about that in a forthcoming article).

The motto of this story is that if you cannot find a CAD drafting service provider with the skills you need, find one that has an otherwise strong skill set. Take the time to teach them the skills, knowing all along that it is you, the outsourcer, who will reap enormous benefits as a result of the process.

To your CAD outsourcing health!

CarveWright CNC Wood Routing System

Here is a notice I recently got from CarveWright about their upcoming Shows.  I thought you all might be interested as CarveWright is a CNC Wood Router System sold by Sears.

CarveWright Release
We here at CarveWright are dedicated to keeping you informing of any and all trade shows and demonstrations that we are participating in.  Here you will see a list of the demonstrations we will be doing at Sears stores and trade shows for the dates of 11/9 – 11/18.  If you already own a machine and you have some really neat projects you want to show off, by all means, bring them and wow us with your creativity!  If you don’t own a machine or need some accessories, we will be running special promotional pricing at these events.  We look forward to seeing you at one (or more) of the following locations:

Trade Shows

Denver, CO
The Woodworking Shows located at the Denver Merchandise Mart on 11/16-11/18

Store Demonstrations

Sears stores in Minnesota

Sears in Coon Rapids
12737 River Rapids Blvd
Coon Rapids, MN  55448
We will be there on Saturday 11/10 from 11am-12:30pm

Sears in Maplewood
3001 White Bear Ave N # 3001
Maplewood, MN  55109
We will be there on Saturday 11/10 from 1pm-2:30pm

Sears in Burnsville
14250 Buck Hill Rd
Burnsville, MN  55306
We will be there on Sunday 11/11 from 1pm-2:30pm

Sears stores in Pennsylvania

Sears in Pittsburgh
1008 Ross Park Mall
Pittsburgh, PA  15237
We will be there on Saturday 11/17 from 11am-12:30pm

Sears in Tarentum
289 Pittsburgh Mills Circle
Tarentum, PA  15084
We will be there on Saturday the 11/17 from 2pm-3:30pm

Sears in Butler
101 Clearview Cir
Butler, PA  16001

We will be there on Sunday 11/18 from 1pm-2:30pm