Computer Aided Manufacture

CAM translates a CAD design into commands, typically G-CODE, which describe the path that should be taken by the cutting head of a mill or lathe or the deposition head of a 3D printer to produce the desired part. These commands are then sent to a CNC system which runs the machine.

This software is often divided into seperate groups for subtractive systems (mills, lathes, etc...) and additive systems (3D printers, etc...) but the basic work and result are the same. The differences primarily deal with the ease and ability to change tool size mid job, and describing paths which result in the most polished result. To differentiate these systems, subtractive systems are called CAM, and additive are called "slicers".

See:

• Computer Aided Design Applications
• Computer Numerical Control Applications

See also:

• https://grid.space/kiri/ STL to g-code for 3D printers (SLA or FDM), CNC (Routers, Mills), or Laser cutters in the browser. Simple, but useful.
• http://cam.autodesk.com/posts/ All the "post processors" for AutoDesk 360 are open source^ and written in JavaScript^.
• http://lautr3k.github.io/SLAcer.js/ Web based slicer, can produces SVG slice files from STL files.
• http://jscut.org/jscut.html Online web app helps you produce g-code from SVG files.
• http://www.crankorgan.com
• http://www.slac.stanford.edu/exp/mps/FCS/FCS_drop.htm Microdrop Technology
• http://homemade3dprinter.blogspot.com/ Alvaro Fogassa used a hacked Lexmark Z12 inkjet printer to build his own homemade 3D printer. The printer has been mounted on drawer slids so that instead of moving a sheet of paper thorugh itself, it moves itself back and forth over the build area. A tray holds a mixture of plaster and maltodextrin which is spread by the carrage holding the printer as it passes back and forth, "printing" with distilled water. The tray lowers after each pass as the printer trips a sensor when it returns home. An AVR at90s2313 controlled by a BASCOM program lowers the tray after each "page" is printed. The pages are printed from an application that "slices" Rino .STL files and sends them to the printer.

Pick and Place, automated placement of components.

Comments:

• CAM is the best way to keep your products looking the same