Faculty Of Engineering Alexandria

university

Naval Department

Difference Between Cad and

Cam

Hany Emad Fouad 65

CAD (Computer Aided Drawing/Drafting) and CAM
(Computer Aided Manufacturing) are computer
technologies used for mainly product designing and
manufacturing purposes where former is used in
designing of the product through some designing
software while latter involves software for controlling the
machines in the industries such as CNC machines.

CAD and CAM are the steps included in the

manufacturing of a product

1-Definition
 CAD (Computer Aided Design) is used to design components in virtual environment.
So you create 3D models and 2D drawings instead of hand drawn technical
drawings. ...

 CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) is used to prepare manufacturing

process for previously created virtual model (the one from CAD software)

2-Key difference between cad and cam

 THE major difference between CAD and CAM lies in the end user.

While CAM software is mostly used by an engineer, CAM is used by a trained
machinist. These machinists are highly skilled and are equivalent to a computer
engineer. CAD refers to Computer Aided Design, while CAM stands for Computer
Aided Manufacture

 CAD and CAM are both part of an over all important process that is referred to as
computer aided engineering (CAE). CADS and CAM have similar advantages and they
render items in 2D or 3D. Both CAD and CAM help in quick processing and production
of any design that is conceptualized by a scientist. Most of the CAM machines have
inbuilt CAD software.
• CAD and CAM are heavily dependent upon each other.

 The CAM system requires control and coordination of the physical

process, equipment, material, and labour whereas CAD requires
product design conceptualization and analysis

 There is numerous CAD software, for example, AutoCAD, Autodesk

Inventor, CATIA etcetera. In contrast, Siemens NX, Power MILL,
WorkNC, SolidCAM are some the examples for CAM software

 CAD is the use of computers for designing in simple language. It is also known as
CADD, which stands for computer aided design and drafting. In CAD, a wide range of
computer based tools are used to assist engineers, architects and other design
professionals in their design activities.

 CAM is the use of computer based tools that assist engineers, tool and die makers and
CNC machinists in the manufacture and prototyping of product components. While CAD
has many functions that do not necessarily involve CAM, the same cannot be said about
CAM, and in general, CAM is heavily dependent upon CAD.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Advantages

 A design drawn on a CAD system can be engraved on acrylic, metal

or glass

 A design drawn on a CAD system can be printed out using a pen on

paper, or it can be cut out of card or coloured vinyl by using a
carbide-tripped cutter. This provides an excellent way of making
cardboard models and designs
 Can be more accurate than hand-drawn designs - it reduces human
error

 You can save and edit ideas, which makes it easier and cheaper to
modify your design as you go along.

 You can modify existing ideas, which saves time.

 Precise 3D models can be examined before making expensive materials.

 Scaling, re-scaling modification in drawings and models is easier and
automatic and accurate.

 Storage and retrieval of models is easier.

Disadvatages

 The software itself can be expensive so initial costs are high. There
are free software packages though.

 Staff need to be trained how to use the software, which also adds to
costs

 Requires a PC
 Machine maintenance is also costly.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER AIDED manufacture
Advantages :

 Manufacture is less labour intensive and saves labour cost.

 It is important for businesses to contact the appropriate vendors that cater

to their design needs

 Computer-aided manufacturing reduces errors

 Computer-aided manufacturing increases
productivity and efficiency
 Computer-aided manufacturing reduces the waste of
materials.
 Computer-aided manufacturing systems are flexible.

Disadvantages
 It requires high initial investment and start-up cost.
 Machine maintenance is also costly.
 May result in loss of a workforce with high-level manual skill.
 To assure proper tooling and set up procedures it needs highly trained
operatives and technicians.
 Technology Failure
 Development of cad and cam:
The FORAN System[1] is an integrated CAD/CAM/CAE system developed by SENER for the
design and production of practically any naval ship and offshore unit. It is a multidisciplinary and
integrated system that can be used in all the ship design and production phases and disciplines.
The System[2] collects all the information in a single database. FORAN is mainly focused on the
design of:

 Merchants, Ro-Pax, Ro-Ro, bulk carriers, chemical tankers, container ships and cement and
oil tankers.
 Navy vessels (surface ships and submarines), in which the systems allows designers to
carry out configuration control, analyze different design alternatives (prototypes), handle
advanced hull forms and manage materials and special standards, as well as introducing
customized criteria.
 Specific vessels, tugs and workboats, hotel vessels, fishing vessels, fish transport vessels,
oceanographic vessels, etc.
 For use in the offshore industry such as floating platforms (both anchored and fixed), staff
transportation services, anchor vessels and vessels for applications such as supply, rescue,
firefighting or anti-pollution.