Technology - CAD & CAM

The Techsoft website (http://www.techsoftuk.co.uk/CADCAM.htm)
gives a useful introduction to CAD/CAM:

Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture can be thought of as two separate processes.

CAD involves the creation of a design using a computer. Designs do not have to be in the traditional technical style, they may also be very graphical, such as the graphics for a new shop front, or in the form of 3D models, etc.

CAM involves using a computer to control the operation of a manufacturing tool. This may be a vinyl cutter, a sewing machine, a milling machine, a laser cutter, a 3D printer etc. (Early systems used only numerical data, hence CNC - Computer Numerical Control).

(The main problem for academic institutions wishing to offer courses in Computer Integrated Manufacturing - CIM - has traditionally been the cost of the appropriate equipment.

In recent years CAD and CAM have converged, with data from the CAD system automatically generating tool paths and operating machines directly. CAD/CAM has revolutionised industry, cutting time and costs, and improving accuracy. It has also allowed the development of products not possible using traditional manufacturing techniques.

Visit the site
(http://www.techsoftuk.co.uk/CADCAM.htm) for more discussion of CAD/CAM in schools.

2D OR 3D SOFTWARE?

Software

There are three mainstream CAD/CAM software programs that are suitable for school use: 2D Design, ArtCAM and ProDESKTOP. 2D Design is already in widespread use in secondary schools in the UK.

2D Design
Techsoft describe 2D Design thus:
2D Design (http://www.techsoftuk.co.uk/2D.htm) has been created specifically to be used in schools. It is well proven, being used by more than 4,000 U.K. schools. It not only deals with all draughting with ease, but it is an excellent Graphics Design tool too. It is sophisticated yet easy to use. The ability to be user configured means that it can be used from year 7 through to A level. The built-in drivers for CNC equipment mean that it is at the heart of the vast majority of CAD/CAM systems in use in UK schools. TechSoft recommend that the software is used as the core drawing program for the entire school. This will maximise students' exposure to it and hence reduce the Design and Technology teaching burden. A Student license allows pupils to use the software at home, radically increasing access times.

Essentially 2D Design is a technical drafting and graphic design package which combines CAD and CAM. 2D Design is particularly useful for working with the shapes and structures that can be cut from flat sheets of Perspex or plywood, as can be seen in these examples from the Tower Hamlets City Learning Centre.

ArtCAM
Denford, who supplied the CAM machinery at the Tower Hamlets City Learning Centre have another CAD program product called ArtCAM. This software allows the design of a relief 3D model which can be generated easily from a two-dimensional drawing or other artwork (even a photo). This computer generated 3D model can then be used to control a computer aided milling machine to cut a relief shape into a flat piece of sheet material which results in an object with one flat side and one relief side. To create a fully three-dimensional modelled object you can cut two reliefs with the exactly the same outside shape and join them together. Read more about ArtCAM on the Denford Website. (http://www.denford.co.uk/artcam.htm) ArtCAM is available free of charge to UK schools as part of the UK schools' CAD/CAM initiative. (http://www.denford.co.uk/cadcaminitiative.htm)
For more information follow this link to the Delcam site (http://www.delcam.com/uk1/delcamhome_uk.htm)

Besides ArtCAM, Delcam also provide MiniCAM software which lets students set up their designs for manufacture and machining. ArtCAM is an educational version of a fully professional suite of software used in his industry; use this link to find out more. (http://www.artcam.com/)

ArtCAM was the software we selected for the Adapt project.
According to Katharine Willis:
You can't do much with the basic technical software. The ArtCAM software was more creative, much more intuitive.
2D Design has been around for a long time, it takes a long time to learn. The transition between 2D and 3D is sometimes quite a lengthy process. With technical drawing programs it is quite complicated. With the ArtCAM it is quite simple - it just does it for you. I really think it's a good piece of software.
ArtCAM is a real industry product. You might not get to make exactly what you want to make, but you can actually draw something in two dimensions and see it in three dimensions quite easily. Higher end versions of the same family of software are used for making prototypes for sport shoes, jewellery and cars.

Despite early reservations Brad Wilson, the students' teacher, concluded:
I think the students found it quite intuitive to work with. It was the perfect choice. They picked up quite easily on the 2D - 3D idea which lots of students find difficult.

Denford, the suppliers, say:
ArtCAM is very much a machinist tool. As designs are relief based, they will always be suitable for a CNC machine or router.

Pro DESKTOP
This is a far more complex programme which is also available free to schools as part of the UK schools' CAD/CAM initiative.
According to Denford:
Pro/DESKTOP is a program suitable for designing objects that can be measured accurately. It is great for producing complex products that are made of many parts (assemblies). Suitable designs can then be output to a CNC machine. Typical applications are prototypes (camera, CD player, concept cars etc.)

CAM Machines Denford (http://www.denford.co.uk/aboutus.html)
provide a range of CAM machines for use in educational contexts which relate generically to machines found in the CAM business world. Common types of machines are Millers, Lathes and Routers.
The Tower Hamlets CLC has a Novamill,
( http://www.denford.co.uk/novamill.htm)
Microturn (http://www.denford.co.uk/microturn.htm) and Microrouter. (http://www.denford.co.uk/microrouter.htm)