CAM

1
CAM

• CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacture.
• CAM uses a computer to control a manufacturing
  process.
• The input for CAM is often the output of a CAD
  design

2
Uses of CAM

• Robots
• Robots are used in many factories that have to
  assemble products
• Robots are used in the car industry for spot
  welding (Remember the recent Citroen advert where
  the robot seems to have a mind of its own?)
• Robots are programmed to insert electronic
  components into a circuit board.
• Robots are used to take the CAD drawings to
  create plastic parts for Consumer Products like
  Televisions

3
Advantages of Robots

• Robots are useful in industry because
• They can perform complex tasks with very few
  errors
• They can carry out tasks which might be dangerous
  to humans. (In a chemical process)
• They can do repetitive jobs without getting bored
  -)
• With a feedback system they can be programmed
• To sense danger around them - bits of machinery
  falling over etc
• To sense when they run out of things e.g. paint
  or solder
• Be aware of humans around them ever been in a
  museum and a recorded voice starts explaining
  something to you

4
Disadvantages of Robots

• Robots are of limited use if
• They are unable to sense things around them (some
  robots lack a feedback system)
• The job to be done is only short term
• good for mass production, but not for small
  quantity production

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