About CAD/CAM

CAD (Computer Aided Design)

Computer-aided design (CAD), also known as computer-aided design and drafting(CADD) ^[1] , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer. CADD software, or environments, provides the user with input-tools for the purpose of streamlining design processes; drafting, documentation, and manufacturing processes. CADD output is often in the form of electronic files for print or machining operations. The development of CADD-based software is in direct correlation with the processes it seeks to economize; industry-based software (construction, manufacturing, etc.) typically uses vector-based (linear) environments whereas graphic-based software utilizes raster-based (pixelated) environments.

CADD environments often involve more than just shapes. As in the manual drafting of technicaland engineering drawings, the output of CAD must convey information, such as materials, processes, dimensions, and tolerances, according to application-specific conventions.

CAD may be used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional (2D) space; or curves, surfaces, and solids in three-dimensional (3D) objects.^[2]

CAD is an important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more. CAD is also widely used to produce computer animation for special effects in movies, advertising and technical manuals. The modern ubiquity and power of computers means that even perfume bottles and shampoo dispensers are designed using techniques unheard of by engineers of the 1960s. Because of its enormous economic importance, CAD has been a major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and software), and discrete differential geometry.^[3]

CAM (Computer Aided manufacturing)

AlphaCAM Advanced programming systems for offline programming NC machines have been created and developed, and are exclusively owned, by Licom systems limited of Conentry, England , versions are avilable for microsoft windows 95 Microsoft Windows NT and Microsoft Windows 3.x 

The AlphaCAM family of systems is modular, and is available in the following versions.

3D Mill/Router, Lathe,Laser,Flame,Wire-EDM,Punch and Diecut.AlphaCAD is 3D mill without Machine menu. In this version 2D and 3D designs can be created, but NC code for producing the parts cannot, Alphanest is a module for shop floor use, for nesting parts previously programmed with ALPHACAM.