CAD or Computer Aided design, plays a pivotal role in rendering ideas and designs into 2D or 3D images, making it easier to analyse and change if needed. Furthermore, CAD allows for easier collaboration between designers and engineers supporting the seamless transition from concept to production.
The CAD software that we use at our facility is Solid Edge and this article will go into some of the features of this software and how it supports our capabilities.
The Fundamentals of Solid Edge
FSM currently operates with four licenses of Solid Edge software. This software is essential for processing nearly all of the component designs that transition to the factory floor for manufacturing.
Our clients often give us drawings or sketches of their ideas and concepts. We use CAD software to turn these ideas and concepts into detailed 3D modelled assemblies. Solid Edge is fully parametric which means that if a dimension is changed in a part or assembly, the entire model will update automatically to reflect the changes. This helps to improve design times and makes the process very flexible.
Solid Edge also has flat pattern development capabilities, which means that once a drawing has been produced, bending allowances can be automatically generated. This information is then used to programme the machines involved in sheet metal fabrication. The CAM or Computer Aided Manufacturing, software used to process this information is called Boost and has been developed by Trumpf.
The relationship between CAD and CAM
CAD and CAM complement each other within an industry such as ours. Solid Edge CAD can be used to draw 3D models of whatever parts are required. The next step is to turn these computer-generated designs into CAM programs so the items can be cut and folded as needed.
Apart from generating machine manufacturing programmes, Boost CAM software enables estimating and production engineers to see how much time and material will be required to produce a single part or a complete production run based on the designs generated by the CAD system.
While CAD/CAM allow for traceability and better control over the item being manufactured sometimes it is easier to go directly to production instead of creating a computer drawing as this will take longer to prepare and be costlier. Typically, this would be a simple “1off” item not likely to be repeated.
From computer to machine
All files are created on the pc installed software and are saved directly onto the server which can be accessed from any one of the machines throughout the network. One of the main advantages of the CAM process for the presses is that you can see the components in their flat state and the orientation they need to be put into the machine to produce the parts. The software also informs the operator the tooling required and its location.
FSMs CAD/CAM capabilities
FSM are happy to work with any file format, even if this happens to be a piece of scrap paper, a cardboard mock-up of the product in mind or a DXF file. Any foundation can be a starting point, and we have the capability to turn these foundations into full 3D CAD models or assemblies.
Once a graphic model/prototype has been produced, it will be tested against the original information to assess how closely we have followed the specification. Our priority is ensuring that all the client’s criteria are met.
The direction that the current CAD/CAM landscape is heading in is that software creators are developing their programs with the aim of making them as versatile and intelligent as possible. This means having the software clearly dictate what method, tooling and set-up is required increasing accuracy, efficiency and production times so that any member of the production team can operate the machine effectively.
If our CAD/CAM service is something that might be useful to you at this time, or if you would like to find out more about our capabilities then feel free to get in touch with us today at [email protected] or call us at 01440 762561 and a member of our team will be happy to have a chat.