The use of computer aided design and computer aided manufacture
Computer aided design (CAD)
Computer aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to design new products in 3D. This enables businesses to visualise new designs in a variety of materials and send images around the world for collaboration and consultation. Once production is finalised, these designs are sent to computer aided manufacture (CAM) machines to be formed.
| Advantages of CAD | Disadvantages of CAD |
| Ideas can be drawn and developed quickly | Expensive to set up |
| Designs can be viewed from all angles and with a range of materials | Needs a skilled workforce |
| Some testing and consumer feedback can be done before costly production takes place | Difficult to keep up with constantly changing and improving technology |
| It becomes easier to design and test a range of ideas | Computers can fail |
| Advantages of CAD | Ideas can be drawn and developed quickly |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAD | Expensive to set up |
| Advantages of CAD | Designs can be viewed from all angles and with a range of materials |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAD | Needs a skilled workforce |
| Advantages of CAD | Some testing and consumer feedback can be done before costly production takes place |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAD | Difficult to keep up with constantly changing and improving technology |
| Advantages of CAD | It becomes easier to design and test a range of ideas |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAD | Computers can fail |
Computer aided manufacture (CAM)
Computer aided manufacture (CAM) involves using computers to control machines to undertake the production of goods. By using CAM, designs can be sent to CAM machines such as laser cutters, 3D printers and milling machines.
| Advantages of CAM | Disadvantages of CAM |
| Fast and accurate production | Expensive to set up |
| Machines can run constantly on repetitive tasks | Needs a skilled workforce of engineers |
| Good for producing on a mass/flow production line | Downtime required for maintenance |
| Less material wastage | Computers and machines can fail |
| Advantages of CAM | Fast and accurate production |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAM | Expensive to set up |
| Advantages of CAM | Machines can run constantly on repetitive tasks |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAM | Needs a skilled workforce of engineers |
| Advantages of CAM | Good for producing on a mass/flow production line |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAM | Downtime required for maintenance |
| Advantages of CAM | Less material wastage |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of CAM | Computers and machines can fail |
How these differ from traditional methods of production
Traditional methods of production involve drawing designs by hand, creating a number of prototypes and using humans to manually produce goods or operate machinery. These methods have been used for a long period of time, however are less efficient, more expensive and more time consuming than new methods of CAD and CAM.
Some products still benefit from more traditional methods of production, such as those with a reputation or tradition for being hand made.