Eastern Mediterranean University Department of Mechanical Engineering

What is CAE?

What is CAM?

What is CAD?

What are these, and how are they differing from each other?

“CA” refers to Computer-Aided “CA” refers to Computer-Aided. CAE, is Engineering, CAD is Design, and for CAM, is Manufacturing. These are engineering, design and manufacturing software programs. Each one has its own purpose.

Computer-Aided Engineering Is the use of computer software to aid in engineering analysis problems, to analyze the performance of components and assemblies, simulation, validation, and optimization of products and manufacturing tools.

Computer-Aided Design Overview CAD program is a computer techniques that designs a product and documents the design phase of the engineering process. CAD may help the manufacturing process by transferring detailed diagrams of product’s materials, processes, tolerances, and dimensions. It can be used to generate either 2D or 3D models. Computer-Aided Design is the use of computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, and optimization of design. This is often considered an engineering software program (i.e. SolidWorks and AutoCAD).

Modern CAD Programs can improve the following: Increase the Productivity of the Engineer Improve the Quality of Design Improve Communications through Documentation Create a Database for Manufacturing Process

Who Uses Computer-Aided Design Architectures Civil Engineers Electrical Engineers Facilities Manager Mechanical Engineers Interior Designers Structural Engineers Manufacturing Engineers Fire Protection Engineers Food Services Designers ……etc.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing Overview CAM refers to the use of a computer in assisting in the manufacturing process. It aims to generate a faster production process and components and tooling with more accurate dimensions and material consistency. CAM is a subsequent computer-aided process after computer-aided design (CAD) and sometimes after computer-aided engineering (CAE), as model generated in CAD and verified in CAE can be input into CAM software, which controls the machine tool. CAM used for Computer Numerical Controlled machines (CNC).

Computer-Aided Manufacturing Overview Computer-Aided Manufacturing is the software code behind the machines that manufacture the products. Computer Numerical Controlled machines are the devices that utilize the CAM code for manufacturing of products. CNC machines include: Mills Lathes Surface Grinders Welders Electrical Discharge Manufacturing ….etc.

How CAD, CAE, and CAM work together CAD is the critical base for either CAM or CAE and is required for them to operate properly. Each software are powerful tools for engineers in order to make the functions easier, accurate and more efficient, using them correctly would provide optimum benefit for engineers.