Cad Software

Imagine life without the remote control device? Most household appliances like television sets, DVD/VCD players, electric fans and air conditioners have remote control device that makes it easier these easier to operate. It is an essential tool that is similar to having a command button that helps a person accomplish a task with less effort. There is no need to manually activate and click the POWER ON switch as there is a POWER ON button on the remote control itself. You just sit back and relax and let the remote control do everything for you in just a single push of a button. This is also the concept that made big companies thought of as a way to make machine work faster and easier. This is where the CAD/CAM and CNC software comes in.

If the CAD/CAM software is the one responsible for designing and machining process, the CNC or Computer Numerical Control refers to the computer controller that reads a set of instructions given by a CNC programmer that commands the machine to carry out specific tasks. These instructions, also known as G-code, can be altered, depending on the machine work desired. The sample tools with CNC variants are the following: drills, milling machines, water jet cutters, sheet metals works, laser cutters, wood routers and oxy-fuels among others.

John T. Parsons, in collaboration with the MIT Servomechanisms Laboratory, have developed Numerical Control or NC in the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, NC then was hard wired and operating parameters could not be altered. Because of this, CNC paved the way and replaced NC to allow editing and tool compensation computation. At first, punched tape was used as the sole medium for G-codes transmission until the use of floppy disks, RS232 cables and computer network cables was initiated.

CNC machines have increased its popularity to CAD/CAM companies after it was developed many decades after the 1950s and so it has changed the usual way of manufacturing things. Some methods in the past that take days to accomplish have become simpler tasks with the use of CNC machines. Curves are easy to cut, complex 3D structures are easy to produce and above all, machine interaction from human operators was also reduced. It can be compared to a robot that can perform series of pre-determined commands. Because of this, an increase in production with improvements in quality and consistency was also attained. There are even machines that can produce numerous outputs with no machine operators. This has been made possible with the use of sensors and lasers. Truly, CNC machines have become intelligent as time goes by. It is a must-have for companies that aim to innovate and introduce new products while maintaining quality at its finest.