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What is CAD/CAM used for?
CAD/CAM applications are used to both design a product and program manufacturing processes, specifically, CNC machining. CAM software (US site) uses the models and assemblies created in CAD software to generate toolpaths that drive machine tools to turn designs into physical parts. CAD/CAM software is used to design and manufacture prototypes, finished parts, and production runs.
How is CAD/CAM used?
Magna Advanced Technologies
Magna Advanced Technologies produces prototypes and tooling for the highly competitive automotive market. PowerMill and PowerShape enable the firm to design and manufacture complex parts faster while conserving capital expenditure.
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SandFlo Golf Putters
SandFlo golf uses Fusion 360 for end-to-end product development to create custom golf putters. The cloud, collaboration, and the community combined enable Johan Sandflo to bring his ideas to life.
Watches of Switzerland
CallisonRTKL was enlisted by Aurum—the owner of Watches of Switzerland and other jewelers in the UK—to design the new 3-story, 17,000-square-foot flagship store on Regent Street in London.
Expert CAD/CAM software
Prepare your designs for manufacture with PowerShape, create 5-axis precision toolpaths to machine parts with PowerMill, and inspect finished parts with multiple devices using PowerInspect.
Modeling for manufacture
A modeling for manufacture toolkit. Discover how PowerShape combines the strengths of surface, solid, and mesh modeling to prepare molds, dies, and complex parts for manufacture. (video: 1:43 min.)
5-axis machining
Maximize machine efficiency and part quality. Import PowerShape models into PowerMill and create precision high-speed and multi-axis toolpaths for molds, dies, and highly complex components. (video: 1:33 min.)
Inspect manufactured parts
Compare your finished part against the PowerShape CAD data with PowerInspect. Inspect parts on the shop floor, in the inspection room, or integrate inspection routines on the machine tool. (video: 1:33 min.)
CAD/CAM for production machining
FeatureCAM Ultimate brings together CAD/CAM technology from PartMaker and FeatureCAM for production machining.
Feature recognition
Get feature recognition tools to scan, identify, and automatically create machinable features from your design with associative operations, reducing programming time. (video: 2:04 min.)
Multitask machining
Optimize CNC programs for multitasking turn-mills capable of performing both turning and milling operations in a single set-up, helping reduce cycle times and maximize profit. (video: 1:30 min.)
Swiss-type lathes
Focused Swiss machining strategies for precision manufacturing give you full control over your Swiss-type lathes based on your tooling, machine tool, and volume of production. (video: 1:48 min.)
Cloud-powered CAD/CAM software
Fusion 360 integrates CAM with mechanical design, simulation, and collaboration tools in a single cloud-based platform that works on both Mac and PC.
Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
Integrated factory layout, structural analysis, and up to 5-axis CAM within the collection lets you streamline your design through manufacturing workflows in one complete interface.
Related products
Design every detail with AutoCAD, one of the world’s leading 2D and 3D design platforms.
Design, visualize, and simulate your products before they are built with Inventor software.
Design and make high-quality decorative woodwork with ArtCAM.
Free software for students and educators
We offer free Autodesk software for students and educators. Use the same 2D drafting and drawing software as top professionals around the world.
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Free software for nonprofits
Are you a nonprofit or entrepreneur working to create positive impact through design? Learn more about our Technology Impact Program and see if you qualify for free design and engineering software.
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CAD/CAM trends
Industry experts CIMdata expect CAD/CAM software demand to increase as manufacturers look to produce better quality products, reduce production times, and lower their cost to market.
CAD/CAM integration
Trends toward CAD/CAM software interfacing with IoT, predictive analytics, and smart manufacturing technologies are forecast to redefine manufacturing in the future.
Additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is also increasing the demand for CAD/CAM software that enables industrial designers to take advantage of the extra creativity offered by 3D printing.
Cloud based CAD/CAM
Cloud-based CAD/CAM applications such as Fusion 360, combining NC programming, simulation, and design into one cloud-based application, are predicted to accelerate over the next few years.