What is CAD/CAM Software?
Computer Aided Design.
In reference to software, it is the means of designing and creating
geometry and models that can be used in the process of product
manufacturing.
Computer Aided Manufacturing.
In reference to software, it is the means of processing a designed part
model, creating machine toolpath for its various components and creating
an NC program that is then sent to a CNC Machine tool to be made.
The
purpose of CAD-CAM is to automate CNC programming and allow innovators,
designers and cnc businesses to manufacture products, bringing them to
market faster and more profitably than ever before. It is the concept of
producing goods faster and for less.
Manufacturers of The Future
In
2013 and beyond, thousands of students in North America alone are
currently planning to enter careers in Manufacturing. From Advanced
Mechanical Design, Fabrication, Aerospace Engineering and Aircraft
Manufacturing to Industrial Engineering, Automotive and CNC Machining,
these students will be the future of Manufacturing moving forward. They
will be the innovators, the creators and architects that will design and
make all of the products we use on a daily basis. As design and
manufacturing technology advances, so does the look and usability of the
products we buy and use. Costs are driven down and the speed in which
products are brought to market increases. This means that we can buy
products from dishwashers to cell phones cheaper while enjoying a
broader selection to choose from.
While software providers are
constantly moving forward in the development of CAD/CAM software, adding
new automation and making it more intuitive than the last software
revisions, you will agree that there needs to be a swiftly moving system
of keeping these students on par with the cutting edge of CNC
automation. Thus ensuring their survival once they land in shops and
manufacturing businesses around the world.
Here are some of the
real-world challenges that educators and schools face when including
manufacturing CAD/CAM technology in their curriculums.
Focused Manufacturing Curriculums
A
common challenge for CAD/CAM in Education has to do with the type of
applications or even industries being taught along with the curriculum
segments revolving around software as it relates to
that
specific industry or application. In 2008 a panel of manufacturing and
business professionals were interviewed by O & P.com, an online
resource for Orthotics and Prosthetics companies. The interviews focused
on CAD/CAM software in education and the results were surprising. These
business professionals really felt that there was a serious lack of
professional training available in the area of CAD design and CAM
machining technology.
Some of them had even gone so far as to
provide seminars on the subject at schools and universities in an effort
to get educators more involved in the subject so that there would be
some support for the industry moving forward. It makes sense. Even now
in 2013 there is no CAD/CAM software product that caters to the design
and manufacturing of prosthetics as an example. The closest form of
CAD/CAM for a specific application would be special dental prosthetic
products that cater to the dental industry. But what about the rest?
Software is used for CNC automation in just about every available type
of application today without schools having to find custom-specific
application type systems.
The solution has to be available where
CAD/CAM providers work directly with the educator, teacher or school to
develop curriculums that deal with specific applications in order to
tune down the product and be more application focused. While many
CAD/CAM providers will help, education still suffers because of budgets
and the high price of implementing software for such cases.
Educational Budget Cuts
Many
states are currently looking at budget cuts for fiscal years 2014 and
2015 that will drop higher education budgets below 2008/2009 levels. The
dollar amount spent per student in 2013 is down by more than half in
over 50% of the US. In fact, 26 states will spend less per student in
fiscal year 2013 than the year before and 35 are still spending at
levels lower than before the recession, after adjusting for inflation.
The truth is, we are going nowhere fast when it comes to financially
investing in the manufacturers of our future. The solution is for
CAD/CAM providers to change the way they think when it comes to
supplying education with cutting edge cnc machining software products.
We have to be smarter and make technology software implementation easier
for schools at all levels than ever before. Many providers offer
educational discounts, yet the costs are still well out of range. Not
only this but what about the student that graduates and enters the
workforce? If the student was trained on a $15,000-$20,000 CNC
Programming system, how are they going to take a seat with them to their
new employer? CNC Software for milling, turning, routing, water jet,
plasma or laser can cost a substantial amount of money. There must be a
solution to make NC programming technology more accessible to graduating
students.
Keeping Curriculums Fresh
Another
challenge for educators focuses on existing curriculums having to be
continuously updated and modified in order to keep them current with
manufacturing technology as it is developed moving forward. Again,
CAD/CAM providers must have programs in place which not only address
educational implementation, but that allow educators to keep them
updated on the fly. Ultimately, teachers need an abundant volume of
resources available to them, preferably online and accessible by mobile
devices. This includes tiered tutorials, corresponding and example CAD
Part Files, videos, knowledge based support, help files, Machine Post
Processors and all other product support and training resource that
empowers the teacher. Educator support should also be a phone call away.
Educators that have existing curriculums should be able to easily adapt
what they have to include CAD/CAM. This way implementation is simple
and saves a lot of time.
The Solution
Going
into 2014 the manufacturing industry is experiencing more growth. This
means that the demand for CAD-CAM software will be higher. As will the
need for CNC programmers that understand and know how to machine with
software. This is exactly why a "Manufacturers of The Future" program
is needed for education. A program that supports schools, teachers and
ultimately the students. Thus, ensuring that these students will have
the software they were educated on before they begin their new journey
into the manufacturing workforce.
Schools & Teachers
A"
Manufacturers of The Future"
program is a solution for schools and teachers at all levels that
prepares students for CNC manufacturing because it addresses the
challenges that today's schools and educators face when it comes to
implementation, curriculums and plain old affordability when they are
already working with tight budgets. A successful program for supporting
education would include the following:
- Makes individual and multi-station lab licenses very affordable
- Access to 2, 3, 4 and 5 axis cad-cam cnc software
- Provides no-cost Technical Support and Training Solutions to teachers
- Regularly updates training material to add resources
- Provides cnc machine post processors
- Keeps educators informed and successful
From access to online knowledge based cad-cam support
portals to multi-level software tutorials, training video products and
specialized one-on-one training, educators need this level of support.
Students
With
a Manufacturers of The Future "Work Ready" campaign, students receive
the support they need in low cost professional cad-cam software versions
so that they are ready and are more valuable as they start working in
manufacturing.
- "Work Ready" allows graduating students their software at reduced costs
- Available multimedia training solutions that they can take with them
- Continued Education & Advanced Online Operator Certification
These three items are critical for success. Students can
achieve more in their professions with them. As a student or teacher
there are solutions that exist to help teach and educate manufacturing
students. A Manufacturers of The Future and a Work Ready type program
created and provided by CAD-CAM vendors that get together to provide a
dynamic multi-level support system that accommodates all levels of
CAD/CAM products will be phenamenal. This would be the most productive
and helpful method possible. Who will step up and answer the call?
These are exciting times for education and the future of manufacturing.
BobCAD-CAM specializes in helping schools and teachers integrate
CNC Manufacturing Automation Technology into their curriculum.
BobCAD-CAM offers schools and teachers a "Manufacturers of The Future"
campaign to provide education with the best possible CAD-CAM products
and solutions including training products and certifications. For more
information on the Manufacturers of The Future program for schools,
teachers and students you can contact BobCAD-CAM directly at
877-262-2231 or 727-442-3554. Ask about the Student "Work-Ready" program
when you call.
