The Future of Computer Aided Manufacturing and Fabrication

Summary

CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) and fabrication services play a vital role in any medium-to-large manufacturing business operations. CAM and fabrication services help incorporate automation into the fabrication process, moving production along as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The industry is facing several challenges in this sector, and manufacturers need to be properly prepared. Let's dive right in: What does the future of CAM and fabrication look like, and what changes are heading our way in the not-too-distant future?

What is CAM, and why is it important?

CAM is the use of computer-controlled machinery and software to automate a number of manufacturing processes. It has surged in popularity in recent years thanks to a number of advancements in how it can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows.
 
In essence, CAM requires the following three components:

• Industrial machinery that is able to turn raw materials into a finished product
• Software that can communicate to a machine how to make a product by generating toolpaths
• The toolpath is post-processed and converted into a language that a machine is able to understand and act upon

For manufacturers, CAM provides a CAM provides a virtual workshop for machine tooling. For end users, CAM provides a realistic simulation of the final product.

Automating previously arduous processes is the reason CAM has grown so rapidly in recent years, with manufacturers both big and small investing in the software.
 

The CAM market evolution

Unfortunatley, any of the people in the CAM industry who possess the most knowledge of this technology are retiring soon. The knowledge gap may cause short-to-medium term issues for many companies. Senior managers at companies across the globe are looking for new ways to ensure that service levels within their CAM divisions don’t drop off in the coming years.

One solution involves embedding Artificial Intelligence (AI) into future applications. AI could be generatively programmed in for the new users, providing guidance from the soon-to-retire experts.
 

Optimization in the CAM domain

Companies need to develop CAM software that works well with the machines users plan use it with. Every aspect of the software should be optimized with the machine in mind.
 
There’s no denying that there will be a clear shift in the way CAM is developed and used by manufacturers around the world. Those who develop the software must stay ahead of the curve where possible, ensuring that they mitigate the risks of losing experienced staff anticipate the needs and expectations of manufacturint firms in years to come.