Uses of ICT in Business

Lesson Objectives

• To understand the advantages, features and uses of CAM

CAM – Computer Aided Manufacturing

• The use of computers to control the manufacturing process in some way by controlling manufacturing equipment such as lathes, drills, millers and robots.

• Many CAM systems are able to take the design produced by the CAD and feed it into the CAM system to make the product or component

Features of CAM packages

• Takes input from a CAD package and uses the information to produce a set of instructions to produce a new set of instructions to give to the machinery to create a product

• Used to program and control equipment• Products can be made automatically• CAM equipment can be reprogrammed to

make new products with different dimensions

Advantages of a CAM package

• Cheaper manufacturing – the process is automatic so costs are reduced

• Faster time from design to manufacturing – can produce components quickly

• Better quality products can be made i.e. No human mistakes by CAM

• Lower wage costs due to very little human involvement means goods can be produced cheaply as wage costs are lower

Advantages of a CAM package

• Machines can be re programmed to enable them to make new products

• Can make small quantities of products that would normally be uneconomical i.e.

Examples of CAM

• Used to manufacture components used in car engines

• Used in car manufacturing for gear boxes and engines

• Used to manufacture double glazing windows