CAM's converging byways

“Art to part” is an ancient catchphrase. But it's taking on new dimensions with advances in machine controllers, inter-machine communication, and design approaches.

There are many paths on the road from “art to part.” But the delivery of data from design to manufacturing (and back) has some new byways-and some new traffic on older avenues as well. Overall, movement in CAM's lesser-known neighborhood is a story of converging technologies.

Transferring design specifications into manufacturing has always been a challenge. For decades, as art moved to part, hand labor was essential. Yes, by the 1970s, computers were involved, but all of the silicon and plastic added up to a slightly more productive version of T-squares, compasses, 4H pencils, and tape-punching machines. Every step required a human hand to re-enter data and re-create geometry.