**5.9 Evolution CAM systems. A brief presentation**

CAM systems had a significant development in the late 70's. In the 80's began the industrial deployment, allowing the programming of CNC machines via software, using CAD-CAM integration. However, with great limitations.

In the early 90's the development of hardware and software allowed the CAM systems could be run on personal computers. As a result, these systems have become more accessible for industry, which uses this technology successfully. Yet this time, can be mentioned some limitations in programming, such as:


In general, the post-processor is provided with the CAM software, and developed according

Tool paths CAM Simulation

Especific postprocessing

CNC programs simulator

CNC Machining

CNC Program

N10G91G28X0Y0Z0 N20G40G17G80G49 N30G0G90Z10. N40T1M6

%

*Cutter Location File* (CLF)

calculated by CAM

Fig. 18. Procedures required at this stage of post-processing generating CNC programs

CAM systems had a significant development in the late 70's. In the 80's began the industrial deployment, allowing the programming of CNC machines via software, using CAD-CAM

In the early 90's the development of hardware and software allowed the CAM systems could be run on personal computers. As a result, these systems have become more accessible for industry, which uses this technology successfully. Yet this time, can be mentioned some

 Errors in the calculated trajectories were common. Unnoticed damage could work (invading the piece), damage the tool or even the machine. Today, the calculated

 Calculations of the trajectories were extremely slow. By the end of the 90s, even using sophisticated computers, for the time, calculations of trajectories with more than 8 hours in duration were not hard to find. It was the practice of some users to leave

**5.9 Evolution CAM systems. A brief presentation** 

integration. However, with great limitations.

limitations in programming, such as:

trajectories are much safer.

to user requirements, and the CNC machine.

Postprocessing generator

Machine data

 CNC data

preparations for the calculation, several programs with the variable set and other items, and end of the day, requesting the initiation of the calculations (Bach processing). The computer performed the calculations at night to use the CNC program the next day. Processing times are reduced, allowing even the possibility of studying different paths to perform a specific machining.


Even with these difficulties, the use of CAM systems provided a significant evolution in the CNC programming process for the manufacture of moulds, dies and parts containing complex geometric shapes. After the mid-90s, industries requiring complex machining and did not have a platform CAD / CAM / CNC, were doomed to failure.

Today, CAM systems, 3-axis milling, are evolving at a level reaching its apex, the trajectories of the calculations and simulation. A market trend is the application of milling for 5 degrees of freedom. In this operation, apart from the machine and CNC, CAM system must also be able to calculate trajectories and simulation.
