What is CAx? The PLM arena is crowded with concepts, theories, and acronyms. For the newcomer, it's a lot to sift through while trying to stay in the know. If you are just entering the PLM domain, this little primer will help.
CAx is an acronym that collectively refers to three different applications: CAD, CAE, and CAM. These are the foundational PLM data authoring/creation applications as they are long-established and most directly represent the physical product in the digital world. We will concisely review each of them and introduce related terms and expressions.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
This is the big one. CAD software is the oldest and most developed PLM component. It has the largest installed base and is still the biggest seller; it's key to understanding what is CAx. Using CAD, product designers and engineers build virtual representations of parts, assemblies, and entire products. This includes 2-D drawings and 3-D fully-defined mathematical models. The most advanced CAD applications produce models that can be used downstream by CAE, CAM, and Visualization/Rendering packages.
There are many terms related to CAD but you are bound to hear drawing, isometric projection, exploded view, tabular part-family drawing, math/solid model, geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T), and product manufacturing information (PMI) often.
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)
Engineers use CAE software to analyze how parts will act under the static or dynamic (and often cyclic) loads they are expected to encounter while in service. It is the second component of knowing what is CAx. Using CAE, engineers can decide if products are under-designed (could fail prematurely under normal operating conditions) or over-engineered (considered much too heavy or expensive for their intended use). This allows them to test several designs before an expensive, physical prototype is needed.
Terms like finite element method/analysis (FEM/FEA), pre- and post-processing, design optimization, and digital validation are associated with CAE software.
Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
This software mechanizes the creation of a physical part or product. It is the key third leg of what is CAx. CAM technology is used to operate welding, milling, cutting, or sewing machines, lathes, lasers, and a host of other production plant equipment. Integrated CAD/CAM solutions allow engineers to build 3-D CAD models and feed them directly into the CAM software to create the pre-programmed, sequenced movements that drive the production machines.
Terms like computer numerical control (CNC) and programmed tool paths pertain to CAM software.
There are no stupid questions when it comes to PLM technology. PLM is an important set of enterprise applications that- when understood and embraced by everyone in your organization- will impact the cost, quality, and delivery of your product more than any other technology. And there's nothing more important to a manufacturing company than the product it makes.
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