Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of computer-based software tools that assist engineers and machinists in manufacturing or prototyping product components. CAM is a programming tool that makes it possible to manufacture physical models using Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs. CAM creates real life versions of components designed within a software package. CAM was first used in 1971 for car body design and tooling.

CAM has been considered as a Numerical Control (NC) programming tool wherein 3 Dimensional (3D) models of components generated in CAD software are used to generate CNC code to drive numerically controlled machine tools. CAM functions have expanded to integrate CAM more fully with CAD/CAM/CAE PLM solutions.

Numerical control (NC) refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to manually controlled via handwheels or levers or mechanically automated via cams alone. These early servomechanisms were rapidly augmented with analog and digital computers, creating the modern Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine tools that have revolutionized the design process.

In modern CNC systems, end-to-end component design is highly automated using CAD/CAM programs. The programs produce a computer file that is interpreted to extract the commands needed to operate a particular machine, and then loaded into the CNC machines for production. Since any particular component might require the use of a number of different tools - drills, saws, etc. - modern machines often combine multiple tools into a single "cell".

It’s a networking method, connecting two or more CNC machines to a single computer with CAM software. The advantages are

• Sharing the Purchased Software to many CNC machines.
• Multi-Tasking facility of the CAM software can be utilized.
• Repeated Tasks can be executed to enhance the productivity.
• Combines 2-D and 3-D paths in a single job.
• Supports virtually all CNC machines.

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is the process of removing metal through the use of electrical sparks which burn away the metal. CNC EDM comes in two forms, (1) Vertical EDM and (2) Wire EDM. Wire EDM is commonly used to make punch and die combinations for dies sets used in the fabrication industry. EDM is one of the lesser known CNC operations because generally it is so closely related to making tooling used with other manufacturing processes.