I would like to see more articles about CAD->CAM software. I think the 3D printers are pretty cool, but sometimes you need to cut a block instead of build it up. From what I've seen at Makezine, and Instructables, there are a notable number of DIY CNC machines out there. It would be nice to see CAM software affordable for these folks so they can spend more time making and less time futzing with kludgie software.
Beth, does the solid model actually get used to machine the part? If that's the case, how much automation does this bring to the process for the machinist?
You are right, Alex. We haven't written about CNC software lately. Most of the CAD vendors have some CNC integration and compatibilities, but it isn't a feature set that they readily talk up. It more likely that CNC vendors have their own proprietary programs that are tuned for particularities of their specialty systems. This was interesting to me because it was a variation of CAD for a very specific audience, that be users of CNC machines. So the idea is giving them just enough CAD without requiring them to invest in expensive CAD platforms to get the cursory functionality that they need.
This struck a chord as the first piece we've done on CNC software in a while. Do most CAD vendors offer CNC connectivity, or do CNC machines tend to have proprietary software to run the machine and that's it?
UK-based Plastic Logic and French company ISORG have created what the pair tout as a first in flexible printed electronics: a large area, conformable, organic image sensor printed on plastic.
For 3D printing to make the jump from rapid prototyping to manufacturing, engineers will need to find easier ways to move products from their CAD screens to their printers.
Gigabit and PoE are two networking technologies moving ahead in tandem as industrial users power remote Ethernet devices such as IP security cameras at 1,000 Mbps over existing CAT5 cable.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 5
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For industrial control applications, or even a simple assembly line, that machine can go almost 24/7 without a break. But what happens when the task is a little more complex? That’s where the “smart” machine would come in. The smart machine is one that has some simple (or complex in some cases) processing capability to be able to adapt to changing conditions. Such machines are suited for a host of applications, including automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, computers and electronics, telecommunications, consumer goods, and so on. This radio show will show what’s possible with smart machines, and what tradeoffs need to be made to implement such a solution.
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