Introduction

What is Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)?

"Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is the use of software and computer-controlled machinery to automate a manufacturing process.

Based on that definition, you need three components for a CAM system to function:

• Software that tells a machine how to make a product by generating toolpaths.

• Machinery that can turn raw material into a finished product.

• Post Processing that converts toolpaths into a language machines can understand.

These three components are glued together with tons of human labor and skill. As an industry we’ve spent years building and refining the best manufacturing machinery around. Today, there’s no design too tough for any capable machinist shop to handle."

What is G-Code?

G-code is the operational language for CNC machining. It tells numerically controlled lathes and machining centers how to move tools in order to perform various cutting operations. Here is a great resource on a great website that has a lot of information: