CADCAM的应用范围——计算机辅助设计外文翻译(中

1 英文原文Computer-aided design is the use of computer systems to facilitate the creation, modification, analySIS, and optimization of a design. In this context the term computer system means a combination of hardware and software. Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of a computer system to plan, manage, and control the opemtion of a manufacturing plant. An appreciation of the scope of CAD/CAM can be obtained by considering the stages that must be completed in the design and manufacture of a product, as illustmted by the product cycle shown in Fig. 5 . 8. The inner loop of this figure in~ludes the various steps in the product cycle and the outer loop shows some of the functions of CAD/CAM superimposed on the product cycle . Based on market and customer requirements, a product is conceived, which may well be a modification of previous products. This product is then designed in detail, including any required design analysis, and drawings and parts lists are prepared. Subsequently, the various components and assemblies are planned for production, which involves the selection of sequences of processes and machine tools and the estimation of cycle times, together with the determination of process parameters, such as feeds and speedsCJJ. When the product is in production, scheduling and control of manufacture take place, and the order and timing of each manufacturing step for each component and assembly is detemnned to meet an overall manufacturing schedule. The actual manufacturing and control of product quality then takes place according to the schedule and the final products are delivered to the customers. Computer-based procedures have been or are being developed to facilitate each of these stages in the product cycle, and these are shown in the outer loop of Fig. 5 . 8. Computer-aided design and drafting techniques have been developed. These allow a geometric model of the product and its components to be created in the computer. This model can tlIen be analyzed usi