The computer draughtsman

Attention is given to the Manufacturing and Consulting services (MCS) Anvil 4000 computer-aided design and manufacturing system used by a British aerospace company. The considered system is one of the family of three-dimensional CAD/CAM systems now available. Designs can now be developed and drawings produced using a graphics display terminal. Tapes or on-line data can be generated to drive a plotter, which then produces the drawing automatically. The computer data can then be used as a geometric basis for numerically controlled (NC) machine programmers to define the cutter paths required to manufacture the part. The experience which an American aircraft manufacturer had with CAD/CAM system is also discussed. The manufacturer is unconvinced that the higher design speeds resulting from CAD/CAM actually save money. The aim in introducing CAD/CAM has been to improve quality, and the company appears to be happy with the result.