CAM
Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is software that translates 3D CAD models into machine instructions — toolpaths, NC programs, and process plans — that drive CNC machines and other manufacturing equipment. CAM sits at the CAD-to-shop-floor boundary, consuming geometry and producing executable work instructions. In integrated PLM stacks, CAM is often managed alongside the engineering BOM so that manufacturing instructions stay synchronized with design revisions.
Why it matters
The CAD-CAM handoff is where design intent meets manufacturing reality. Breaks in this link — mismatched tolerances, stale toolpaths, revision misalignment — cause scrap, rework, and production delays. Thread-centric architectures treat the CAD model, the CAM program, and the mBOM as a governed continuum.
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “CAM.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/cam