SolidCAM Assists CNC Machine Shops in Adopting Additive Manufacturing

As we know, in the manufacturing industry, additive and subtractive technologies can be key resources when used complementarily. However, in many sectors, there are still barriers to the integration of 3D printing as a production method, whether due to costs, lack of knowledge or lack of qualified professionals. For these reasons, SolidCAM, a leading developer of CAM solutions, aims to ease the adoption of additive manufacturing. This is of particular interest in CNC machine shops, which specialize in machining methods, where the benefits that additive systems can bring are often overlooked. Thankfully, SolidCAM’s partnership with Desktop Metal has made additive manufacturing more accessible to machine shops.

A CNC machine shop is defined as an area where highly complex subtractive manufacturing methods are used. They generally use CNC machine tools and cutting technologies to manufacture metal or plastic parts, as well as other materials. Therefore, for them, it is interesting to consider incorporating additive manufacturing into production, including for prototyping and end-use parts. Furthermore, as 3D printing becomes increasingly important in low and medium volume production, it is a key tool for companies to be competitive in the market. This is where a solution like SolidCAM comes in. In conjunction with Desktop Metal and its Metal Binder Jetting technology, adoption is now much easier. Desktop metal’s Shop System is the first additive manufacturing platform that brings metal 3D printing to machine shops. Let’s look at what this process is all about and what benefits it brings to manufacturing companies.

The integration of additive manufacturing enables companies to be more competitive

Additive Manufacturing in CNC Machine Shops

One of the main issues that machine shops encounter when exploring additive manufacturing is that suppliers do not appreciate the demands and requirements of the environment. Solutions are needed that can execute part production quickly and at an acceptable cost. Because SolidCAM works with machines shops daily, providing them with CAM software for best programming of their CNC machines, SolidCAM understands the machine shop needs, in order to guide them to a process that makes sense and is cost effective. Both SolidCAM and Desktop Metal recognize that adoption involves much more than simply placing a metal 3D printer on the shop floor. It is important to have a thorough understanding of how to create an optimal in-house additive manufacturing infrastructure for production and its synergy with subtractive technologies.