3D software CAD/CAM technology is developing rapidly. The scope of application is expanding. It is involved in molds such as forging dies, dies, injection dies, extrusion dies, and die casting dies. At present, the 3D software CAD/CAM software applied in China's 3D software industry can be divided into two categories: one is the CAD/CAM commonly used in the mechanical industry, such as Unigraphics (UG), SOLIDEDGE, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro/Engneer, etc. The second is a three-dimensional software CAD/CAM system developed specifically for the three-dimensional software industry, such as the cold die CAD system developed by the National Engineering Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University.
(1) Application status of domestic 3D software CAD/CAM technology
After several decades of development, the domestic CAD/CAM technology is also widely used. Some domestic companies have also introduced some CAD/CAE systems from abroad, such as: SOLIDEDGE, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Unigraphics (UG), Pro/Engineer, etc. And equipped with high performance, fast running computer. However, some large-scale 3D software companies in China directly apply CAD/CAM systems, and rarely have secondary development in their technology, and the resource utilization rate is low. However, for some small and medium-sized 3D software companies in China, they have few applications for CAD/CAM. Some just stay in the computer instead of the drawing board. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the domestic status of CAD/CAM applications, and get better improvements in quality, cost and speed.
(2) Application status of foreign 3D software CAD/CAM technology
The emphasis on CAD/CAM technology in foreign countries is very high. Some large 3D software manufacturers have made large investments in CAD/CAM and are vigorously developing this technology. At present, in some developed countries, especially the United States, Japan and Germany, the application of CAD/CAM technology is very common. For example, in 1965, Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan used CNC for 3D software processing. In the early 1980s, the cover die CAD/CAM system was adopted. The system includes NTDFB and CADEIT software for designing covers and TINCA software for machining convex and concave molds. The clay model was measured using a coordinate measuring machine and the data was sent to a computer. After the obtained pattern is smoothed, these pieces of data are used for the design and manufacture of the cover design and the die. The system has a strong three-dimensional graphics function, which can repeatedly modify the shape of the surface on the screen, so that the workpiece does not cause process defects during stamping, thus ensuring the quality of the three-dimensional software and the workpiece. The 3D software profile is stored in a database, and TINCA software can use this data to perform CNC machining of 3D software profiles.