CAD to CAM to CNC: How a Design Becomes a Part
About this film
Lovely drawing. Where's the actual part?
Classification
- Series
- How the Hell Is That Made?
- Topic
- CAD to CAM to CNC
- Length
- 0:51
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2026-10-21
What you are seeing
An animated short from How the Hell Is That Made?. Bronto, a green dinosaur in a navy suit, narrates over illustrations, with captions on screen.
Transcript
Lovely drawing. Where's the actual part?
Computer-aided design describes the shape. Computer-aided manufacturing helps plan how to make it, including the toolpaths for this machining example.
The machine then needs suitable instructions for its particular control and configuration. People still prepare the tools, material and setup.
Autodesk Fusion is one software example connecting design and manufacturing. It isn't the only option, and clicking ‘save’ doesn't cause a metal bracket to appear on your desk.
Simulation can help check the plan. The real result still needs checking.
A screenshot is not a shipment.
Follow the digital-to-physical journey at Machine Blue Book.
Source and rights
Produced by The Machine Blue Book. Bronto is a synthetic voice.