Produce computer aided design and manufacturing prototypes for jewellery or silverware
Overview
This standard covers the skills to design, develop and produce new prototypes using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology. You will be required to produce CAD designs that have taken account of common manufacturing issues to ensure designs are workable, transfer the design data to CAM systems, and manufacture prototypes using this technology.
You must also ensure that you understand what you need to do to carry out the required activities and the standards of workmanship that you will be required to achieve. You will be expected to take personal responsibility for your own actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- research ways to produce products using CAD and CAM in line with project needs
- use the software specified for the required design in line with project needs
- report problems with faulty equipment or software operation in line with workplace instructions
- use CAD software to produce designs for different jewellery or silverware projects in line with industry best practice
- design out common issues which may cause problems or delays when manufacturing the product in line with industry best practice
- transfer the design data to CAM systems in line with workplace instructions
- produce sample prototypes of new products using CAM equipment in line with project needs
- refine designs using prototypes in line with project needs
- store files and folders in line with workplace instructions
- check the work for defects in line with project needs
- take action to rectify any defects detected in line with industry best practice
- complete the work to the given specification in line with workplace instructions
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- safety precautions to be taken when working with CAD and CAM machinery
- how to use CAD workstation software and hardware
- common faults with CAD/CAM techniques and processes and who to report them to
common manufacturing problems with different equipment and materials and how to avoid these in the design stages of production
principles of computer generated graphics and drafting skills
how to inspect for errors on any CAD/CAM designs made, and actions to take
- documentation to be completed at the end of the CAD/CAM activities
- mathematical calculations used in design
- how to interpret drawn images
- current engineering drawing practice conventions
- CAM techniques and processes
- how to review and refine designs based on prototypes
- how to check that the final prototype meets the needs of the specification
- best practice in CAD and CAM within chosen jewellery industry
- the importance of following the given specification and timescales
- common model defects and ways to rectify these