UNIT 40: COMPUTER AIDED MANUFACTURING AND PLANNING
Unit 40: Computer Aided Manufacturing and
Planning
Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners examine manufacturing-process automation and planning using computer software and
technology. Learners will simulate the manufacture of a component.
Unit introduction
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is used extensively to manufacture products efficiently
and effectively by world-class-manufacturing organisations. CAM involves the control by software
of machine tools and associated systems to produce components. These systems are used to
automate and plan the manufacture of products and components, such as cars, computers and
medical devices, efficiently and effectively.
In this unit, you will investigate how CAM systems are used in the efficient and effective planning
and manufacture of products. They are used to increase the profitability of manufacturing
organisations by reducing manufacturing costs, improving quality and being more responsive to
customer needs. For example, machining metal is time consuming and expensive, so a ‘right first
time’ approach is a crucial aspect of economic manufacture. You will explore how the manufacturing
process can be automated by moving materials and components efficiently between the machine
tools and workstations that make up a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). You will also simulate
the manufacture of a component from a given specification, using computer-aided design (CAD)
software to draw it and CAM software to simulate the manufacture.
As an engineer, it is important to understand the manufacturing planning systems and process and
how to create products and/or components through the use of CAM systems. This unit will help to
prepare you for a manufacturing engineering apprenticeship and will also help you if you want to
work in a manufacturing technician role. Alternatively, you could choose to study engineering in
higher education.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Examine the benefits, technology and applications of computer-aided
manufacturing systems that improve the operation
B Develop a virtual component on a computer-aided manufacturing system that
simulates its manufacture
C Investigate planning documentation used to optimise the workflow and initiate
manufacture in the operation.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering – 479
Specification – Issue 8 – May 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021
, UNIT 40: COMPUTER AIDED MANUFACTURING AND PLANNING
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Recommended
assessment approach
A Examine the benefits, A1 Benefits and applications of A report to investigate the
technology and applications CAM systems benefits and technology used
of computer-aided A2 Technology used in CAM in industrial CAM systems that
manufacturing systems that systems will improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of the
improve the operation
manufacturing operation.
Evidence should include the
benefits and applications that
are related to the technology.
B Develop a virtual B1 Model a component in To develop a CAD suitable for
component on a computer- preparation for manufacture, and transfer to
aided manufacturing system manufacture a CAM system, to simulate a
that simulates its B2 Simulate the manufacture component, using graphical
of a component or virtual reality. To verify
manufacture
and optimise the simulated
B3 Quality control checks on a
component ensuring it meets
virtual component
the specification and is fit
for the purpose intended.
The evidence should include,
CAD drawings, CAM program,
screenshots of the processes,
and inspection documentation.
C Investigate planning C1 Manufacturing plan To investigate planning
documentation used to C2 Schedule for manufacture documentation and create
optimise the workflow and a range of comprehensive
C3 Product and/or component
initiate manufacture in the industrial production –
specification for
planning documents to plan
operation manufacture
for customer demand and
manufacture. To produce
schedules for a range of
products and order quantities.
The report needs to justify and
create the most appropriate
planning and scheduling
documentation for a CAM
system. Evidence should
include examples of planning
and scheduling documentation.
480 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering –
Specification – Issue 8 – May 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021
Unit 40: Computer Aided Manufacturing and
Planning
Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners examine manufacturing-process automation and planning using computer software and
technology. Learners will simulate the manufacture of a component.
Unit introduction
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is used extensively to manufacture products efficiently
and effectively by world-class-manufacturing organisations. CAM involves the control by software
of machine tools and associated systems to produce components. These systems are used to
automate and plan the manufacture of products and components, such as cars, computers and
medical devices, efficiently and effectively.
In this unit, you will investigate how CAM systems are used in the efficient and effective planning
and manufacture of products. They are used to increase the profitability of manufacturing
organisations by reducing manufacturing costs, improving quality and being more responsive to
customer needs. For example, machining metal is time consuming and expensive, so a ‘right first
time’ approach is a crucial aspect of economic manufacture. You will explore how the manufacturing
process can be automated by moving materials and components efficiently between the machine
tools and workstations that make up a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). You will also simulate
the manufacture of a component from a given specification, using computer-aided design (CAD)
software to draw it and CAM software to simulate the manufacture.
As an engineer, it is important to understand the manufacturing planning systems and process and
how to create products and/or components through the use of CAM systems. This unit will help to
prepare you for a manufacturing engineering apprenticeship and will also help you if you want to
work in a manufacturing technician role. Alternatively, you could choose to study engineering in
higher education.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Examine the benefits, technology and applications of computer-aided
manufacturing systems that improve the operation
B Develop a virtual component on a computer-aided manufacturing system that
simulates its manufacture
C Investigate planning documentation used to optimise the workflow and initiate
manufacture in the operation.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering – 479
Specification – Issue 8 – May 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021
, UNIT 40: COMPUTER AIDED MANUFACTURING AND PLANNING
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Recommended
assessment approach
A Examine the benefits, A1 Benefits and applications of A report to investigate the
technology and applications CAM systems benefits and technology used
of computer-aided A2 Technology used in CAM in industrial CAM systems that
manufacturing systems that systems will improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of the
improve the operation
manufacturing operation.
Evidence should include the
benefits and applications that
are related to the technology.
B Develop a virtual B1 Model a component in To develop a CAD suitable for
component on a computer- preparation for manufacture, and transfer to
aided manufacturing system manufacture a CAM system, to simulate a
that simulates its B2 Simulate the manufacture component, using graphical
of a component or virtual reality. To verify
manufacture
and optimise the simulated
B3 Quality control checks on a
component ensuring it meets
virtual component
the specification and is fit
for the purpose intended.
The evidence should include,
CAD drawings, CAM program,
screenshots of the processes,
and inspection documentation.
C Investigate planning C1 Manufacturing plan To investigate planning
documentation used to C2 Schedule for manufacture documentation and create
optimise the workflow and a range of comprehensive
C3 Product and/or component
initiate manufacture in the industrial production –
specification for
planning documents to plan
operation manufacture
for customer demand and
manufacture. To produce
schedules for a range of
products and order quantities.
The report needs to justify and
create the most appropriate
planning and scheduling
documentation for a CAM
system. Evidence should
include examples of planning
and scheduling documentation.
480 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas in Engineering –
Specification – Issue 8 – May 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021
