CNC Machinery Online Information

Technology is the most influential business sector changing the shape of the economy and everyday life in the 21st century. Its reach extends far into the manufacturing world, and, in the last four decades, technology has made its irreversible mark with NC, DNC, CNC, CAM, and CAD.

Now the industry is wondering where manufacturing technology, and specifically CAD/CAM technology, is headed in the future. To help answer that question, AMERICAN MACHINIST Editor Tom Grasson and Publisher Joe Fristik assembled eleven top manufacturing-software executives and asked them pertinent questions about industry growth, challenges, trends, and wisdom. Industry leaders noted similar concerns, but had varying solutions about how to approach new trends and satisfy the increasing needs of customers.

Fulton: I think we will see continued growth because there is a lot of change occurring especially in the manufacturing industry. There are a lot of new inexpensive 4, 5, and C-axis machines coming to market. These machines require new generation CAM systems. There are always changes to operating systems and right now there is a huge trend towards solids. About 80% of our sales currently involve some sort of solids machining. As long as there is change, and I think there will continue to be lots of change, end users will need next generation CAM products to stay competitive.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/8124/Issue