CAM Programming

Computer-Aided Manufacturing programming: the process of generating toolpath instructions for CNC machine tools from 3D CAD geometry. Includes selecting cutting strategies, tools, speeds, feeds, and generating post-processed NC code for a specific machine controller.

Why it matters

CAM programming is a bottleneck between design release and first article. AI-assisted CAM reduces programming time for standard features by 60-80%, compressing the design-to-first-article cycle.

Cite this definition

Finocchiaro, Michael. “CAM Programming.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/cam-programming