Abstract: A method for virtual machining and inspection of a three-dimensional virtual workpiece representative of an actual workpiece comprising: creating a three-dimensional tool model; defining a tool path through the virtual workpiece; creating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the three-dimensional tool model; and passing each of said plurality of two-dimensional slices along the tool path and through the virtual workpiece; wherein material from the virtual workpiece coming into contact with each of said plurality of two-dimensional slices passed there through is subtracted from the virtual workpiece; and conducting a virtual inspection of the virtual work piece.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing for concurrent product and process design, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part establishing a coordinate system; and creating a master product and process concurrent model comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank; where the manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The method also includes generating a product drawing of the actual part; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured automated CAD/CAM manufacturing process, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; creating a master process model comprising: virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank; capturing manufacturing process rules in a spread sheet; and the spread sheet exhibiting an associative relationship with the master process model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing for concurrent product and process design, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part establishing a coordinate system; creating a master product and process concurrent model comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank; the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; generating a product drawing of the actual part; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a part manufactured thereby, of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing for alternate operations, comprising: selecting a blank for machining an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; creating a master process model, and generating machining instructions to create an actual part by machining a manufacturing feature into the blank. Also included in the method is: generating an alternate master process model as an extracted 3-D model from the master process model; virtual machining of the 3-D model; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part. The method also includes: generating a junior master process model comprising: a 3-D model generated from the master process model; virtual machining of the 3-D model; and finally, generating machining instructions to create the actual part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing process for fixtures and tooling comprising: selecting a contact area geometry; generating a tooling model corresponding to the contact area geometry; virtual machining the tooling model to generate the fixtures and tooling; and generating machining instructions to create the fixtures and tooling; where the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry. Also disclosed herein is a horizontally structured CAD/CAM model for fixtures and tooling, comprising: a selected contact area geometry; a tooling model that corresponds to the contact area geometry, generated from the selected contact area geometry; where the tooling model includes virtual machining operations to generate the fixtures and tooling; and the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing, comprising establishing a coordinate system and a master process model. Virtual machining of a virtual blank is modeled to facilitate establishing machining instructions to create an actual part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling, comprising: establishing a coordinate system; adding a base feature; adding a form feature; where the form feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Also disclosed herein is a horizontally structured CAD/CAM model, comprising: a coordinate system; a base feature; a form feature; where the form feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Further disclosed is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling. The storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement the method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing. Additionally disclosed is a computer data signal for horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling. The computer data signal comprising code configured to cause a processor to implement a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing for fixtures and tooling comprising: selecting a contact area geometry; creating extracts from a master process model; generating a tooling model corresponding to the contact area geometry; virtual machining the tooling model to generate the fixtures and tooling; and generating machining instructions and drawings to create the fixtures and tooling; where the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry.