NC Directions

Contact: Tom Smith

2410 Stuart Count
Madison, Wisconsin 53704
U.S.

Phone: (608) 244-8604
Fax: (608) 244-4196

E-mail

Just what is CAD/CAM anyway?


When I started drawing structural steel in 1964, pencils, T-squares, dividers, and other types of hand tools especially erasers were the tools of the trade. A very good working knowledge of math was also important. And, a great deal of care was necessary to produce a drawing that was clean and neat. Mistakes were often impossible to repair and could lead to a complete redrawing.

CAD is an abbreviation for Computer Aided Drafting. Very simply stated it means using a computer software program to draw a geometric shape. While this is much faster and most of the math is processed by the computer, many new or poorly trained users quite literally make mistakes at the speed of light without even knowing. However, to a knowledgeable user these mistakes are easily found. Correcting or editing a design can be done easily and cleanly. Only in extreme cases does the drawing need to be redrawn completely.

CAM is an abbreviation for Computer Aided Manufacturing. Here we use the CAD drawings to actually produce the machine code needed to manufacture the actual part depicted in the drawing. There are several software programs which can do this by using machine specific post processors written in a language the software program can communicate with. There are several such software programs with varying degrees of success. I use Mastercam® because I believe it to be the best available.
What is a post processor?

A post processor (post) is the code file that contains the translation directions which enables the CAM software to generate the machine specific code needed by a machine tool control. Different controls need different language. These posts may also be edited to generate information in a desired order, include messages for the operator, or other similar information such as date lines.

Through Mastercam® I have hundreds of posts available for a wide variety of controls. I also edit them when needed.

NC Directions™ started in 1996 when I began receiving requests from local shops that knew me. By 1997 these requests grew into a business that was taking all of my weekday free time and most weekends. In January of 1998 I just did not have the time to continue to do both, so I left my programming job and stepped out full time with my business.

NC Directions™ began by helping shops by providing CAD/CAM capabilities they did not have. These beginnings have formed us to meet your needs in keeping up with the latest technology. Competition is becoming more intense all the time, so your shop time must continue to be more productive and profitable. Training time, hardware cost, software cost, and continual updating are too expansive for most shops.

NC Directions™ is here to provide competitive technology for your you on a regular basis, or to provide the occasional boost when needed.

Our only business is to keep up with advances in technology and serve you!

In other words, your success is vital to our future.

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Do you have an occasional or temporary need for experienced CAD/CAM help?


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Do you need help but do not have the hardware or software in house to bring in that help?


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Have down-sizing or budget limitations left you short handed?


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Do you have an occasional job that is somewhat beyond the capabilities of your staff or software?


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Expand your vendor list. Many shops have CNC machines but can not program complex parts. We can program your parts so you can use these shops!

I have over 30 years in the mechanical and machining fields and have been involved in both design and manufacture.
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In 1992 I returned to Madison Area Technical College. My focus was CAD/CAM, CNC and programming. I was a full time night student while working full time days running a machine shop. After two years I accumulated 72 credits and a 3.96 GPA.
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In 1994 I entered Mastercam®'s Wildest Part Contest and won 1st place in the instructor division.
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I have been certified by the State of Wisconsin to teach all of the 420 series courses in the Machine Tool Technics Program at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin. I taught part time at Madison Area Technical College from 1994 to 2000.
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I began freelance programming and design in 1996. By January 1998 I had to resign my programming job in order to devote my time to my business.