1. CAD/CAM You have created the net of your packaging in 2D Design, you have used CAD Computer Aided Design Compared to doing the work by hand you were able to easily change your designs, and if you print your final version out it is very precise and neat. Using the computer also means you were a lot faster. You could now print this file on card, and cut it up to create a prototype of your packaging.

2. CAD/CAM The traditional way of making up a prototype (a prototype is the first in a series of products) means that you need a skilled person, a variety of tools and a workshop. The designer would have to hand over detailed drawings to the craftsperson, who would make up the prototype in card, wood, clay or modelling foam, depending on the product. Usually this would be a slow process, and it would be quite expensive. To speed up protoyping several ways of CAM = Computer Aided Manufacture were developed.

3. CNC = Computer Numerically Controlled CNC machinery can be connected to a computer and make up a product in 2D or 3D. Examples: inkjet printer laser printer plotter CNC router laser cutter SLA CAD/CAM You are going to use a plotter to cut and score your packaging. Roland Camm 1 You have already used an inkjet printer to print a coloured version of your design.

4. CAD/CAM A laser cutter can cut sheet material like wood, acrylic, paper, and fabric up to a thickness of 15mm. The material is cut by a laser beam, effectively burning through it. Paper, wood and natural fibre fabrics will show scorch marks.

5. CAD/CAM CNC routers can cut 3D shapes. The simpler ones can move the cutting head along 3 axes. The 4 axes router above can cut more complicated shapes, including surface decoration.

6. Stereo Lithography Apparatus (SLA) Stereolithography doesn’t cut away from a block of material. The product is made from a liquid or powder resin that is hardened with a light beam. This means there is very little waste. You have to provide your design drawn in a 3D application like ProDesktop to use an SLA. Stereolithography allows you to create very intricate shapes in a relatively sort time. This is why this process is also called Rapid Prototyping. CAD/CAM

7. www.protocam.com/html/video.html CAD/CAM

8. Picture taken at Metropolitan Works, 07/07 CAD/CAM