CAM (Computer-Aided Making) | Interior Architecture

CAM (Computer-Aided Making)

CAM is a variety of interdisciplinary computer-aided making facilities in the Department of Interior Architecture where students, faculty, and staff realize academic digital research in the physical realm.

CAM is a place where students are not only challenged but learn to test the design, production, and end-product of diverse interior spaces.  Students are encouraged to explore interactions between digital and analog methods of making, experiment with projects, and develop a greater understanding of how to implement digital fabrication into their designs.  In CAM, students can realize the digital world as tangible objects by converging computer-aided-design (CAD) with computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) technology. This intersection of CAD/CAM is made possible by students learning to speak the computing language of fabricators and develop a unique skill set that promotes and utilizes technology. CAM’s facilities have allowed for a new craft of model building and full-scale prototyping in interior design to emerge, where digital work meets rapid prototyping and high tech machinery.

CAM is open to all UNCG Interior Architecture students and UNCG students who are not enrolled in the Interior Architecture department.  All non-majors or supporting faculty must contact the digital fabrication director with any inquiries before the facilities are used.

CAM provides presentations and demonstrations of the digital fabrication equipment, which offer students an overview and introduction to the technologies.  UNCG faculty interested in having students integrate CAM fabrication into their class projects should contact the digital fabrication director via email.  For additional information, please refer to the Scope of Student/User Projects within the CAM Operations guide.

CAM is overseen by undergraduate volunteers, graduate assistants, and a director of digital fabrication.  The CAM assistants provide instruction and service to the department by processing all users’ digital fabrication files/ jobs for laser cutting, 3D printing, vinyl cutting, CNC milling, and the hot press.  The training of these individuals helps to ensure the equipment is correctly running and maintained. The assistants are there to guide students with questions and concerns.

CAM Operations is a detailed guide provided to all users of the Computer-Aided Making facilities and is required to be read before using any services or equipment.  The information contained within the document reviews the CAM policies, file set-up instruction, project scheduling, hours of operation, and troubleshooting tips.  Personal projects will not be processed or researched in CAM.  Only academic projects meeting the criteria outline in the Scope of Student/User Projects within the CAM Operations guide will be handled/studied with the equipment.  Please visit CAM in room 313 of the Gatewood Studio Arts Building to receive a digital copy of the CAM Operations and see the facilities.

Equipment

CAM has the following equipment:

  • 4’x2’ Universal laser cutter
  • 8’x5’x9” computer numeric controlled (CNC) 4-axis mill
  • 24”x18”x3” desktop CNC 3-axis mill
  • Robai Cryton Veta robotic arm
  • Zcorp 450 3D Printer
  • MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner
  • MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer
  • Roland CAMM-1 Pro Vinyl Cutter
  • Drytek mounting hot press

Support

CAM Laser Cutting Templates for download; please use Google Chrome for downloads on a Mac.

CAM Location

Gatewood Studio Arts Building, Room 313
527 Highland Avenue, Greensboro NC 27412

CAM Contact

Derek Toomes
Director of Technological Instruction
Department of Interior Architecture
Gatewood Studio Arts Building 102
(336) 334-5320