Crossword Genius

Is used to produce film within confines of Panama Canal going all the way back (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cam

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the way back' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'is used to produce film within confines of panama canal going all' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'film' could be 'm' (Fritz Lang film) and 'm' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ca' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cam that I've seen before include "running into Great Ouse?" , "Rotating mechanism" , "Shaft on a rotating part of machine" , "River also called Granta" , "Shaft on a rotating part in machinery" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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