CAD Overview
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Drawing with Solidworks
source : http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hm59eSo7C40/maxresdefault.jpg |
Starting
around the mid 1970s, as computer aided design systems began to provide
more capability than just an ability to reproduce manual drafting with
electronic drafting, the cost benefit for companies to switch to CAD
became apparent. The benefit of CAD systems over manual drafting are the
capabilities one often takes for granted from computer systems today;
automated generation of Bill of Material, auto layout in integrated
circuits, interference checking, and many others. Eventually CAD
provided the designer with the ability to perform engineering
calculations. During this transition, calculations were still performed
either by hand or by those individuals that could run computer programs.
CAD was a revolutionary change in the engineering industry, where
draftsmen, designers and engineering roles begin to merge. It did not
eliminate departments, as much as it merged departments and empowered
draftsman, designers and engineers. CAD is just another example of the
pervasive effect computers were beginning to have on industry. Current
computer-aided design software packages range from 2D
vector-based drafting systems to 3D
solid and
surface modelers.
Modern CAD packages can also frequently allow rotations in three
dimensions, allowing viewing of a designed object from any desired
angle, even from the inside looking out. Some CAD software is capable of
dynamic mathematical modeling, in which case it may be marketed as
CADD.
CAD
is used in the design of tools and machinery and in the drafting and
design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses)
to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and
factories).
[7]
CAD
is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings
of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering
process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength
and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing
methods of components. It can also be used to design objects.
Furthermore, many CAD applications now offer advanced rendering and
animation capabilities so engineers can better visualize their product
designs.
4D BIM is
a type of virtual construction engineering simulation incorporating
time or schedule related information for project management.
CAD has become an especially important technology within the scope of
computer-aided technologies,
with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly
shortened design cycle. CAD enables designers to layout and develop work
on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, saving time on
their drawings.
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