COMPUTER

AIDED DESIGN(CAD)
C

SUBMITTED TO:INDERJEET SINGH SIR

Introduction to CAD
CAD (Computer Aided Design) is the use of computer software to design and
document a product’s design process.

Engineering drawing entails the use of graphical symbols such as points, lines,
curves, planes and shapes. Essentially, it gives detailed description about any
component in a graphical form.
Background
Engineering drawings have been in use for more than 2000 years. However, the
use of orthographic projections was formally introduced by the French
mathematician Gaspard Monge in the eighteenth century.

Since visual objects transcend languages, engineering drawings have evolved

and become popular over the years. While earlier engineering drawings were
handmade, studies have shown that engineering designs are quite
complicated. A solution to many engineering problems requires a combination
of organization, analysis, problem solving principles and a graphical
representation of the problem. Objects in engineering are represented by a
technical drawing (also called as drafting) that represents designs and
specifications of the physical object and data relationships. Since a technical
drawing is precise and communicates all information of the object clearly, it
has to be precise. This is where CAD comes to the fore.

CAD stands for Computer Aided Design. CAD is used to design, develop and
optimize products. While it is very versatile, CAD is extensively used in the
design of tools and equipment required in the manufacturing process as well
as in the construction domain. CAD enables design engineers to layout and to
develop their work on a computer screen, print and save it for future editing.

When it was introduced first, CAD was not exactly an economic proposition
because the machines at those times were very costly. The increasing
computer power in the later part of the twentieth century, with the arrival of
minicomputer and subsequently the microprocessor, has allowed engineers to
use CAD files that are an accurate representation of the dimensions properties
of the object.
Use of CAD
CAD is used to accomplish preliminary design and layouts, design details and
calculations, creating 3-D models, creating and releasing drawings, as well as
interfacing with analysis, marketing, manufacturing, and end-user personnel.

CAD facilitates the manufacturing process by transferring detailed information

about a product in an automated form that can be universally interpreted by
trained personnel. It can be used to produce either two-dimensional or
threedimensional diagrams. The use of CAD software tools allow the object to
be viewed from any angle, even from the inside looking out. One of the main
advantages of a CAD drawing is that the editing is a fast process as compared
to manual method. Apart from detailed engineering of 2D or 3D models, CAD is
widely used from conceptual design and layout of products to definition of
manufacturing of components. CAD reduces design time by allowing precise
simulation rather than build and test physical prototypes. Integrating CAD with
CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) streamlines the product development
even more.

CAD is currently widely used for industrial products, animated movies and
other applications. A special printer or plotter is usually required for printing
professional design renderings. CAD programs use either vector-based graphics
or raster graphics that show how an object will look.

CAD software enables:-

Efficiency in the quality of design

Increase in the Engineer’s productivity

Improve record keeping through better documentation and communication

Today, the use of CAD has permeated almost all industries. From aerospace,
electronics to manufacturing, CAD is used in all industry verticals. Since CAD
encourages creativity and speeds up productivity, it is becoming more and
more useful as an important tool for visualization before actually implementing
a manufacturing process. That is also one of the reasons CAD training is gaining
more and more importance.

Types of CAD Software

Since its introduction in late 1960’s, CAD software has improved by leaps and
bounds. A broad classification of CAD is:

• 2D CAD
• 3D CAD
• 3D Wireframe and Surface Modelling
• Solid Modelling

Types of CAD Software

2 Dimensional CAD (2D CAD)

2D CAD is the pioneer of CAD software, and was developed in the early 70s. At
that time, major automobile, aerospace and other engineering companies
developed in-house tools to automate repetitive drafting requirements. 2D CAD
relies on basic geometric shapes like lines, rectangles, circles, etc. to produce flat
drawings. These types of softwares have been first developed way back in
1970’s.

AutoDesk is one of the pioneering companies that has played a significant role in
developing CAD software.

3 Dimensional CAD (3D CAD)

3D CAD is a step up from the 2D CAD software of yesteryears. As the processing
power of computers increased and the graphic display capabilities improved, 3D
CAD has become an increasingly popular design tool. 3D CAD allows creation
of 3D images that are realistic. These images are called 3D models as they can be
viewed and rotated in any direction – X, Y or Z. You can also display views from
a 3D model, such as isometrics or perspectives, from any angle using 3D CAD.
3D CAD tools were introduced in 1980’s by a partnership between IBM-Dassults.
3D CAD quickly became popular because of enhanced visual capability.
The rapid advancement of 3D software today has helped quick turnaround in
product design, giving birth to the concept for product lifecycle management
(PLM). A few of today’s leading 3D CAD software includes SolidEdge and
SolidWorks. Of course, with the vast array of tools, professional training is
needed to master these tools.

There is yet another way of classifying CAD software - in terms of their operating
parameters. Once you understand these parameters, you can optimize the CAD
software properly. A little training should help you go a long way!

Single-file-mode systems - This type of CAD software allows only a single user
to work on a single file at a time.

Referenced-file-mode systems - In this type of CAD software, users can work

on their own files with the files of other users attached as a background. This
enables users to levergae other users' work as background data.

Collaborative-mode systems - These CAD systems take the referenced-mode

system to the next level. They allow a team of users to collaboratively work with
each other's data and see the changes other users make to the data as they go. And
of course, the giants in this field (for example AutoCAD) can be used in different
modes of a operation.

3D CAD can be further classified as:

Wire-frame models – they create skeleton like models with lines and arcs. Since
they appear to be made of wires, and everything in the background is visible, they
are called wire-frame models. They are not very popular anymore.

Surface models – unlike wire frames, these models are created by joining 3D
surfaces. Since nothing in the background is visible, the surface models are quite
realistic.

Solid models – they are considered to be the most useful CAD models. Although
they appear to be the same as surface models, they also have additional properties
like weight, volume and density, just like actual physical objects. These models
are commonly used as prototypes to study engineering designs.
 BY: RAJ
KUMAR SINGH
 2k18/ME/169