S.V.

SATISH

I. INTRODUCTION TO CAD
Now it is the Era of Digital computers.
Computers are now used in industries to aid in design, manufacturing,

process planning, production management, quality control etc.

The popular acronyms CAD/CAM/CIM stand for Computer Aided Design/

Computer Aided Manufacturing/ Computer Integrated Manufacturing.

The new technology has Integrated the traditionally two distinct functions

i.e., design and manufacturing together.

CAD/CAM forms the basis for this new technology to lead to what is known

as Computer Integrated Industries.

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Definition of CAD
The creation, modification, analysis and optimization of a
new component using a computer.
CAD involves three major elements- CAD Hardware, Software and User
The primary functions of CAD involve design, analysis and application

to manufacturing.
In an Engineering sense CAD also incorporates Finite Element

Analysis, Stress analysis, Heat Transfer analysis, Fluid Flow analysis,

etc
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CAD in a sense represents the evolution of graphical

representation of information on a computer.

The origin of CAD technology can be tracked back to the

development of Interactive Computer Graphics (ICG), and the
graphical representation of computers, in turn, can be tracked
back to the beginning of digital computers.

The milestone in the development of computer graphics was

created by the pioneering works Ivan Sutherland.
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In 1963, in his PhD thesis, describing a system called Sketch Pad, began
laying the theoretical basis for computer graphics.

That Sketch Pad was developed under the SAGE (Semi Automatic Ground
Environment) project, a defense project of U.S. Air-Force.

Pictures could be displayed on the screen and manipulated by the user

with a light pen.

This proved the potential for a CRT as designers electronic drawing board
with graphical operations such as scaling, translation, rotation, animation
and stimulation.

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Similarly, the evolution of CAD/CAM systems has

occurred over the past three decades.
In 1960s, the first ever two-dimensional (2D) drafting
systems were developed.
Later the 2D systems were extended to 3D models, and led
to the development of Wire-Frame modeling systems.
Surface and Solid Modeling systems were developed only
in the 1970s.

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Later the Solid modeling led to the application programs

like numeric control (NC) codes and automated mesh
generation.
A volume representation of the part is required for
performing Topological validity checks.
Some of the popular softwares are I-DEAS (from SDRC),
PRO-Engineer (from Parametric Technology Corporation),
Unigraphics (from EDS)

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Product cycle

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There are 5 basic reasons for using a CAD system:

1.

To improve the productivity of the designer:

2. To improve the quality of design:

3. To improve communication:
4. To create a Database for Manufacturing :
5. Multiple/Group Performance:

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1. To improve the productivity of the designer:

This is achieved by assisting the designer to

visualize the product, its sub assemblies, and

reducing the time required in synthesizing,
analyzing and storing the design.
This reduces the time and cost involved in a

project.
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2. To improve the quality of design

A CAD system performs a thorough engineering

analysis, and selects the optimum design among the

various design alternatives.
It eliminates design errors and brings in accuracy in

the design product, thereby resulting in a quality

product.

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3. To improve communication:
A CAD system also provides high quality engineering

drawings.
This results in standardization, better

documentation, fewer errors and greater legibility.

This helps to read and implement the design into

production.

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4. To create a Database for Manufacturing :

A CAD system is capable of producing the required

database like dimensions, material specification, bill

of material (BOM), quantity if products required,
etc., while the product is being designed.
This data is essential in planning, manufacturing and

inspection activities.

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5. Multiple/Group Performance:
A CAD system also has the capability to allow for multi user or

members of the project group to perform on the same product.

Like for example a component designed and stored in a library

by one member can be accessed by another member for use to

produce an assembly.
Similarly, various users can access others design (various

options available to modify/not to modify a part created by the

original designer) and make use to execute the project.

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A designer performs the complete design process

by putting his capabilities into the CAD system.

A basic design process is an iterative procedure

which involves various steps/phases.

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1. Recognition of need.
2. Definition of the problem.
3. Synthesis.
4. Analysis and optimization.
5. Evaluation.
6. Presentation.

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Recognition
of Need
Definition of
problem

Synthesis

Analysis and
Optimization

Evaluation

Presentation

THE GENERAL DESIGN PROCESS

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The first phase, the recognition of need occurs either from market
demand or from a problem in an existing product.
These can be identified by the salesperson (market need) or by the
engineer (design change).
The definition of problem involves setting a definite
standard/specification.
The process is repeated to bring the problem to an optimal level
within the constraints imposed.
Thus, synthesis and analysis are essential to optimize a product.

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Evaluation is the process of comparing the design with the

specifications defined in the problem definition stage.
Evaluation generally involves the fabrication and testing of
a prototype to assess the performance, quality, reliability,
etc.
Presentation is the final phase in the design process.
This includes documentation of the design using
engineering drawings, material specifications, BOM, etc.
This can be considered as the design data useful for further
activities.

The documentation is the physical drawings and repots

produced manually.
The later activities of the design process, like the
process planning, scheduling, manufacturing, etc. are
all again distributed to various groups which again
consumed a large amount of time.
Now with the presence of CAD system, the actual
design, documentation, process planning, scheduling,
manufacturing, and all other activities require lesser
manpower, time and efforts.

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Pahl and beitz model

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Application of computer for design:

The various design activities that are performed on the CAD
system can be grouped into 4 categories, namely:
1. Geometric Modeling.
2. Engineering Analysis.
3. Design Review and Evaluation.
4. Automated Drafting.

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