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, the increasing computer power in the later part of the twentieth century has allowed engineers to use CAD files.

Use of CAD

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 three-dimensional diagrams. The use of CAD software tools allow the object to be viewed from any angle, even from the inside looking out.

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