Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Thanks to:
Darryl Hillman
Sam Cooper
Duncan Evans
Drew Holloway
Jonathan Sidaway
Introduction
Areas to be covered:
1.
What is Computer Aided Design?
2.
Origins of CAD
3.
Uses of CAD
4.
Computer Aided Architecture Design (CAAD)
5.
Electronic Design Automation (ECAD)
6.
Uses of CAD with an expert system
7.
CAD Design
8.
CAD & Databases
A quick intro
Video created by a student in USA as part of
course work
What is Computer Aided Design?
●
●
●
CAD also known as Computer Aided Drafting.
There are 3 different types of CAD (2D, 2.5D
and 3D).
The software is used to create and design
models of these types and test them.
Origins of CAD
●
●
●
●
The first source of CAD resulted from attempts to
automate the drafting process.
These developments were pioneered by the General
Motors Research Laboratories in the early 1960s.
CAD became more widely used after 1970 because of
technological advancements.
CAD allowed users to design products much quicker
without the production of an actual product.
•Beginning in the 1980s Computer-Aided Design
programs reduced the need of draftsmen significantly.
•Their affordability and ability to run on personal
computers also allowed engineers to do their own
drafting work.
Uses of CAD
CAD is used to design a variety of different
products for a variety of fields such as
●
Architecture
●
Electronics
●
Automotive engineering
●
Industrial Design
●
Machinery
●
Visual Art
●
Medical Design
Computer aided architecture design
(CAAD)
●
●
●
CAD can be used to design a 3D visual representative
of a structure such as a bridge, highway, drainage
systems or buildings such as houses, high rise flats.
The software allows the user to design a 2D
representation of the blue prints. Also they can create a
3D view of the finished design of the structure.
When incorporated with an expert system it can work
out the strain points of the building/structure.
Designs of CAAD
Circuit
board layout
House Blue
Print
Electronic design automation
(ECAD)
●
●
●
CAD can also be used to design electronic
systems such as printed circuit boards and
integrated circuits.
As well as designing the layout of a circuit the user
can also list logic gates for the circuit.
These designs can be used for hundreds of
electronic products and machinery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNjX8gVAXzg
Uses of CAD with an expert system
●
●
●
The limitations of CAD is that it doesn't
incorporate real life concepts, such as gravity or
friction.
By Using a expert system it can carry out
calculations such as stress of a building or the
drag of a vehicle.
The use of a expert system with CAD can be
used with a variety of products such as:
1.
Building materials for buildings/constructions
2.
The Design of vehicles.
3.
Design of individual parts.
CAD Design and Software
To choose which software to buy or download
depends on the user and what it is they want
to design. For example below are three
different pictures all using different software
for different designs.
Software
Some CAD programs which you can buy are:
–
AutoCAD
–
TurboCAD
–
ProgeCAD
But there are a lot open source programs such
as:
–
Archimedes
–
FreeCAD
–
BRL-CAD
CAD & Databases
•Typically CAD software is built upon some database
stored in hard disk
•From user point of view it looks like a file
•However CAD objects such as line or circle are
stored as structured records and CAD engine has
implemented methods for fast data retrieval and
storage
CAD/CAM Database
Just like computer aided designing (CAD) we have
concept of computer aided manufacturing (CAM). CAD
software enables direct link between CAD and CAM
On its part CAD enables automation of designing,
while CAM enables automation of manufacturing
processes. The combination of CAD and CAM enables
automated transition from designing to manufacturing
The database created by the integration of
CAD/CAM is also called a manufacturing database
Conclusion
 CAD is important in the design and safety of
constructions
 There are many different types of CAD software to
choose from to meet specific needs
 CAD extraction data is input into a database which
appears in the form of a file
It has spread into many other fields of jobs more
recently such as medicine and electronics
 CAD is overall a cheaper tool than taking on a larger
workforce to complete drawing tasks