ME CAD/CAM

Major Trends in CAD

From off shoring to mass customization, several trends are affecting the development of computer-aided design and manufacturing tools. Examine some of the top developments in the industry:

Globalization is exerting an influence on the development of CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing). Companies’ operations, competition and markets have gone global, and in response, CAD and CAM are taking on more functionality and allowing for increased collaboration between departments. Here are the major trends shaping the development of these tools today:

Off shoring

Sending jobs to foreign locations continues to be a prevalent—and highly controversial—trend. It’s driven by such factors as increasing globalization, the ubiquity of high-speed Internet connections and the rising pressure to increase corporate profits. In fact, in the CAD world, most developers have already placed software teams in India and/or Russia to handle research and development and support. And along with manufacturing, data processing and call center jobs, companies are also taking high-tech engineering design and development work overseas. For example, multidiscipline engineering design and drafting, software development and CAM processing are among the new jobs being outsourced overseas. By 2015, business analysis firm Forrester Research expects some 3.3 million high-tech and service jobs to be transplanted from the U.S. to other countries.

Increasing collaboration

Because more companies are choosing to shift operations offshore, sharing data is becoming a greater priority. This has contributed to the trend toward collaboration as a management approach, and as a result, CAD and CAM vendors have been charged with the task of incorporating tools that can help different departments work together. “It’s a very big challenge to build in ways to tie in other people,” Robert Kross, vice president of Autodesk’s Manufacturing Solutions Division, tells Design News. “Traditionally, our tools are for technical people who are full time users. Collaboration means we have to tie in other people, financial people and others who aren’t doing design every day. That adds to the challenge, but it’s a necessary component for today’s business”.

Mass customization

Companies are now placing more emphasis on reducing inventory costs and applying just-in-time manufacturing, a strategy that is paving the way for the mass customization of products, says Kross. Many firms are no longer producing huge quantities of the same product—something that many warehouse manufacturers did just five years ago. Instead they’re tailoring products to meet customers’ specific needs in order to become more competitive.

Growing popularity of 3D Modeling

More and more engineers are making the switch from 2D software to 3D modeling. In particular, solid modeling—which depicts product designs via electronic 3D solid models—is taking off. Not only do solids give engineers more design flexibility, they also offer realistic images of products and allow downstream tasks, such as analysis, to be more easily integrated. What’s more, solid modeling supports a decades-long push by the CAD/CAM industry to give manufacturing customers “art-to-part” capabilities—bringing a design from the concept to the tooling stage in a completely digital world. By implementing a purely digital process, manufacturers can foster more effective communication between departments, make better products and enjoy greater profits due to a speedier time to market.

Widespread use of neutral formats

An increasing number of companies are exchanging information with one another using non-CAD formats, including Adobe’s PDF (portable document format), Autodesk’s DWF (design web format) and SolidWorks’ EDRW (eDrawings). While translating a CAD file into a non-CAD format may seem like an unnecessary step, two developments are driving this trend. For starters, increasing globalization of manufacturing is leaving many companies susceptible to the theft of intellectual property. In response, many are refraining from releasing native CAD files and taking the precaution of employing a data format that will prevent information theft. Second, while digital signatures are now legally binding, many companies still doubt their effectiveness and are thus using representations that can’t be edited.

CAM software’s increasing functionality

CAM software is continuing to get better at its job of interpreting digital descriptions and producing the instructions for machine tools. Its growing functionality is making the jobs of programmers easier. In particular, CAM is becoming more automated, better integrated with design software and increasingly user-friendly. According to CIMdata’s NC Software Market Assessment Report, some recent enhancements include intelligent user interfaces, programming guidance, commands integrating multiple steps, automatic re-machining, and automatic selection of cutting parameters, tools and tool paths. In short, it’s taking on more, while letting users do less.

The Origin of CAD

The basis of a CAD (computer aided design) system is to provide 2-D or 3-Dimensional movement models to aid in production.

Where Did CAD Begin?

The origins of CAD can be traced back to the sketchpad system innovated by Ivan Sutherland in 1962, with 3 separate branches of development periods that provided an expansion in basic operations.

The 3 Stages of Early CAD Development

• In the 1960’s, General Motors Research Laboratories attempted to eliminate hand drawn modeling and automate the drafting process in order to quickly change, correct or manipulate a model’s parameters.
• The aerospace and semiconductor industry began testing designs by simulation. This computer modelled testing of products increased manufacturing efficiency.
• By the late 60’s, designers had taken more direct control over the production process. Efforts to facilitate an efficient flow from design to the manufacturing process by using numerical control technologies had become widespread. This resulted in integration of design and manufacturing stages, contributing to increased production.

Although in its infancy, the early CAD system overcame development shortcomings by reducing expenses and increasing the speed of production by allowing designers and manufacturers to use the same system of encoded data. By decreasing the time from design to production, businesses could expand the scope of production and output increased.

Many of the functions of CAD today are simply improvements with modeling and incorporation of data analysis from conception and engineering to the manufacturing process. By updating the operating systems, the goal of CAD developers now is to refine the system to become faster and more user-friendly.

What Is the Future of CAD?

Future expectations of the CAD software is high, with designers seeking to push the boundaries of geometric shaping models, while continuing the trend of increased efficiency and pioneering advanced product designs.

3D Printing

The advancement of technology continues to shape the world around us in ways that many people thought were fantasy or science fiction. But the reality is many of the ideas we originally considered impossible are becoming commonplace. For example, 3D printing technology has received a fair amount of attention recently due to the complexity of how the printing works and the possibilities of creation that exist.

What is 3D Printing?

First, a design must be made for an object to be created. CAD drafters create virtual 3D models of objects that meet precise specifications. Once a design has been finalized, the virtual model will be sliced into layers and the uploaded to the 3D printer. The printer will begin the process by “laying down” the material needed to create the object in thinly sliced horizontal sections onto a build platform. Each layer builds upon the previous layer. This could result in thousands of printed layers to create one solid 3D object!

What Materials are Used in 3D Printing?

The variety of materials used for 3D printing seem limitless. Here are a few common materials used:

• Plastic
• Glass
• Bio-tissue(human stem cells, etc.)
• Wax
• Metal
• Food(soft foods and liquids)
• Polymers

Are All 3D Printers the Same?

NO! Each specific industry will require a printer with a specialized technology to complete a 3D object. Medical manufacturing for living tissue may use “material jetting” similar to how a standard ink jet printer works while a plastic manufacturer may use “selective laser sintering (SLS)” to fuse molten plastic to create a 3D form.

How Does 3D Printing Affect Manufacturing?

The efficiency of 3D printing can’t be overstated. Reduced building time allows for an object to be created in a single build rather than numerous processes. Designs are more efficient due to computer guidance and the need to maintain an inventory of molds is removed. A variety of objects can be conceptualized, designed and manufactured all with the same printer.

Are You Interested In Developing 3D Models that can be Printed?

CAD drafters are leading the charge of advancing technology. If a drafter can design a 3D model of an object, then there is likely a way to manufacture it. If not, you can be sure that a CAD designer will be responsible for deWhat Is the Future of CAD?veloping the tools needed to make it a possibility.

Careers in Computer-Aided Design

Learn all the different ways you can use a CAD degree.

In recent decades, computer-aided design (CAD) has permeated the design and engineering fields. CAD programs 20 years ago were highly specialized tools used primarily for engineering applications, but now, CAD is indispensable to a variety of industries, from architecture and interior design to construction, fashion, animation and manufacturing.

If you want to be a drafter, an engineer or even an animator, a CAD degree will serve you well in your career. In the design field, CAD skills are useful to interior designers and product designers as well as those who work with technical illustration and animation.

Even a certificate program or two-year associate’s degree can prepare you for an entry-level position, or greatly enhance your skills and salary prospects if you’re already employed in the industry.

CAD Jobs: Drafters, Designers and Managers

The versatility of computer-aided design programs makes them ideal for a number of purposes, but one of their most frequent uses is in the field of drafting. Drafters take data, specifications and sketches provided by scientists and engineers and produce drawings that serve as a visual and technical guideline for the manufacture of products. Drafters’ drawings are used in the production of everything from vehicles, machinery and electronic devices to large-scale structures such as buildings, highways and water systems.

Drafting careers may include any of the following:

• Architectural drafting
• Mechanical drafting
• Electronics drafting
• Civil construction drafting

Drafters are generally lower on the career rung than CAD designers, who earn that designation through experience. CAD designers bridge the gap between concept and production and many in the industry feel that design jobs will overtake drafting careers in the future. Designers are familiar with the standards and requirements of their specific field of interest or speciality, while drafters could be considered generalists. Designers work more individually on a project whereas drafters work in teams and take instruction from designers and managers.

Designers work in an area of speciality for the most part:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Fashion Design
• Interior and Exterior Design
• Game Design
• Industrial Design

CAD managers are the people everyone turns to when things go wrong. They have a deep understanding of CAD tools such as AutoCAD and Micro Station, and they know what problems are likely to arise when their tools interact with other software and programs. CAD managers also schedule the team’s workload, review the team’s work before it goes back to the designer, and build the standards for the company. Managers are up on new releases, such as Civil 3D, and ensure their compatibility with the team’s current standards.No matter how large or small your company, CAD managers are a part of it and a crucial factor to the team’s success.

Latest Trends in CAD Technology

CAD (Computer Aided Designing) is a methodology in which computer technology is used for creating designs that can be leveraged in various fields and industry verticals. Using it, numerous products can be designed with accurate measurements and the design process can be also be adequately documented.

Computer Aided Designing has evolved as one of the best computerized designing methodologies and facilitates a wide array of manufacturing processes by transferring the comprehensive diagrams easily to a manufacturing and designing system. With its help, both 2D and 3D diagrams can be produced, and these diagrams can be rotated at any angle to view the details from a particular perspective. Once the design is complete, specialized plotters or printers are used for printing the design renderings.

The Many Uses of CAD

Computer Aided Designing software can be used for –

• Producing 2D or 3D detailed engineering designs of physical components of products being manufactured
• Creating conceptual designs, product layouts, carrying out dynamic and strength analysis of the manufacturing processes and assembly
• Preparing environmental impact reports and designs which can then be used in for producing a rendering of the exterior and interior look when new structures are constructed

The Latest Trends in CAD technology

As technology keeps evolving, Computer Aided Design trends are also changing at a fast pace. Here are the top design trends which are expected to dominate the design industry in the years to come:

Like every technology-based solution, CAD software is also changing at an accelerated pace to adapt itself to the ever-changing world of digital technology. A lot of enterprises worldwide have released cutting edge collaborative and cloud based solutions which offer a whole new range of functionalities. Enterprises and organizations of all sizes are indulging in innovating and enabling Computer Aided Designing with new capabilities which can be leveraged for better designing of products, machines, and other entities. Upstart technical firms are among the significant contributors of such new design trends.

A plethora of design experts believes that computer aided designing technology as we know it today needs an upgrade, so as to deliver better services. Therefore, it is safe to expect that this technique will undergo a complete transformation in the years to come.

The IoT (Internet of Things) refers to the network of connected devices which are capable of interacting with their surroundings and collecting data. Connected objects in IoT networks are capable of interacting with each other and sending signals. Most of these devices are either the part of a home, an office, a factory or a car. In order to plan, design, and personalize marketing strategies, IoT is amongst the latest trends in computer designing which is catching the attention of various people.

It has been estimated by Cisco, that by 2020, over 50 billion devices worldwide will be online and be a part of some or the other IoT network. This will certainly change the way we work and complete our day to day tasks in a dramatic manner. While everyone on the planet would be affected and impacted by these devices, but the personnel who will be affected the most will be engineers. Once the manufacturing units, factories and facilities will come online, massive new efficiencies will be introduced. Thus, computer aided designing will evolve as one of the most preferred ways to design newer machines which can interact and deliver incredible performance.

Mobile access and mobility have become two of the most vital aspects that organizations and people look for in almost every technology. Thus, mobile access is going to be one of the top trends in the coming years.

As per a survey, close to 30% of computer aided designing developers are currently deploying some means of accessing the data on mobile platforms and this number is expected to grow by 8-10 per cent every year. Mobile access allows people to access tools, apps and other relevant data anywhere and anytime. This implies increased productivity and that’s why the tech experts are looking out for innovative ways using which computer aided designing can be made mobile.

Among the evolving trends in CAD technology are 3D printed buildings. Now a 3D printer can support the creation of an entire building. In fact, many tools and 3D printers are being used for construction of entire apartment blocks. This method is much more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and time-efficient in printing buildings than the other conventional methods.

In the future, 3D printers using such technology will make it much easier to develop housing in highly populated areas. It is expected that construction firms in the coming years will catch up with this technology facilitating new innovation in design.

One of the latest trends in computer aided design technology, which is expected to change the way we access tools and use them, is the growth of computer designing in the cloud. Rapid advancements in cloud technology have become a great way for organizations worldwide to access vital information on the go and to make the data, tools, and much more available to people anywhere and at any time. Today, the power of the cloud is driving Computer Aided Technology as well, allowing developers and designers to save their work on cloud platforms which can then be accessed from anywhere. The benefits which such software offer include higher mobility, ease of updating the software, increased storage capacity, and more importantly, significant cost reductions.

What You Should Know About a Career in CAD

Becoming a professional drafting designer can be a very rewarding career. By working with multiple industries, CAD designers have a hand in developing many of the items you see and use every day. CAD-Designers have compiled a brief overview of what someone interested in CAD should know to help them enjoy a drafting career.

What Does a Career in CAD Require?

Most drafting employers will expect an applicant to have received accreditation from a technical school or a community college. Preparing for a career as a drafter can begin as early as high school, with course work such as computer technology, computer graphics, and design being helpful.

What Types of Skills Do You Need?

Just like any profession, certain individuals are more likely to gravitate towards CAD and drafting than others. However, having important qualities can aid you in becoming successful in this field. A few skills that are important are:

• Critical analysis – must be able to evaluate and eliminate flaws and errors in design
• Attention to detail – designs must be accurate
• Good communication – you will work with numerous people in various fields. You must be able to communicate effectively
• Aptitude for math – solving calculations is essential
• Good time management – must be able to work on deadlines
• Technical ability – computer skills