Computer-Aided Design
Chapter 7
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Use of computer systems to assist
in the creation, modification,
analysis, and optimization of a
design
Typical tools:
Tolerance analysis
Mass property calculations
Finite-element modeling and
visualization
Defines the geometry of the design
Computer-Aided Manufacturing
(CAM)
Use of computer systems to
plan, manage, and control
manufacturing operations
Direct or indirect computer
interface with the plant’s
production resources
Numerical control of machine
tools
Programming of robots
Computer-Aided Engineering
(CAE)
Use of computer systems to
analyze CAD geometry
Allows designer to simulate
and study how the product
will behave, allowing for
optimization
Finite-element method
(FEM)
Divides model into
interconnected elements
Solves continuous field
problems
Computer-Aided Design Process
Two types of activities: synthesis and
analysis
Synthesis is largely qualitative and hard to
capture on computer
Analysis can be greatly enhanced with
computers
Once analysis is complete, design
evaluation- rapid prototyping
Software packages for design optimization
Components of CAD/CAM/CAE
Systems
Major component is hardware
and software allowing shape
manipulation
Hardware includes graphic
devices and their peripherals
for input and output
operations
Software includes packages
that manipulate or analyze
shapes according to user
interaction
Components of CAD/CAM/CAE
Systems
Hardware Components
Graphic device is composed of a display
processing unit, a display device, and one or
more input devices
Input devices:
Mouse
Space ball
Data tablet with a puck or stylus
Keyboard
Output Devices:
Plotters
Color laser printers
Hardware Configuration #1
Hardware Configuration #1
Requires a big initial
investment for
hardware and software
Slow system response
times
Maintenance of
mainframe is
expensive Updating operating
systems is difficult
Hardware Configuration #2
Hardware Configuration #2
Engineering Widely used; trend
workstations connected toward distributed
in a networked computing
environment
Initial investment is
User can choose smaller than
appropriate configuration #1
workstation on a task
by task basis
Hardware Configuration #3
Popular with Same as the second,
small companies except engineering
workstations are replaced
by personal computers
running Microsoft Windows
Popular with companies
whose main purpose is Distinction between
to generate drawings configurations 2 and 3
with their becoming blurred as
CAD/CAM/CAE systems personal computers
evolve
Software Components
CAD software allows the designer to
create and manipulate a shape
interactively and store it
CAM software plans, manages and
controls the operations of a manufacturing
site
CAE software analyzes design geometry,
allowing designer to study product
behavior
Windows-Based CAD Systems
User interface is similar to Windows
Employs component technology, in which
best key software elements are selected
from among available software
Use object-oriented technology, which
modularizes the program
Capable of either parametric or variational
modeling
Internet support
Rapid Prototyping
Layer by layer fabrication of
three-dimensional physical
models from CAD
Fast and inexpensive
alternative for producing
prototypes and functional
models
Rapid Prototyping h
as surgical applicati Build parts in thin layers
ons
Minimum operation time;
typically runs unattended
Medical Modeling - Zcorp
Rapid Prototyping Cycle
Rapid Prototyping Cycle
.STL is standard file format
for all U.S. rapid
prototyping systems
Preprocessing
prepares .STL file for
various rapid prototyping
systems
Build process can last
from a few hours to
several days
Post processing: removal
of part from machine,
support removal, sanding
Rapid Prototyping Process
(Damvig)
“A computer-controlled laser beam
is scanned across the surface of a
vat of liquid photopolymer,
instantly solidifying the liquid at
each point of contact. Using data
generated from a CAD file,
individual cross-sections of the
three-dimensional geometry are
solidified in turn to build up a solid
part layer by layer. In this way
even highly complex geometries
can be built in a few hours without
requiring any tools. “
