BimScaler Blog – Modern engineering relies heavily on computer-aided design (CAD), which has transformed the process of ideation, development, and implementation of designs. CAD has been essential in improving design accuracy, expediting product development cycles, and streamlining engineering processes since its inception.
Let’s learn more about the role of CAD in engineering design, some of its key features, and software options.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) can help create, modify, and optimize designs in the engineering sector. CAD software allows engineers to produce detailed, accurate, and efficient designs, reducing errors and increasing productivity.
It enables the creation of both 2D and 3D models, which can be viewed from various angles and even from the inside out. CAD software is widely used across various industries, including aerospace, electronics, manufacturing, and animation, to streamline the product development process.
It also integrates with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to further streamline production. CAD software is cloud-based, allowing for easy sharing and collaboration among teams, and it is used to produce electronic files for printing, machining, or other manufacturing operations. It is also used in patent applications to protect products and inventions.
With the mass adoption of CAD in engineering, it evolves the software to provide CAE (computer-aided engineering) tools.
Computer-aided engineering tools are used to evaluate the performance of components and assemblies. CAE involves the simulation, validation, and optimisation of products and manufacturing tools.
Some examples of CAE software capabilities include finite element analysis, which allows the software to perform stress analysis on components and assemblies, computational fluid dynamics, which analyses thermal and fluid flow, and multibody dynamics, which visualises the dynamic behaviour of interconnected bodies.
These days, most design verification is done through computer simulations rather than physical prototype testing because of the capabilities of CAD and CAE software that engineers have access to. Design optimization, design validation, and product performance prediction are typically the areas in which manufacturing companies use it most.
What are the 3 Major Roles of CAD in Engineering?
While CAD has many applications in engineering, 3 major roles stand out: design and modelling, collaboration and communication, and analysis and simulation.
- Design and Modelling: CAD software allows engineers to create detailed and accurate 2D and 3D models of products, structures, and systems. This enables them to visualise and analyse designs, make changes, and optimise performance before physical prototypes are built.
- Collaboration and Communication: CAD tools facilitate collaboration among different engineering disciplines and stakeholders. Engineers can share their designs and models with other professionals, such as architects, construction managers, and surveyors, to ensure that all parties are on the same page and working towards the same goals.
- Analysis and Simulation: CAD software often integrates with CAE tools, allowing engineers to perform simulations and analyse the behaviour of their designs under various conditions. This helps them to identify potential issues and optimize designs for better performance, reliability, and safety.
This has resulted in CAD becoming an important tool for engineering design. CAD software continues to be a useful tool for designers in a variety of industries. Aside from engineering design, CAD software can also help with architectural design.
Find out more about it in our article, ‘CAD in Architecture Design: Their Role, Software Types, and Challenges‘.
CAD Software Features That Help Engineers
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software offers a wide range of features that are beneficial for engineers. Here are some of the key features:
- Solid Modelling: CAD software supports solid modelling, allowing engineers to create 3D models that can be viewed from any angle.
- Engineering Drawings: CAD software can generate engineering drawings from solid models, providing detailed blueprints for manufacturing.
- Freeform Surface Modelling: This feature allows engineers to create complex shapes and surfaces.
- Automated Design of Assemblies: CAD software can automatically design assemblies, which are collections of parts and/or other assemblies.
- Design Component Reuse: Engineers can reuse design components, saving time and ensuring consistency.
- Ease of Modifying Designs: CAD software makes it easy to modify designs, automatically updating all related documents and drawings.
- Automatic Generation of Standard Components: CAD software can automatically generate standard components of the design.
- 3D Modelling and Surveying Tools: Some CAD software, like AutoCAD Civil 3D, offers 3D modelling and surveying tools for collecting and analysing topographical data.
- Geospatial Analysis: CAD software can incorporate geographic and demographic information into designs.
- Compatibility and Cost: The selection of CAD software involves considering various factors such as features, ease of use, compatibility, and cost.
With these capabilities, CAD software becomes a vital tool for engineers, completely changing the way they design and produce goods.
CAD Integration in Engineering Workflows
Integrating CAD in engineering workflows allows the software to connect with other engineering tools, such as Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software, Product Data Management (PDM) systems, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Integration enables engineers to streamline their workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve overall efficiency.
Some key aspects of CAD integration in engineering workflows include:
- Workflow Automation: Integrating CAD/CAE packages into a single workflow can help automate tasks such as model updates and simulation workflows, which can save time and reduce errors.
- Design Exploration: Investigating product behaviour in a step-by-step manner can help engineers save computational resources and post-processing time.
- Trade-off Studies: Utilising local and global workflow parametrization can help engineers choose the best combination of product input parameters.
- Virtual Prototyping: Combining different third-party and in-house software into a single workflow can provide more insights and improve the design process.
- Data Reuse: Collecting the results of complex simulations for future reuse or turning them into robust and easy-to-use predictive models can help engineers make better design decisions.
All of these workflows are possible with CAD tools such as Fusion 360, CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo Elements/Pro, and AutoDesk Inventor. These tools offer a wide range of features and capabilities to streamline the design process and optimise product performance.
CAD Integration in Engineering Workflows
Integrating CAD in engineering workflows allows the software to connect with other engineering tools, such as Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software, Product Data Management (PDM) systems, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Integration enables engineers to streamline their workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve overall efficiency.
Some key aspects of CAD integration in engineering workflows include:
- Workflow Automation: Integrating CAD/CAE packages into a single workflow can help automate tasks such as model updates and simulation workflows, which can save time and reduce errors.
- Design Exploration: Investigating product behaviour in a step-by-step manner can help engineers save computational resources and post-processing time.
- Trade-off Studies: Utilising local and global workflow parametrization can help engineers choose the best combination of product input parameters.
- Virtual Prototyping: Combining different third-party and in-house software into a single workflow can provide more insights and improve the design process.
- Data Reuse: Collecting the results of complex simulations for future reuse or turning them into robust and easy-to-use predictive models can help engineers make better design decisions.
All of these workflows are possible with CAD tools such as Fusion 360, CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo Elements/Pro, and AutoDesk Inventor. These tools offer a wide range of features and capabilities to streamline the design process and optimise product performance.
Popular CAD Software for Engineers
While there are many CAD software options available, only a few of them are suitable for the engineering design workflow. This is because engineering design workflows require mechanical design and parametric modeller functionality. These are some of the most widely used CAD programmes among engineers, according to Scan2CAD.
1. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 marked Autodesk’s first foray into cloud-based CAD. The software is “the first 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool of its kind.” It includes parametric tools that let designers edit components as their specifications change. It also allows users to test fit and motion, run simulations, and generate photorealistic renderings.
2. CATIA
CATIA, developed by Dassault Systèmes, supports CAD, CAM, and CAE. It is frequently referred to as a 3D Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software suite. CATIA is widely used in the engineering industry, particularly in sectors like automotive and aerospace that require detailed surface modelling.
3. SolidWorks
SolidWorks is a solid modeling CAD and CAE program that was also developed by Dassault Systèmes. It was the first significant 3D modeller for Windows in 1995. Engineers can use it to create auto-generated 2D drawings and advanced 3D models using a parametric feature-based approach. Users can also perform analyses and simulations, including finite element analysis.
4. Creo Elements/Pro
Creo, formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER, was developed by PTC. It was the first major mechanical CAD software to integrate parametric feature-based 3D modelling. The software includes fully integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE solutions. These solutions enable users to develop everything from concept to manufacturing in a single application.
5. Autodesk Inventor
Inventor, another popular Autodesk product, is a 3D CAD software that includes tools for mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation. It allows users to create precise 3D models to help them design, visualise, and simulate products before they are built. Simulation tools allow users to enter variables such as driving loads and friction loads to see how their product will perform in a real-world scenario.
These 5 pieces of software are just a few examples of the many different types of CAD software available. We covered more types of CAD software in greater detail in our previous article, ‘Types of CAD Software: A Comprehensive Overview of the Available Options‘.
Conclusion
The field of engineering is constantly being redefined by CAD, which boosts productivity, creativity, and industry competitiveness. With the development of CAD software and technology, engineers can explore new areas of design creativity, optimisation, and sustainability.
Aside from CAD, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an important tool in engineering design. These tools are critical for engineers in the design and construction industries and useful for creating detailed 3D models, producing accurate documentation, and simulating product performance. That is why using CAD and BIM tools can make the engineering design process more efficient.
So, are you ready to implement the BIM process for your construction project?
BIMscaler’s consulting and management services will provide you with end-to-end BIM usage for your project, starting with BIM/model management, content management, project start-up, project meetings, and end-user support, including as-built documentation creation.
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