5. Computer Aided Design (CAD)

CAD systems are used to produce designs and plans of everything from buildings to aeroplanes, from conservatories to mobile phones.

 

Using CAD to speed up the design process! Click to Go Larger Screen

Watch the movie to see how Computer Aided Design (CAD) improves the design process.

As with other files these design files can be:

• Saved
• Amended
• Edited
• Printed out

They can also be used to generate files which can be used in manufacturing: Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Additional examples where CAD is commonly used are summarised in the right hand column.

All of these examples have something in common. They are all expensive to build and the CAD process lets people see spot any mistakes and see what the finished object looks like before its built.

 

Hardware Required for CAD

• High resolution monitors
• Powerful processors
• High-capacity backing storage
• Graphics tablet
• Plotter

 

Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)

Many factories use computers to control machinery during manufacture.

Click to watch robots in manufacturing!

 

Some industries have an integrated CAD/CAM system where objects are designed using a CAD system.

This design is then fed directly to the computer that controls the machinery and robots are used to cut out the parts or assemble the finished product.

Linn Systems uses a CAD/CAM system to produce its circuit boards. Once the designs for the circuit boards are completed using the CAD system, they are transferred directly to the computer systems that control the robot arms. The robot arms then assemble the circuit boards.

 

Face Carving with a milling machine!! Click to Go Larger Screen

The video opposite shows how a design for a head is translated into a control program for a milling machine which produces the head.

Reasons for using machines in Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) include:

1. It is a faster more accurate process
   
   
2. There is less waste because fewer mistakes are made and CAD /CAM programmes are good at working out how to get the most out of given material. .
   
   
3. A single operator can oversee the the complete job from start to finish.
   
   
4. Simpler to operate and requires less skill from the operator.

 

 

What you have to do!

Either in a new Word Document or in your Brain. Under a sub heading CAD/CAM complete the following tasks after watching each of the videos above:

1. What are the reasons for using CAD?
2. What did Linn Systems use CAD for?
3. Describe how CAD linked up with CAM in the Linn Systems factory.
4. What was the CAM system used for in the Linn Systems factory?

 

 

What you should now be able to do!

• Be able to describe CAD systems and explain their advantages.

• Give several examples of industries that use CAD systems

• Be able to describe the hardware required for CAD systems

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Continue to 6. Simulation