Computer-aided technologies

computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing

The application of digital computers in engineering design and production. Computer-aided design (CAD) refers to the use of computers in converting the initial idea for a product into a detailed engineering design. The evolution of a design typically involves the creation of geometric models of the product, which can be manipulated, analyzed, and refined. In CAD, computer graphics replace the sketches and engineering drawings traditionally used to visualize products and communicate design information. See also Computer graphics.

Engineers also use computer programs to estimate the performance and cost of design prototypes and to calculate the optimal values for design parameters. These programs supplement and extend traditional hand calculations and physical tests. When combined with CAD, these automated analysis and optimization capabilities are called computer-aided engineering (CAE). See also Computer-aided engineering; Optimization.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to the use of computers in converting engineering designs into finished products. Production requires the creation of process plans and production schedules, which explain how the product will be made, what resources will be required, and when and where these resources will be deployed. Production also requires the control and coordination of the necessary physical processes, equipment, materials, and labor. In CAM, computers assist managers, manufacturing engineers, and production workers by automating many production tasks. Computers help to develop process plans, order and track materials, and monitor production schedules. They also help to control the machines, industrial robots, test equipment, and systems which move and store materials in the factory.

CAD/CAM can improve productivity, product quality, and profitability. Computers can eliminate redundant design and production tasks, improve the efficiency of workers, increase the utilization of equipment, reduce inventories, waste, and scrap, decrease the time required to design and make a product, and improve the ability of the factory to produce different products. Today most manufacturers employ CAD/CAM to varying degrees. See also Productivity.

The fact that CAD, CAE, and CAM work best together has led to the breakdown of many of the traditional barriers between functional and manufacturing units. The goal of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is a database, created and maintained on a factory-wide computer network, that will be used for design, analysis, optimization, process planning, production scheduling, robot programming, materials handling, inventory control, maintenance, and marketing. Although many technical and managerial obstacles must be overcome, computer-integrated manufacturing appears to be the future of CAD/CAM. See also Computer-integrated manufacturing; Database management system; Flexible manufacturing system; Materials handling; Robotics.

(Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) The integration of designing by computer and manufacturing by computer. The electronic image of products designed in CAD programs are translated into a numerical control programming language, which generates the instructions for the machine that makes it (see numerical control). CAD designs are also converted into slices for rapid manufacturing (see 3D printing).

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The use of computers to create and modify graphic images. CAD/CAM is used in mechanical design or drafting tasks and manufacturing processes. CAD/CAM devices replace paper and pencil, speeding up the process of replicating design elements, calculating dimensions, and making design revisions. Some CAD/CAM programs have the ability to rotate designs for three-dimensional viewing. CAD/CAM devices can bring a new design concept from protoype to product by interfacing with manufacturing machines. CAD/CAM programs are used in package design architecture, mechanical engineering, and a variety of other design applications.

Computerized system to both integrate part design and to generate processing or manufacturing instructions.

For more information on CAD/CAM, visit Britannica.com.

Illustration of the interaction of the various computer-aided technologies.

Computer-aided technologies (sometimes abbreviated as CAx^[1]) is a broad term describing the use of computer technology to aid in the design, analysis, and manufacture of products.

Advanced CAx tools merge many different aspects of the product lifecycle management (PLM), including design, analysis using finite element analysis (FEA), manufacturing, production planning, product testing using virtual lab models and visualization, product documentation, product support, etc. CAx encompasses a broad range of tools, both those commercially available and those which are proprietary to the engineering firm.

The term CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) is also often used in the context of a software tool covering a number of engineering functions.

List of computer-aided technologies

NX 5 Multi-CAD digital mockup

NX 5 Simulation of airflow over an engine

CAx tools in the context of product lifecycle management

• CAD;

Computer-aided architectural design (CAAD)

Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD)

Computer-aided drafting (CAD)

Computer-aided electrical and electronic design (ECAD)

Computer-aided industrial design (CAID)

• Computer-aided diagnostics (CAD/NDE)
• Computer-aided engineering (CAE);
• Computer-aided issue resolution (CAIR);
• Computer-aided manufacturing capability (CAMC);
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM);
• Computer-aided material information (CAMI);
• Computer-aided package selection (CAPS);
• Computer-aided process planning (CAPP)
• Computer-aided quality assurance (CAQ)
• Computer-aided reporting(CAR);
• Computer-aided requirements capture (CAR);
• Computer-aided rule definition (CARD);
• Computer-aided rule execution (CARE);
• Computer-aided software engineering (CASE);
• Component information system (CIS);
• Coordinate measurement (CMM);
• Electronic design automation (EDA);
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP);
• Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE)
• Manufacturing Process Management (MPM)
• Manufacturing process planning (MPP);
• Manufacturing resource planning (MRP);
• Product data management (PDM)
• Product lifecycle management (PLM)
• Reverse engineering (RE)

See also

• List of CAx companies

References

1. ^ "Engineers' CAx education—it's not only CAD". http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TYR-4C62R0B-2&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2004&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=cc7a4e3e1cfdc05c7556848feaecf169. 

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