Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

What is a Computer-Aided Design?

Computer-aided design (CAD) is a digital application which enables creation of complex designs. CAD can
support for modification of the parts and study the performance variations. This leads to rapid designanalysis,
and optimization of any desired design. CAD is the use of computer software to design and document a
product’s entire design process.
CAD is a set of methods and tools that assist product designers in creating a geometrical representation of the
objects they are designing. The main features are dimensioning, tolerancing, configuration, changes,
storing CAD leads to subsequent design steps viz. Engineering (CAE) Manufacturing (CAM)

What are the CAD features?

o CAD is very versatile. It is extensively used in the design of tools, PCBs and equipment required in the
R&D, manufacturing, fabrication of metal parts and plastic moulding.CAD enables design engineers to
designand develop their tasks on a computer screen, modify, improve, optimise, print and store.
o CAD can create computer models for all engineering disciplines - mechanical, electrical, electronics
related and so on.
o Enable quick editing in the designs to study the effects and arrive at the best possible solutions

o The finalised design can be directly transferred to the fabricator for making quick prototype models
o Produce required allied product documents like machine drawing, CNC sequencing, PCB layout, Mould
drawings, Electrical diagrams and so on
o Generate all kinds of product documentation mentioned in the previous topic
o CAD includes dimensional, geometrical and material properties. It also can produce 3D modelling and
show different views as the product is rotated around any axis, even from the inside looking out.
o CAD drawings are in a format that can be universally interpreted by all agencies
o CAD achieves efficiency, accuracy and reduced time-to-market.

Types of CAD Software

 AutoCAD
 Turbo CAD
 SketchUp Pro 2018
 Solidworks 2018
 Catia V5
 2D CAD
 3D CAD
 3D Wireframe and Surface Modelling
 Altair
 Pro E
  I-DEAS
 Unigraphics

What is CAD, CAE, CAM

CAD – Computer Aided Design
CAE – Computer Aided Engineering
CAM – Computer Aided Manufacturing

CAD for Electronics:

CAD helps in electronic circuit diagrams a great deal. The PCB artwork is done through CAD. The dimensioning
of the PCB, the contour of the PCD, The holes, slots etc are effortlessly done using CAD. The circuit schematic,
components positioning, pads layout, track layout for interconnecting components as per schematic, silk screen,
solder mask, gerber file are all done using CAD.Model. If the PCB has several layer, these set of drawings are
produced for each layer.