Computer-Aided Designing (CAD) and modelling is the new era’s tool well suited for documenting the imagination of the creative minds. It has proved to be much more beneficial than the drafting of designs on papers using engineering methodologies. Not only CAD has rendered paper work obsolete but has also lead to impregnation of more reality and expressiveness in the models and designs making it possible to explain the complex ideas of a professional designer to a constructor who may be nothing but a novice when it comes to intricacies of professional designing. There are various CAD software packages that are available in the market and due to the healthy competition among the CAD software developers we are witnessing amazing innovations in the field of Computer-Aided designing. By using the present day CAD software packages one can not only shape his or her ideas in the form of surfaces & wire-frames or virtual solid three dimensional models but can now also carry out simulations on their models thus discovering the unknown features of their creation. The power to model and simulate that CAD software packages possess has rendered them indispensable when it comes to research and manufacturing. I am a mechanical engineer and a robotic enthusiast too. As a mechanical engineer we need to carry out experiments on various mechanisms and for experimentation we need to be thorough with the related theories. There are numerous text books on the theory of machines which claim them adapted to the need of students but actually when it comes to explaining the theories in class to the students they are near to the CAD models which help students to grab the ideas easily. Though books can be proved an essence when it comes to mug up mathematical formulas and their implementations but without the proper understanding of the real nature of the objects mere mugging up of facts can prove nothing but detrimental for the students. So when it comes to understanding the true nature of objects, CAD models prove themselves handy. They help students to grasp facts in a better way and thus enable them to implement their knowledge in practical scenarios.
CAD has found implementation in all form of sciences and all realms of engineering. Civil Engineers are using CAD for developing aesthetically pleasing and practically robust structures for buildings. Chemical Engineers are using CAD for designing pipeline lay outs and integrated control systems for the efficient performance of the chemical reactors. Automobile Engineers are using CAD for incorporating novel design in vehicles and for studying the characteristics of engines. Electrical Engineers are using CAD for developing heavy electrical machineries as well as micro electro-mechanical systems. Mechanical Engineers are using CAD for simulating aerodynamic effects for innovating efficient design for modern vehicles and for designing gigantic earthmoving machines. Electronic Engineers are designing paper circuit boards and electronic chips taking help of CAD. Engineers working in the field of the Metallurgy and Material sciences use CAD modelling for studying crystallographic characteristics of various materials.
By the mentioning a paragraph exclusively for the usage of CAD in engineering I never wanted to claim that it’s a tool only for the engineers. Currently, CAD software developers have added various features to the conventional CAD software packages that the can cater to the needs of people from the diversified fields ranging from more pedantic one like medical sciences to those marked by creativity and glamour that is the fashion industry. Newly developed CAD tools have now helped people involved in study of working of biological entities. Biotechnologists are thus capable of understanding the outcome of their research and explaining it to the world in a way which was never witnessed before. Fashion designers are now using CAD not only for enhancing the aesthetics of their products but also to study the appropriateness of their designs for people belonging to diverse age-groups and size-groups.
After summing up all the above citations one can easily conclude that CAD modelling is a promising new generation cast that moulds our imagination in the shape that is nearest to perfection because I believe that perfection is never achieved but is always pursued and in our pursuit for perfection CAD has proved to be our best companion.
