Mechanical Engineering Design - CAD 05
Computer aided design is the use of computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis or optimization of an engineering design. CAD software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communication through documentation and create a database for manufacturing. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, manufacturing or other manufacturing processes.
The technical and engineering drawings and images must convey information such as materials, processes, dimensions and tolerances according to application-specific conventions. CAD may be used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional (2D) space or curves, surfaces and solids in three-dimensional (3D) space. CAD is also used to produce computer animation for the special effects used in, for example, advertising and technical manuals.
CAD is an important industrial art and is the way projects come true. It is extensively used in many applications, including automotive, ship building and aerospace industries, and in industrial design. The CAD process and outputs are essential to successful solutions for engineering and manufacturing problems.
CAD software helps us explore ideas, visualize concepts through photorealistic renderings and movies and simulates how the design project will perform in the real world.
Required skills
Communication, numeracy, critical thinking, mathematics, computer science, analytical skills, creativity, read and interpret technical drawings
Career info
Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer systems and software to assist in the creation, modification, analysis or optimization of an engineering design. CAD software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communication through documentation, and create a database for manufacturing. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, manufacturing or other manufacturing processes.
CAD applications are extensively used in many specifically mechanical applications across industries, including automotive, ship building, aerospace industries, and industrial design. CAD software helps us explore ideas, visualize concepts through photorealistic renderings and movies, and simulates how the design project will perform in the real world.
Today, CAD is an essential tool in engineering, manufacturing, product design, sustainability, and even entertainment, because it helps us explore ideas, visualize concepts, develop solutions to problems, and test how the design project/product will perform in the real world.
At the Competition
Competitors will be judged on their knowledge of and ability to:
- 3D modelling of part
- 3D modelling of assemblies
- Create photo rendered images
- Creation of simulations
- Reverse engineering of a physical model
- Technical drawings and dimensioning
- Materials
- Software and hardware