With technological advancements over the past few decades, the mechanical sector has evolved as well, making the design, manufacturing and automation very effortless and efficient.
While technology like computer-aided design, Computer-aided Engineering and Computer-aided engineering (i.e. CAD, CAM, CAE )profits a lot from synchronous improvements to software and engineering, the software tools have been evolving more than 60 years ago. Dr Patrick Hanratty was the first one to establish the very initial numerical management system, that later turned as CAD program.
With the development of technology the interlinking between CAD and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) also grew over the past several decades. In this modern time, a mechanical engineer must be familiar with the terms CAD, CAM, and computer-aided engineering (CAE) and to have a better understanding of CAD, CAM, CAE tools, their methodologies, features and differences are mentioned below.
What is CAD, CAM and CAE?
What are the applications of CAD and CAM?
What is the highest demand for engineering abilities?
What is CAD?
This is the first step towards utilising the computer for creating any model. Draftsmen and Engineers employ design software tools to create 3D models or illustrations of any product, component or device. They use CAD software to draw the detailed 3D models of the product with dimensions and portray the aesthetics of the model in the PC. CAD software basically develops a virtual model of the actual product.
A certain amount of proficiency is required for using design software tools. In particular situations, designers are responsible for making the first design whilst, another team of engineers analyse and review the pre-made design to make sure that there are no errors.
Best CAD Software for Engineers available in the market:
There are several CAD application software available in the market today. Their uses can vary based on the employer’s specific requirements or the business they operate in. One can opt-in for any of the mechanical design software as per his or her specialization. You will find an assortment of highly specialized tools, with a few applications.
Below mentioned are a few of the popular CAD tools for engineers:
SolidWorks
As per market research report by Grand View Research in 2019, the emphasis on cloud-based CAD software or outsourcing specific design jobs is rising steeply. The organisation expects the demand for 3D CAD applications due to the increasing adoption of 3D printing. If outsourcing of design becomes more common, engineers will presumably be focused on giving conceptual design considerations along with interfacing with businesspeople to review plans.
What is CAE?
Computer-Aided Engineering technology describes the use of software or tools to analyse the effects of various conditions on the model or structure or a solution applying constraints and applicable loads. CAE tools are frequently used to analyze and optimize the designs created within the CAD Tool. Generally, the CAE tools include computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA) and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO). These tools are employed to carry out design iterations with virtual prototypes (seldom called”electronic twins”) before producing physical prototypes. Employing the CAE tool, we can understand the behaviour of the model in the actual working conditions without actually manufacturing the product. The CAE software tools provide various data like stress (like von-mises stress, thermal stress etc), strain/deformation etc developed on applying the boundary conditions. This saves corporations vital money and time in product development while producing high-quality designs which meet with multi-disciplinary and multi-functional requirements.
Best CAE Software Tools available in the market.
There are dozens of CAE tools. Few of them are mentioned below:
The best CAE software suitable for any purpose will depend to some extent on the skills that you need to develop and your particular career path. Mechanical analysis software like OpenFOAM is the available source, offering an excellent understanding of flexibility. But many users believe the program could be made better as it relies only on a control line and doesn’t have any graphical user interface (GUI), which is a drawback for it.
What is CAM?
Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAM) is commonly defined as the application of software to automate the production processes. CAM software can understand CAD designs and translate into instructions for machines, which will in-turn maximize production capacity and increase the efficiency of creating components. The CAM tools are often categorised as Numeric Control (NC), Computerised Numeric Control (CNC), Direct Numeric Control/Distributed Numeric Control (DNC).
Latest and Best CAM Software tools
Several software companies create both sorts of software Since CAM is indeed tangled with CAD. For example, SolidWorks, AutoDesk, provides a full-suite of resources such as CAD, CAM, and other engineering tools.
Some of the best CAM application Software providers are:
NX, which combines parts of CAD, CAE, and CAM.
Description of CAD, CAM and CAE: In short, CAD tool is used to create or develop the initial 3D models of any product. CAE Software is used to run the Simulation and Analysis of the model. CAM Software is employed to automate the manufacturing process.
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