Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in Mechanical Engineering

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
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Task 1
Introduction
Computer-aided design commonly known as CAD refers to the technology that involves use of
a computer to aid in the drafting and designing artistic creation or a practical product. In most of
cases, drafting involves the production of engineering drawing or technical work. It is, therefore,
both symbol based and visual communication means. CAD is a very useful tool for artists,
architects, engineers, and draftsmen(Rose, Degen and Melhuish 2014). The current software of
CAD packages ranges from two dimensional or 2D vector based system of drawing to solid and
surface modelers of 3D. The modern version of CAD software allows the drawing to be rotated
in three dimensions(Margonar et al. 2012).
This basically implies that the designer can view the object from any angle that is desired. It is
even possible to do the view from inside while targeting outside. In the space of computer-aided
technology, CAD has become a very crucial technique. This is because of some of the benefits
associated with it like reduced cost of the product development and a highly shortened cycle of
the design. When using CAD the designer can layout and properly develop work on the screen.
The developed work can be printed and saved for future use when edited thus saving time that
would be used for drawing the same product(Nadjmi et al. 2013).
Capabilities Overview
Mostly CAD is employed in the design of machinery and tools which assist in the manufacture
of the components. Also, it is used in the design and drafting of all types of engineering
buildings ranging from the largest industrial and commercial structures to the smallest residential
types. The use is mainly in the physical drawing of 2D components and detailed models of 3D.

The entire processes of the engineering activities employ the use of CAD in the conceptual
design and product layout, dynamic and strength analysis of the assemblies and finally the
definition of the methods of manufacturing of the components.
Key Features
 Drawing to scale
CAD has the capability to produce drawings that are very accurate. These drawings are normally
created in 3D or in 2D and taken through the rotation as well. There is normally a possibility of
linking other programmes of the computer to the software of the design(Margonar et al. 2012). In
the case of the drafting that is manual, the determination of the scale is done prior to the exercise
of drawing. The scale basically serves to compare the size of the drawing and that of the actual
object.
 Convenient Layout of the drawing
In the case of manual drafting, it is the selection of the sheet that is done first. Normally this
includes title block and pre-printed border. This is then followed by the determination of the
plans of the views, sections, elevations, and details of the drawing. The drawing can then be
started. When CAD is being used, the desired design is first drawn which is called the model in
an environment of drawing known as model space(Pathan 2012). This is then followed with the
creation of the model layout in an environment called paper space. The layout represents a sheet
of the drawing. The layout has general notes, dimensions, title block and finally a border. It also
contains one or several views of the model. The viewpoints of the layout normally act as areas
which are similar to the frames of the windows or pictures(Safdari et al. 2012).

 Flexibility in the organization of the information of the drawing
In the case of the CAD, the layers that are present are equivalent to the overlays that are
transparent. Just as for the case of the overlays, the activities such as editing, picture display and
combined or separate printing of layers is possible. These layers can be named so as to allow for
easy tracking of the content and also locking of layers so that alteration cannot be achieved. In
order to comply with the standards of the industries, settings such as line-type, color and line
weight to the layers can be assigned. Layers also allow for the organization of the drawing
objects to allow for plotting.
 Establishment of standards of drafting
When drawings are to be done manually, proper accuracy is required in drawing line weights,
line-types, dimensioning among other activities. The application of the standards begins from the
starting point and will be used consistently in the entire process. However, when CAD is to be
used, the conformity with the standards of the company or industry can be achieved through the
creation of the styles that can be applied consistently. It can help in the creation of the
dimensions style, texts, and line types(Mahendran et al. 2016). The establishment of format and
font characteristics including width, height, and even slant can be created by the use of a text
style. These styles, layouts, border information, title block, and layers can be saved by the user.
Use of the templates for drawing helps at the start of a new drawing whose qualities match the
standards of the industry(Taynitskiy, Gubar and Zhitkova 2015).
 Efficient drawings
In the case of manual drawing, drawing tools like scales, pencils, erasers among others are used.
Editing of the tasks and repetitive drawing and erasing must be done manually. However, in the