Monday, September 19, 2011

CAD Design Program Made Easy

By Melker Fredriksson


Now that computers are such a part of everyday lives the programs that are used become more tuned to specific needs. So it is with the very specialized engineering CAD design program which MCAD supplies to the industry. This software can be used to create and develop different mechanical tools for use in specialized areas such as search and rescue.

This is software that contains a large database of standard engineering hardware. It enables the creation of new tools by building each individual piece which can be saved with an individual part number and called up again if required. It can even be amended to create another new part to fit elsewhere in the mechanism. The system can also create and store a related blueprint of each part.

The beauty of these systems is that a designer can create anything starting with a flat two-dimensional shape. This shape can then be pulled and dragged by the mouse into three dimensions and its size and proportions adjusted. Pieces may be added or removed from the item and holes made. You can smooth any sharp edges into curves by adding fillets.

Once you have a shape, you can make alterations to it just using another shape. Drawing a circle on the shape and dragging it into a cylindrical shape will either cut a hole or add a pin depending which way it is dragged. Another circle on the pin can then create a hole within the pin. The computer will make all necessary calculations to centralize the hole and show wall thickness. Any adjustments can be done by just moving the lines with the mouse and any changes will also be recorded on any blueprints that already exist within the system.

Once you have created the parts, they can be fitted together on the screen, allowing a work through of the actual build process. Nuts, bolts and washers can be added from the database as required, as can locking washers and other regular fittings. The program then allows for a test on the movement of hinged or working parts to show if there is any collision between parts. If collision is found, the parts can be adapted at this point in the program and all the information relating to that piece will be changed accordingly.

This software thus allows a business to design and build tools from absolutely nothing. The ability to run through the build process on the screen means that there should be no problems in the actual build. Once it is built, the whole device can be seen to move in its usual mode of operation with a full rotating three-dimensional view.

The system keeps track of every piece in its log. Each part has its own number and individual details. Even its weight and how much material it consists of and any standard parts that are adjusted are also logged. This allows any part to be recalled at any time for further use.

The use of a CAD design program that is this advanced, means that its possibilities are endless. Theoretically, there should be no job that can not be done through lack of the proper tool. The system gives the means to design a product which has no build problems and works perfectly.




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