CAD

Computer-aided design (CAD) is used in construction, mechanical and electrical engineering.

The main tasks of the CAD system is to develop project documentation, three-dimensional model and appropriate presentation of the object that is created in order to demonstrate it to potential customers. CAD system can be open or closed. In closed systems user does not have and cannot have access to the programming modules and in open systems (programmable), user can change or complement the missing portions of the program, for example add programs needed for simulation.

CAD systems are widely used in:

• mechanical engineering to create 2D and 3D drawings of machinery and equipment
• electrical engineering to design of integrated circuits and electrical installations,
• construction to design of buildings, models and surrounding space.

The advantage of CAD systems in relation to traditional drawing methods is a digital record of the geometry of objects that allows to quickly and easily create complex models with possibility of making any number of amendments to the project.

Computer-aided design History

The history of CAD dates back to the 1950s, when the first computer-aided design systems were developed. The first commercial CAD software, called Sketchpad, was developed by Ivan Sutherland in the early 1960s as part of his PhD thesis at MIT. This program was based on the concept of direct manipulation, where the user could interact with the computer using a light pen to draw on a cathode ray tube display.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the first CAD systems for industrial use were developed, primarily for use in the aerospace and automotive industries. These early systems were expensive and required specialized hardware and training, making them accessible only to large companies.

During the 1970s and 1980s, advances in computer technology led to the development of more affordable and user-friendly CAD software, making it accessible to a wider range of industries and users.

The 1990s saw the rise of 3D CAD software, which allowed for the creation of more realistic and accurate models. The development of the Internet also enabled the sharing and collaboration of CAD data across different locations and organizations.

Nowadays, CAD technology is widely used in a variety of industries, including architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and construction, and continues to evolve with advancements in computer technology and artificial intelligence.

CAD — recommended articles

Operating system — Knowledge tree — Adaptive learning — Barcode — Innovative technologies — Service delivery architecture — Open-source software — CAE — Virtual structure

References

• Renner, G., & Ekárt, A. (2003). Genetic algorithms in computer aided design. Computer-Aided Design, 35(8), 709-726.