An analogy between conventional and unorthodox CAD methods

Abstract

Advanced CAD technology helps its users unleash their ingenuity by enabling them to do what has never been done in product design. The next generation technology offers state of the art design environment with swifter loading times and newer options to elucidate the model. Work has progressively been done by global coders employed by the CAD software companies, writing complex codes so as to make the design process smooth and rapid. The advanced CAD technology also asks for high graphic resolution and storage space. For this, advanced workstations have been deployed. The challenges faced by designers in CAD industry vary from increasingly intricate products dependent on good CAD infrastructure to ever decreasing time between the initiation and completion of a production process, and these can only be achieved with an articulate software that combines the best tools onto a single platform. To understand the difference in what the advanced CAD technology has to offer and primitive CAD tools lack in, a 3D CAD model of Single Plate Clutch was designed and modelled, initially on obsolete CAD platform currently not suitable for 3D modelling (Autocad, in this case), and then on contemporary advanced CAD platform (Siemens NX12). The whole process comprised of modelling, assembly and drafting of the machine. Thereafter, differences in terms of time consumed, ease of designing and quality of design produced (conformity towards manufacturability) were recorded. Finally, it was concluded that the advanced CAD platform offered more functionality and successfully meets the requirements of the growing CAD industry.