Subject Knowledge Booster Course

an introduction to CAD/CAM

John Lee / Jenny DeinJanuary 2008

SKBC : CAD/CAM

aims:

to consider the increasingly important role of CAD and CAM in the fields of industry and commerce

to develop personal capability in the use of a range of CAD and CAM applications

to explore a range of designing and making strategies that make appropriate use of CAD and CAM

CAD or computer aided design is the process of creating industrial product designs using computersoftware

CAM or computer aided manufacturing uses computers to programme these designs into equipmentthat will actually manufacture the products.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD

what is CAD/CAM?

CAD/CAM increasingly central role in design and manufacture

increasing ‘customisation’ of products and reduced ‘time to market’

the shift towards a ‘concurrent engineering’ philosophy

development of rapid prototyping techniques eg: stereolithography / laminate object modelling / digital printing

concurrent engineering

case study in concurrent engineering:

Virgin Voyager – the ‘virtual train’

Bombadier Transportation (in world’s top 40 most successful enterprises)

client – Virgin Trains : Project - ‘Voyager the train for the 21st century'

design team – 5 sites in 4 European countries

project design managed using 3D design software, CATIA and EDM software

timescale - 2 years – delivered on time (penalty clause for non-delivery £5m / month)

definition:the process of involving all branches of manufacturing in the initial design of a product. This shortens the manufacturing cycle because all departmental needs have been considered ‘concurrently’ and, as a result, there should be no need for redesign at any stage of manufacture.

computer aided design & manufacturefundamental to company success:

case study – Polaroid

reducing ‘time to market’ avoiding the cost of ‘getting it wrong’:

Factor

design concept 1prototype 1000tooling change 100 000production change 1 000 000product recall 10 000 000

Source : Pankhurst Design and Development (PDD)

digital printinguse: digital textile printing enables the rapid prototyping of textile designs and products and eliminate the need for traditional time consuming and expensive sampling

benefits: no start up costs no minimum print run designs printed on demand quick turn around – jobs normally completed

in a week print directly onto fabric photographic image quality ideal for short print runs, engineered prints

or customised designs

example: Bar and restaurant interior schemes often require short print runs of bespoke fabric that would incur prohibitive origination charges if conventionally printed

computer aided design & manufactureconsumer markets:

case study –The Face

Users can now superimpose a photo of their own face onto their 3D virtual model. This application meets the expectations of fashion shoppers who for years have been asking for more realistic avatars. Using The Face, they can now personalize their virtual selves and achieve greater satisfaction in their shopping and social experiences. For retailers this experience is expected to drive brand loyalty, higher customer satisfaction.

Source: myvirtualmodel.com

computer aided design“even the new generation of designer modellers need precise detailed information to create a computer model. The need for accuracy frequently conflicts with the initial stages of the design process, because ambiguity and imprecision are often hallmarks of creativity”

R.Baker - designer

‘

computer aided design where & when does it start?

“basic elements of the product are still defined by conventional sketching and modelling”

Julian Thomson – Chief Designer, Jaguar Cars

CAD/CAM in schoolsDfES / DATA Initiative

Aim: to modernise the design and technology curriculum through CAD/CAM

Pro/DESKTOP (September 1999) 3D solid modelling

ArtCAM (December 1999) 3D art & design modelling

Speedstep (February 2002) textile design

Pro/ENGINEER (October 2007) engineering

design

SKBC TIMETABLE

Competence based CAD – 3D Solid Modelling (Pro/DESKTOP)

Competence based CAD – Textile Design (Speedstep)

Using CAD in presentations

Corel Draw introduction

Introduction to CAM

Supported self study

Accreditation opportunities