Skills Competitions

Mechanical Engineering CAD

Computer aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to facilitate the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of an engineering design. CAD software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communication through documentation, and create a database for manufacturing. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, manufacturing or other manufacturing processes.

The technical and engineering drawings and images must convey information such as materials, processes, dimensions and tolerances according to application-specific conventions. CAD may be used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional (2D) space or curves, surfaces and solids in three-dimensional (3D) space. One of the prominent benefits of CAD software is the ability to assemble different pieces of the same product and animate the 3D imagery of the pieces working together.

CAD is extensively used in many applications, including automotive, ship building and aerospace industries, and in industrial design. CAD software helps designers to explore ideas, visualize concepts through photorealistic renderings and movies and simulates how the design project will perform in the real world.