CAD systems are computer-aided design systems

Many modern enterprises use computer-aided design or CAD systems. There are many suppliers of such solutions. The functions and capabilities of these design systems, in particular those provided by specialized software of the appropriate designation, can be very different. What is the essence of CAD? What are the nuances of developing these systems?

What are computer-aided design systems?

CAD is an automated system that is designed to implement one or another information technology for the implementation of design. In practice, they are technical systems that allow, thus, to automate, to ensure the independent operation of the processes that make up the development of projects. Depending on the context, CAD can be understood as:

- software used as the main element of the relevant infrastructure;

- a set of personnel and technical systems (including those that involve the use of CAD in the form of software), used by the enterprise to automate the development of projects.

Thus, it is possible to single out a broader and narrower interpretation of the term in question. It is difficult to say which of them is used in business more often, it all depends on the specific area of using CAD, the tasks that are designed to solve these systems. For example, in the context of a single production workshop under CAD, it is likely to be a specific program for computer-aided design. If we are talking about strategic planning for the development of the enterprise, this concept will probably correspond to the larger infrastructure involved in order to improve the efficiency of the development of various projects.

It is worth noting that CAD is an abbreviation, which can be deciphered in different ways. In general, it corresponds to the phrase "computer-aided design". However, there are other options for deciphering the corresponding abbreviation. For example, it can sound like a "project automation system".

In English, the Russian CAD term in meaning corresponds to the abbreviation CAD, in some cases - CAX. Let's consider in more detail, for what purposes computer-aided design systems in engineering and other spheres can be created.

Goals of creating CAD

The main goal of CAD development is to increase the efficiency of the work of enterprise specialists, who solve various production tasks. In particular, related to engineering design. The increase in efficiency in this case can be achieved by:

- reducing the labor intensity of the design process in production;

- Reduction of project implementation deadlines;

- reducing the cost of design work, as well as the costs associated with operation;

- ensuring the improvement of the quality of the design infrastructure;

- reduction of costs for modeling, as well as testing.

CAD is a tool that allows you to achieve the marked benefits by:

- automation of documentation;

- effective information support for specialists involved in project development;

- application of concepts of parallel design;

- unification of various solutions;

- implementation of strategic design;

- application of mathematical modeling as an alternative to costly testing;

- improving the quality of business management processes;

- optimization of design methods.

Let's consider now, in what structure the CAD can be presented.

CAD structure

The system of automated design of technological processes, for example, can include the following components:

- a complex of automation elements;

- software and hardware infrastructure;

- methodological tools;

- Elements of support of functionality of CAD.

The approach is widespread, according to which in the CAD structure it is necessary to allocate various subsystems. The key ones are:

- Servicing subsystems that support the functioning of the main design components of CAD, the infrastructure responsible for data processing, software maintenance;

- projecting subsystems, which, depending on the correlation with the development object, can be represented with objective problems or invariant, that is, associated with the implementation of specific projects or with a set of several.

CAD systems are systems that include certain functional components. Let's consider their features.

CAD Components

Automated design of control systems and industrial infrastructure, as we already know, consists of different subsystems. In turn, their components are components that ensure the functioning of the relevant elements of CAD. For example, it can be one or another program, file, hardware. Components that share common features form the means of providing design systems. These can be represented by the following main varieties:

- technical support, which is a collection of various technical means, such as computers, network components, measuring instruments;

- Mathematical models that combine these or other algorithms that are used to solve various problems;

- software - system, applied;

- information support, which is a collection of different data that is necessary for the purpose of implementing the design;

- Linguistic models, representing a set of different languages that are used in CAD to reflect information about design;

- methodical support, which is a set of approaches to ensuring the functioning of CAD, various methods of selecting technological concepts for achieving optimal results in the implementation of certain projects;

- organizational support, which is mainly represented by sources that determine the structure of the project documentation, as well as the characteristics of the automation system and how the results of project implementation should be reflected.

Automated systems for designing and processing information can be classified according to various criteria. Let's consider their specificity.

Classification of CAD

Among the most common CAD classification criteria is the branch designation of the corresponding systems. So, they distinguish:

- computer-aided design of engineering infrastructure;

- CAD for electronic equipment;

- computer-aided design in the field of construction.

The first type of CAD systems is used in a wide range of industries - in the automotive, aircraft building, shipbuilding, in the segments of production of various consumer goods. The relevant infrastructure is used to develop both individual parts and various mechanisms using various approaches in the context of parametric design and modeling.

The second type of CAD is used to design the finished electronic equipment, as well as its individual elements, for example, processors, integrated circuits and other types of hardware.

The third type of CAD is involved in the design of various buildings, structures, infrastructure elements.

The next criterion by which computer-aided design and programming systems can be classified is the target designation of CAD. So, they distinguish:

- design tools used to automate two-dimensional or three-dimensional geometric models, the formation of design documentation ;

- systems used for the development of various drawings;

- CAD, created for geometric modeling;

- systems designed to automate calculations within engineering projects, as well as dynamic modeling;

- CAD, designed for computer analysis of various parameters for projects;

- Automation tools used for technological optimization of projects;

- CAD, used to automate planning.

It should be noted that this classification should be considered conditional.

The automated system of technological design can include the widest range of functions from those listed above, and not only. The specific list of CAD capabilities is determined first of all by the developer of the corresponding system. Let's consider what tasks he can solve in principle.

CAD Development

Designing automated information processing, management, programming and other functions aimed at improving the efficiency of project development in various industries is a process that is characterized by a high level of complexity and requires considerable resources from its participants to invest in labor, financial. Experts identify several basic principles, according to which CAD development can be conducted. Among them are:

- unification;

- complexity;

- openness;

- interactivity.

Let us consider them in more detail.

Unification as a principle of development of CAD

Work with computer-aided design systems both at the stage of their development and during the period of using the corresponding infrastructure implies adherence to the principle of unification, according to which, these or other solutions can be equally effective and similar algorithms to be introduced in various industries. This principle assumes that a person using a CAD module familiar to him or, for example, the method of computer-aided design in one environment, can easily adapt them to the specific application in other conditions.

Unification of CAD is important from the point of view of the development of the enterprise - the developer of the corresponding system: the more universal the modules and approaches that this business entity offers to the market, the more intensive its growth can be, the higher the competitiveness and the readiness of new consumers for cooperation.

Complexity as a principle of CAD development

The next principle, which characterizes the process of designing automated systems, is complexity. He assumes that the CAD manufacturer will be able to endow his product with components that will allow his user to solve the tasks at various levels of project implementation. This aspect, perhaps, is key from the point of view of ensuring the competitiveness of the product and developing new markets for it. But it should be borne in mind that even the most complex solutions must meet other key principles of CAD development. Among these - openness.

Openness as a principle of development of CAD

Openness in this context can be understood in different ways, but in all cases its interpretation will be appropriate. The development of an automated design system is a process that must first of all be characterized by openness in terms of creating feedback between the CAD manufacturer and its users. The person using the appropriate system should be able to inform her developer about the problems identified, the features of the CAD operation under different conditions, to convey the brand's wishes to the brand producer regarding product improvement.

Openness in the development of CAD can also be expressed in the manufacturer's willingness to actively monitor technological developments, including from competing producers, to track various trends. In this case, the leading role in business can play not only technological units, but, for example, the company's marketing specialists, PR specialists, managers responsible for negotiations of the firm with partners.

Openness in the development of CAD is also the willingness of the developer of the corresponding system to direct dialogue with other suppliers, which again may be his direct competitors. The exchange of technologies allowing the creation of products through which effective automated design of control systems, industrial infrastructure, engineering developments can be implemented is also a significant factor in increasing the competitiveness of the brand supplying CAD in certain market segments.

Interactivity as a principle of CAD development

The next most important principle of creating CAD is interactivity. It presupposes first of all the creation by the developer of the appropriate systems of interfaces that facilitate the procedure of their involvement as much as possible, as well as the implementation of necessary communications with other CAD users.

Another aspect of interactivity is the provision, where necessary, of interaction between various modules of CAD systems within the framework of the formation of the production infrastructure.

It can be noted that the principle of interactivity is closely related to the first - unification. The fact is that the exchange of data within the framework of certain interactive procedures will be most effective if the necessary standardization of interaction between these or those subjects is made. This can be expressed in the unification of file formats, documents, procedures, language, engineering approaches when developing certain projects.

Particularly of great importance is the principle in question in CAD, through which the automated design of information systems is carried out. This area of application CAD is characterized, in particular, by a high degree of the need of users of the relevant infrastructure:

- in a regular, dynamic interaction among themselves;

- providing links between a large number of CAD modules;

- optimization of various interactive procedures;

- operational reporting.

Only if the interactivity of CAD systems is sufficient, users have the right to expect an effective solution of such production problems.