2D versus 3D CAD
A number of decisions have to be made which directly affect the product's overall and total cost. One of the first decisions that has to be made deals with the initial design. At one time, engineers had to convert from manual design and drafting on a drawing board to 2D CAD. Now we are starting to see a new shift in the field cad design. Within the past decade, the engineering, design and drafting world has been experiencing a shift from 2d to 3d cad. Many inventors and companies still use 2d drawings and are starting to realize the benefit of skipping the 2d step and starting off with a 3d design because 3d modeling can save time and money as well as improve customer relations. This article will explain why inventors should take 3d cad into strong consideration.
These types of transitions occur from time to time and are completely normal. Many engineers will argue with these facts because only about 50% of the engineers out there use 3d modeling software, but the fact still remains that 3d cad models can save time and money in the long run and there are many facts that prove that the assumption that the use of 2d cad drawings is inexpensive is simply a myth.
The truth is that making 2d drawings is fast and easy, but the output is still a 2D drawing, which does not readily work with downstream systems like purchasing and manufacturing. In some cases 2d drawings are sufficient but 90% of the time they are not. In prototyping, for example, a 3d model has to be made because most of the prototyping machines require 3d data. In fact, the majority of the machines used to manufacture parts need 3d cad files and do not read 2d cad drawings because 2d drawings do not contain all information needed to develop a three-dimensional product.
When using 2d cad drawings during the manufacturing stage, numerous problems arise. Viewing 3d cad models helps identify errors early. These errors can be found while simulating the matching and mating of parts. Through the use of 3d cad, the assembly process of any given product can be simulated, visualized and analyzed before the design goes into production. 3d cad models are essential beforehand in determining the volume of material needed to mold specific parts as well. The use of 3d cad files also ensures that a design has sufficient room for other parts within the design.
Through the use of 3d cad modeling, engineers are able to create better designs than meet the unique requirements of any client in a relatively short amount of time. The internet has many tools that allow multiple individuals to communicate and collaborate online. 3d models of products or parts can be analyzed and looked at and edited in real time through the use of desktop sharing and/or a whiteboard. From an esthetic point of view, the use 3d cad is substantially more beneficial. A design in 3d is more realistic and the engineer has a better ability to make a design more attractive.
Collaboration between fellow engineers, clients and suppliers comes at greater ease because 3d cad files are 3 dimensional models of a specific part or application. It's much easier to communicate and collaborate when looking at a 3d model simply because It's easier to point out elements and explain what changes need to be made. In addition, 3d cad is not only advantages for determining the volume of the entire project and of each part included within the design for the sole purpose of knowing how much material is necessary to develop a certain quantity, but all dimensions can be observed with ease. The total weight, width, height, length and volume very often can be crucial elements in a design, especially when performing a structural analysis and when meeting legal requirements. Testing specific alternatives and dimension changes is simple not feasible without a 3D system. Designers must find room for specific elements and components within the design.
3d cad designers are able to test alternatives in less time. Alternative designs having alternative dimensions using alternative materials can be created easily. We all can agree that optimizing designs in a short time frame can also be very beneficial. Reducing a design's physical size and weight by 50% while making the parts stronger is unheard of with 2d cad drawings. This can be done in a relatively short amount of time through the use of 3d cad.
The use of 3d cad models is replacing the use of 2d cad drawings. 3d cad is simply more accurate than 2d cad drawings. the end result is better product, optimized in size, weight with better performance, no faults in the design, in less time, for less money. It's advanced nature allows designers to work on more complex models. The use of 3d cad technology reduces human error. Just as the use of the drawing board deteriorated overtime due to the advent of 2d cad software, the use of 2d cad files is becoming extinct because of the growing need for 3d cad technology to create better products, more efficiently.
01/07/2010
Silicone
EcoSkimple
Car Studies
Energy Source Facts
Fuel Studies
Fuel Source Facts
Algae Biofuel
Jatropha Biofuel
Rolf Albern
01/04/2010
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
02/06/2008
3d CAD
2d to 3d conversion
Clean up and repair of existing data files
Prototype Fabrication
Patents and/or patent literature
Manufacturing
02/06/2008
advantages and disadvantages of 2d cad
advantages and disadvantages of 3d cad
free advertising for freelance cadesigners and cad firms
list directories which either specialize in promoting cad firms or have cad firms
linux and cad
open source and cad
3d cad software
other cad/engineering software
whiteboard and desktop sharing
2d cad software
3d cad software
open source cad software
other cad/engineering software