Exam (elaborations)
BTEC level 3, M1 CAD
- Module
- BTEC level 3 engineering
- Institution
- BTEC Level 3 Engineering
Complete M1 task (Merit) for CAD, BTEC level 3 in Engineering. Marked as correct, completed to a distinciton.
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M1In engineering many CAD packages can be used alongside many different hardware
types to make the design, construction and final manufacturing stage of a product much
easier.
The bare minimum required for a CAD workstation to run when it comes to hardware is
at least 16GB RAM, a hard drive (preferably SSD) with at least 7GB left free, 3GB GPU
and 3.3 GHz. These specifications aren't necessarily optimal and investing in a better
CPU and a graphics card can significantly improve the way and speed at which CAD
software will work. Each CAD package has its own specifications that can usually be
checked on their website. Meeting and exceeding these requirements is crucial in
ensuring the CAD software runs smoothly and quickly.
But the "guts" of a PC set up aren't everything. To be able to work with a CAD package
a person needs not only the computer but also a keyboard, monitor, mouse (or
touchpad). Although when it comes to laptops, the keyboard can be integrated and
instead of using a monitor once can rely on the matrix and instead of using a mouse
one might use a touchpad. These are crucial in operating a CAD package because the
input and output of the CAD project depend on each of these elements.
CAD packages are commonly designed in a way that makes them compatible with other
external hardware such as 3D printers or plotters. Some CAD packages might also be
compatible with other software, hence it’s possible to export and import files between
different CAD environments.
CAD is extremely important for the manufacturing process as it greatly improves the
modelling and drafting of parts and assemblies. The process is quicker but also limits
the possibility of errors, be it from incorrect calculations, drawing mistakes, wrong
standards etc. CAD automates many of these things, as it carries out most of the
calculations and applies appropriate standards. Thanks to various types of simulations,
the time and expenses that normally would be invested in prototyping before
manufacture can be reduced. The prototyping itself is made easier by the use of CAD-
exported 3D models created on 3D printers. A part or an assembly can be scaled, and
3D printed to get a better idea of how and whether they work as intended. Moreover,
CAD files can be easily shared and reproduced. They can be used with printers,
plotters, scanners etc to, for example, reproduce drawings.
Another piece of hardware that can enhance the CAD work used for manufacturing is
drawing tablets. Drawing tablets transfer the input from a special pen onto the tablet and
then into the CAD environment, allowing for the sketches to be done easier and quicker
as well as limiting the amount of training a person has to go through to become efficient
in CAD.
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