Exam (elaborations)
BTEC level 3 D1 CAD
- Module
- BTEC level 3 engineering
- Institution
- BTEC Level 3 Engineering
Complete D1 task (distinction) for CAD, BTEC level 3 in Engineering. Marked as correct, completed to a distinciton.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
Advantages and importance of the use of CAD for the manufacturing processCAD 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.
Another noteworthy albeit obvious hardware are scanners that enable the transfer of
data from a hard copy to a soft one. A technical drawing can be scanned and saved in
various formats such as PDF, ODT, DOCX etc. This means that changes can be made
electronically. The document can also be shared with multiple people who will have
continuous insight into the changes and might choose to save the original document
separately.
CAD can also be combined with CAM – computer aided manufacturing. CAM is a type
of software used after the CAD design process has been completed. It is used to
process the parts and assemblies into machine language that is “understandable” for
the CNC machines. CAM needs to be programmed (in what is known as G-Code) to be
able to calculate cutting paths for the tools used to remove excess material in order to
produce a functional part.
CNC machines are the basis of modern manufacture, and CAD is the most efficient way
of creating reasonable instructions for them to follow and manufacture the parts and
assemblies.
Using CAD allows the design engineer to get a three-dimensional, visual idea of what
the final product will look like. This includes how certain parts fit together in an
assembly. Any mistakes made in the design process can be caught and corrected early
on.
A CAD package is a complex and powerful piece of software that includes a multitude of
tools that allow the user to perform various operations, including simple simulations.
, Moreover, CAD drawings have incredible accuracy which removes the need for
redrawing after drafting mistakes. Regular drafting of technical drawings requires a lot of
skill and practice and even then, can take hours to complete. CAD software generates
the drawings automatically and correctly from the models created previously. Moreover,
it also produces better quality drawings. Often, an engineer needs to deal with complex
models and assemblies which can be very difficult and time-consuming for the drafter.
CAD solves this issue completely. It also decreases the overall need for manufacturing
prototypes. In situations where one is needed, it will still decrease the cost because if
the design needs to be changed in any way the prototype will need to be made from
scratch which will be a waste of money and potentially expensive materials. This also
helps the issue of storage and disposal as CAD models can be stored in the cloud
whilst physical models and prototypes can take up a lot of space and there are many
regulations one needs to follow when disposing of certain materials commonly used in
engineering.
Moreover, when using CAD for producing technical drawings used in manufacturing it’s
significantly easier and faster to make changes to the drawings if a change to the part is
made, or the drawing needs to be modified. It also reduces the risk of mistakes because
the views are created automatically, whereas when drawn by hand, an engineer might
make a mistake. They are also more accurate because the CAD designer can choose a
specific scale and the drawing will scale itself, whereas in hand-drawn engineering
drawings, a lot of calculations need to be made to create a drawing with a particular
scale. Furthermore, it’s also more precise because the drawing is made of very small
pixels that when printed out create a precise, cohesive form, while traditional drawings
won’t ever live up to the same standard because the human eye and hand can get quite
accurate but nowhere near as good as a computer. Moreover, the chances of rookie
mistakes are greatly reduced because CAD has built-in drawing standards. Yet another
advantage to using CAD to produce drawings is the ease of communication – they can
be easily shared through various methods like email, but if there is a need to a physical
copy they can be easily printed off. Creating engineering drawings in CAD is also
advantageous because it’s electronic – it can be saved to the cloud or downloaded on
the computer. Considering that backups are possible and sometimes recommended,
there shouldn’t be any instances where drawings have been lost beyond recovery,
unlike with traditional drawings which can be ripped, torn, lost, have spills, smudges,
creases etc.
CAD also has the advantage of providing history-based management for all of the
changes made to a project. Meaning that if a certain feature doesn’t work or look
correctly, it’s possible to retrace the steps taken while making it and find the mistake. Or
perhaps if a previous version of the same part was better, it’s easy to restore it.
It makes any and all changes easier and more accessible as the program calculates
and renders the differences automatically without any additional input from the
engineer.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller dagmarasajdak. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £5.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
76462 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now