Capabilities

The capabilities of modern CAD systems include:

• Wireframe geometry creation
• 3D parametric feature based modelling, Solid modelling
• Freeform surface modelling
• Automated design of assemblies, which are collections of parts and/or other assemblies
• create Engineering drawings from the solid models
• Reuse of design components
• Ease of modification of design of model and the production of multiple versions
• Automatic generation of standard components of the design
• Validation/verification of designs against specifications and design rules
• Simulation of designs without building a physical prototype
• Output of engineering documentation, such as manufacturing drawings, and Bills of Materials to reflect the BOM required to build the product
• Import/Export routines to exchange data with other software packages
• Output of design data directly to manufacturing facilities
• Output directly to a Rapid Prototyping or Rapid Manufacture Machine for industrial prototypes
• maintain libraries of parts and assemblies
• calculate mass properties of parts and assemblies
• aid visualization with shading, rotating, hidden line removal, etc.
• Bi-directional parametric association (modification of any feature is reflected in all information relying on that feature; drawings, mass properties, assemblies, etc.)
• kinematics, interference and clearance checking of assemblies
• sheet metal
• hose/cable routing
• electrical component packaging
• inclusion of programming code in a model to control and relate desired attributes of the model
• Programmable design studies and optimization
• Sophisticated visual analysis routines, for draft, curvature, curvature continuity.