Organise and manage CAD data efficiently with nscale
Computer-aided design (CAD) has long since replaced the manual creation of technical drawings, models and designs. CAD systems are a staple within a wide range of industries today. During the design process, numerous documents are created that need to be managed efficiently. This is where many CAD systems come unstuck. Integration with a powerful information platform such as nscale offers the solution.
What is computer-aided design?
Computer-aided design, or “CAD” for short, is a computer-based technology that allows designers to digitally model, modify, analyse and optimise products in 2D or 3D. Many CAD solutions have additional functionalities including the generation of machine-readable code for production systems.
CAD integration for your applications
Effective management is essential to get the most out of CAD. The nscale information platform integrates and stores CAD data into structured, central files. In doing so, nscale makes CAD data available to authorised users from any location and enables the joint editing of CAD models. At the same time, nscale supports transparent processes for quality checks and approvals, the logged dispatch of CAD files and audit-proof archiving. This is carried out in compliance with best practices for the electronic storage of books, records and documents (GoBD) for efficient CAD plan management.
Who works with CAD systems?
CAD programmes are used in many different industries, including:
- Mechanical and plant engineering
- Architecture
- Building construction and civil engineering
- Vehicle manufacturing
- Aerospace technology
- Wood and metal construction
- Technical product design
- (Dental) medical technology
- Graphic and game design
- Fashion and jewellery design
- Virtual Reality
What can be created using CAD programmes?
CAD solutions enable designers to create products such as models, drafts, designs, construction plans and technical drawings. Modern CAD systems are also able to generate accompanying documents for designs such as assemblies and parts lists, i.e. lists of all components required for a design.
Marketing and product management departments, for example, can also use CAD to create photorealistic visualisations and renderings for use in presentations and other illustrative purposes, even while a product remains in design.
Tools and functions of CAD solutions
There are many CAD solutions on the market with different functionalities, especially those that are industry-specific. The following tools and functions are standard features of CAD systems:
- Creation and modification of static and moving two- or three-dimensional geometric models using various modelling methods (parametric, generative, volume, surface modelling, etc.)
- Visualisation of models in three-dimensional spaces
- Generation of technical drawings from models and assemblies
- Creation of model and assembly-related parts lists
- Assignment of properties, production materials, and associated calculation of model impacts
- Generation of 3D print data
- Generation of machine code for production systems
- Analysis (stability, material strength, stresses, etc.)
- Simulations (flow, thermal, structural, mechanical, etc.)
- Simple management of planning data
The advantages of computer-aided design
- Time saving: CAD allows design models to be created and modified quickly
- Cost savings: The rapid creation and modification of models, as well as the elimination of manual processing steps, saves companies money.
- Error reduction: A digital workflow minimises risk
- Lean production: Products can be tested, analysed and optimised virtually in the design phase, enabling designers to streamline the production process before a physical product is created
- Digital plan management: Using a central information platform, such as nscale, provides seamless access to all planning data to anyone who needs it, no matter their location
What is the difference between using CAD and drawing by hand?
Creating models in CAD delivers several advantages compared to manual drawing. Designers can create, edit and optimise models significantly faster, while also reducing errors and risk. CAD can be used to test design variables in 3D environments pre-production, for example, virtually modelling the effects of different materials. Data loss is virtually impossible with CAD since it enables designers to restore previous versions of a design and therefore also track all edits that have been made. Last but not least, CAD solutions can be integrated with other applications, such as product data management software, via individual interfaces.
Which file formats can be used to export CAD documents?
There are a wide range of CAD file formats. They are divided into proprietary formats, which are manufacturer-dependent and can only be recognised by certain CAD programmes, and non-proprietary formats. The latter are generic and can be used across CAD systems.
The most common CAD file formats are:
- .dwg: proprietary, but a quasi-standard used by several CAD programs. Similar to the .dwt format, which is also proprietary
- .dxf: non-proprietary standard for the file exchange of design data
- .sab/ .sat: proprietary formats
- .stl: non-proprietary file format, quasi-standard for 3D printing
- Other formats:.step/ .stp, .jt, .qif, .iges/ .igs, .vrml, .vda, .ply, .rvt, .ifc, .fbx, .skp, .ipt, .prt, .3ds, .3dm etc.
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Ceyoniq Technology GmbH is a group company of Kyocera Document Solutions.
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