Seradex CAD Partners
CAD/CAM systems of growing sophistication have become ubiquitous with even the smallest manufacturing company. More and more real-world objects begin their design life as geometric objects modeled within a computer. Most companies are currently using CAD (computer aided design) for engineering and design processes. Most companies are planning to increase their use of CAD. CAD is seen by companies as a useful design tool. CAD is playing an increasing valuable role in concurrent or simultaneous engineering. CAD's role in rapid prototyping, and automated bills of material are also being utilized.
Over the past two decades, engineering computer technology has evolved from software programs capable of only simple drafting that cost $125,000 per seat, to $5,000 personal computer-based software with three-dimensional solid modeling capabilities. The complex designs that engineers produce with present-day CAD software can be tested by the company before ever being produced.
Things have changed in recent times. With the advent of faster PC's, solid modeling has come to the PC CAD/CAM world. Products like SolidWorks are leading a pack of big CAD names promoting PC-based CAD for design. CAM products are also moving into the solid modeling world. One big advantage of solids is that they provide data integration without translation. Any CAD or CAM product based on the same modeler can exchange data as well as the big integrated systems do.
Modern PC CAD and CAM products allow you to enjoy the same level of Integration once reserved for high dollar CAD/CAM systems. And you get to select the product mix best suited for your business.
Current CAD/CAM technology can not only produce 2D and 3D design specifications but transform CAD drawings into photo realistic virtual products and to gain an awareness of CAD data and how such information can be transferred to CAM equipment.
Employees must learn not only how to design, but also how to create and submit a bill of materials, and how to use a collaborative-design process to work with other disciplines. So CAD's increasing capabilities cannot be truly utilized unless the ERP system can be integrated to the design process. If a drawing is changed how can you be sure that the associated bill of material in Seradex is also updated?
Today is Sunday 21st of March 2010 06:17 AM EST
