What Are The Advantages of CAD?

Since the 1960s, Computer Aided Design (CAD) has been utilised by both designers and engineers to help create, amend, and optimise product designs. This helps to increase the quality of the product – and ultimately achieve a higher level of user/customer satisfaction.

At Salamander Fabrications, our CAD design service is one of the vital beginning stages within our sheet metal fabrication process – forming part of nearly every project we work on. 

So, we know better than most how useful CAD software can be when we provide our metal fabrication services. That’s why we’ve created our own blog below to highlight the pros of using CAD. Read on to find out more about the advantages of CAD, who uses CAD software, and some drawbacks you might encounter.

To find out more about Salamander Fabrications’ CAD design services, get in touch with our sales team today at 01484 843599.

What is CAD?

As the name suggests, CAD is simply a way for businesses to create 2D drawings and 3D models of products in their pipeline, before they have been manufactured in real life.

Prior to the introduction of CAD, designers would mock up the design for a product on paper – painstakingly drawing every detail. When a feature needed to be modified, the designer would have to redraw the entire product.

But, thanks to the many features of CAD, businesses that use it can design mock-ups which can then be modified, reviewed, and shared in real time. This helps streamline the design process and enables real-time collaboration amongst team members – but these aren’t the only advantages the service offers…

The advantages of using CAD

As mentioned, there are a vast amount of advantages you can receive when using CAD software – or when you work with a business that does. Let’s explore the benefits of CAD in more detail below:

Comprehensive and simple designs

When it comes to product drawings, some designs can be much more difficult to comprehend than others. For example, architectural designs might be harder to envisage without the use of 3D modelling due to the complexity of their structure.

But, when using CAD designs, individuals can better visualise a manufacturing project and understand the vision of the designer thanks to the 3D models they can create, which shows every angle, surface, and view of the product.

Minimises the chance of errors occurring

Using CAD software can also help minimise the chance of errors occurring. This is because of the many features the software provides, including:

• Design alteration
• Design precision
• Design tools, such as animations
• Simulation capabilities

All of the above means users of CAD software can make adjustments to their products with ease, without having to start a design from scratch. Moreover, if a design has an unmistakable flaw, it will likely be noticed during the 3D model stage, and not when the product is in its final stages of design – which is when it’s more difficult to modify.

Increased productivity and time efficiency

Another advantage of using CAD software is that it can help increase productivity and efficiency within a business. We’ve already mentioned how mistakes can be fixed more quickly using CAD software than with a design that has been drawn, but it also has several automation features that streamline the process.

For example, it can fill in portions of a building’s design plans with its automated drafting tools. Or, it can even create design plans based on preset parameters and templates. So, instead of starting a design from the very beginning, you can save time by using a template to provide the foundations of the structure.

Easier integration with manufacturing processes

CAD software also allows for easier integration with other manufacturing processes. It can be used in conjunction with CAE (computer-aided software engineering) which can give the designer/engineer a better idea of how the product will work in the real world.

For example, CAE tools can simulate how a product will react in different conditions, such as with heavier loads and environmental conditions. When used with CAD, the engineering/design process is much smoother because users are able to develop the products more quickly than with physical designs.

What are the drawbacks of using CAD?

It’s no secret – CAD has definitely improved the working lives of designers and engineers all over the world. But, whilst its technology has helped businesses in a manner of ways, it still comes with some drawbacks that you need to be aware of, including:

Infrastructure limitations

One drawback that can occur when using CAD software is that it is used online. And, with any IT application or software, it can be prone to technological crashes which could disrupt the design or cause data loss. 

To avoid this, ensure you save your work frequently, and if you can, use an auto-save feature.

Consistent training is needed

Consistent training with CAD software is a must if you want to create seamless designs. But, it does mean investing time and money in the development of staff to ensure they have the qualifications to use CAD. 

If you want to save money, consider asking one of your trained experts to guide others into using the best practice with CAD software.

Different formats

Different CAD software programmes will also have different IT requirements – making it more difficult to share and collaborate on designs if your engineers are using various devices. To minimise this issue, ensure your equipment is frequently updated and troubleshoot common problems when you can.

CAD software might be the future of manufacturing, but no piece of software is perfect. But being aware of the potential drawbacks of using CAD can better equip businesses to handle them if and when they do occur. 

FAQs

Who uses CAD software?

It might seem industry-specific, but CAD software is actually utilised by many people within a variety of professions. For example, CAD is used by:

• Engineers: CAD software is mostly utilised by engineers, as it gives them the precision and accuracy that allows them to get a better picture of how the product they’re manufacturing will work in a real-life environment.
• Product designers: Whether it’s to design smaller components of a piece of equipment for businesses, or to create a product for consumers, any type of product designer can benefit from using CAD software. Mostly, they’ll be able to take advantage of real-time modifications without having to start their design again.
• Graphic designers: It might seem surprising, but graphic designers can also benefit from using CAD software. They can use it to help clients visualise a product; and take advantage of the many tools it offers, such as the ability to add digital effects, different backgrounds, and even animations.

What is the best CAD software?

There are a variety of CAD software applications available. Finding out which one will suit your needs the best depends on your industry, business, products or services. When assessing which software is best for your business, ensure you consider factors including:

• Budget: You might have the funds to pay for CAD software, but don’t forget, there are free options available as well.
• Desired features: Ensure you consider your desired features. If you’re a graphic designer, animation effects might be important to you to have in your package.
• User reviews: Ensure you look into reviews of the CAD software you’re thinking of purchasing. It doesn’t hurt to get real-life recommendations, too!

At Salamander, we use SOLIDWORKS, an industry leading CAD software package that specialises in 2D and 3D design. And, because we’re dedicated to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to technological innovations, we update our package regularly to ensure we always provide the most cutting-edge software.

Contact Salamander Fabrications for accurate results

After reading the above, you might now be convinced of the many benefits CAD design offers. So much so that you’re interested in using it in your next sheet metal fabrication project. But, where do you begin to find a service that is familiar with CAD and knows how to use it to provide the best possible results?

Luckily, when you work with Salamander Fabrications, our design team has years of experience in product design and creation – as well as extensive knowledge about applying this to a sheet metal fabrication context.

We’ll help you get your projects off the ground with our variety of sheet metal fabrication services, including laser cutting and welding.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our vast offering, get in touch with our team of experts today.