| CAD stands for Computer Aided Design or Computer | | | | generally be broken into two groups. The groups are |
| Aided Drafting. CAD was developed in the early 60s. | | | | 2-D drafting packages or 3-D drafting packages. Most |
| Today it is the premier way to design, develop and | | | | all software packages are moving to 3-D design. 3-D |
| optimized products. People use CAD every day to | | | | design is really the next generation of CAD. Utilizing |
| design virtually every product you see. Generally, | | | | 3-D design, engineers can make a model of their |
| designers use CAD to design a product, and then | | | | product. They can then look over this model for any |
| produce prints to manufacture that product. A print is a | | | | apparent defects before it is ever made. |
| picture of a part or assembly that is very exact. It | | | | CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products. |
| includes the dimensions and a parts list used to | | | | CAD is mainly used for the engineering of models and |
| manufacture a product. | | | | or drawings of components. It is also used throughout |
| CAD is the use of computer based software | | | | the engineering process from concept to design of |
| packages that assist engineers, architects and other | | | | products. These products can be used by end |
| design professionals in their designs. CAD is the part of | | | | consumers or used in other products. For example, |
| the main designing process and involves both | | | | you can design a bolt in CAD, and then use it in a |
| software and sometimes hardware. Current software | | | | Sub-Assembly in a planetary, which is a part of an |
| packages range from 2D vector based drafting | | | | earth-moving machine. CAD is also used in the design |
| systems to 3D solid and surface modelers. | | | | of tools and machinery. Finally, it is used in the design |
| Computer Aided Drafting software packages can | | | | of all types of buildings from sheds to shopping malls. |