What Does CAD/CAM in the Automotive Industry Look Like

Increasing demand for new approaches and efficient integration of geometry creation while reducing complexity and functional development are the crucial factors influencing upcoming CAD trends.

FREMONT, CA: Computer-aided design (CAD) systems are not new to the automotive industry tracing back to its application 30 years back, and now the software has evolved into advanced CAD programs bringing innumerable possibilities for the automotive development process. Besides serving the design process of the overall appearance of the vehicle, it also serves as a basis for the configuration and module systems. Here are the existing and upcoming technologies and is how their application in new, improved CAD programs will enhance the car manufacturing process.

Upcoming Trends in CAD

3D-CAD programs have changed applied design methods into something more than design software where the 3D design allows the integration of production-related knowledge. The evolution of 3D-CAD process enables specification of geometric data. The parametric-associative software divides the administration of geometry and its controlling parameters. This control of geometry model characteristics has opened up a new field of problem-specific design applications. These CAD programs now offer several functionalities, including the integration of catalog, macro-based interfaces, and data interference.

Integrated Software Platforms

Automotive software development is shifting towards integrated packages that combine CAD and simulation software. This strategy reduces data interference losses. Besides handling geometric data, the new intelligent geometric data exchange formats can handle enhanced product information as well. It increases the efficiency or virtual product development processes. Although there are seven integrated development platforms, they are complex loaded with tons of functionalities. To overcome this, the upcoming and improved development platforms should be intelligent while providing integration of multiple disciplines. And one best alternative would be Open-source CAD systems.

3D printing

3D printing allows creating hardware models out of 3D-CAD virtual geometric data. However combining hardware and virtual modeling into a single process will need new intelligent materials like metal, plastic, textile, and ceramics and the emerging technologies allow this. Also, handling dynamic 3D forms require new approaches to robust software programs. The concept is known as “Claytronics” that opens up a wide range of applications in product design.