Learn how to make use of CAD for Work or Study!
Computer-aided design (CAD) has largely replaced manual hand drafting. It is a software programme that makes it easier to develop and visualise ideas, as well as alter and improve them. Although learning CAD can be difficult and time-consuming, it minimises the amount of time and effort required to develop visual renderings of designs. There are numerous CAD software applications available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Some are expensive, while others are completely free. They all follow the same design concepts. Many CAD software applications are based on the ADAM core system. Some CAD programmes are solely for design. In certain cases, the design function is included as part of a bigger software package.
Course Code: BIT209
Nominal Duration: 100 hours
This course teaches the fundamentals of what CAD is and how it is used so that the knowledge can be applied to whichever type of software you prefer to use. You will learn to apply computer technology to design and assist planning in a range of industries, including landscaping, construction, engineering, and manufacturing. This course is ideal for those hoping to start out using CAD design of for those moving into a role where CAD is used.
LESSON STRUCTURE
There are 10 lessons in this course:
Lesson 1. Scope & Nature of Computer Aided Design
- History of Technical Drawing and of CAD
- Why CAD? - Applications
- Solid Modelling or Manufacturing
- Surface Modelling
- Assembly
- Drafting Detailing
- Reverse Engineering
- Scanners
Lesson 2. Types of CAD Software
- CAD System Components
- Popular CAD Software
- Create a CAD Project
Lesson 3. CAD Design Principles
- Basics of CAD
- Cartesian Coordinate System
- Spatial Reasoning
- Orthographic Projections
- CAD Design General Principles
- CAD Design Process
- CAD Design Effective Use Principles
Lesson 4. Landscape Mapping and Planning
- Plan Types
- Site Plan/Base Plan
- Topographic Plan
- Concept Plan
- The Final Plan
- Other Plans
- How Landscape Plans are Presented
- Steps In The Design Procedure
- Landscape Graphics
- Surveying and Measurement
- Levelling
- Area Measurement
- Measurement of Volume
- Earthworks
- Limitations of CAD in Landscape Design
Lesson 5. Construction and Engineering
- CAD in Construction
- Building Information Modelling
- Application to Construction
- Types of Drawings
- Architectural Drawings
- Building Services Drawings
- Miscellaneous Drawings
- Submission Drawings, Models, Environment Plans
Lesson 6. Architecture and Urban Planning
- CAD Modelling
- Urban Planning
- Architecture
- Architectural Views
- Using Templates
- CAD visualisation
- Virtual Tours
- Risk Management
- Risk Identification
- Risk Assessment
- Building Information Modelling
- Optimisation
Lesson 7. Manufacturing
- Computer Numerical Control
- Computer Aided Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Technology
- Benefits
- Design
- Financial
- Tooling
- Outsourcing
- Quality and Inspection
- Logistics
- Green Strategy
Lesson 8. Rapid Prototyping
- Why Rapid Prototyping is Important
- The Prototyping Process
- Types of Rapid Prototyping
- Additive Manufacturing
- Binder Jetting
- Other Manufacturing Techniques
- High Speed Machining
- Laser Cutting
- Water Cutting
- Electrical Discharge Machining
- Extruding, Moulding, Casting
- Injection Moulding
Lesson 9. 3D Printing
- History of 3D Printing
- Types of 3D Printing
- 3D Scanners
- Types of Software
- Slicer Software
- Type of Printing Materials
- Advantages and Disadvantages of 3D Printing
- Applications of 3D Printing
- The Future of 3D Printing
Lesson 10. Further Applications
- Enhanced Reality
- Augmented Reality
- Virtual Reality
- Mixed Reality
- Artificial Intelligence
- Generative Design
- The Cloud
- Customisation and Other Applications
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
LESSON AIMS
- Discuss the scope and nature of computer-aided design.
- Compare characteristics of different types of CAD software.
- Outline broad underlying principles of computer aided design.
- Explain CAD applications for land mapping, planning and earthworks.
- Explain CAD applications in construction and engineering.
- Explain the importance of CAD in architecture and urban planning.
- Explain CAD applications in manufacturing.
- Explain CAD applications for rapid prototyping.
- Explain CAD applications for 3D printing.
- Determine further applications for CAD.
What You Will Do
- Talk to someone who has got some knowledge in CAD about the advantages of using CAD over manual drafting and the best CAD software they recommend for a beginner.
- Install any open-source CAD software (example: FreeCAD) on your computer and try to learn about its characteristics of it and the different modelling types used in that software.
- Choose any design project of your choice and try to follow the CAD design process. Make notes on your approaches to conception, design, validation, and presentation steps of the design process.
- Design a garden/ lawn for your house and make a drawing. Make sure you present all the required information accurately and clearly.
- Install any open-source CAD software in your computer. Explore the architectural drawing options in that software. Try to create the drawing of any project of your choice using the tools available.
- Write down your understanding of urban planning. Try to draw a rough plan for a neighbourhood consisting of houses, a library, government offices, and a school.
- Using a CAD model design of your own or finding one that interests you online, make notes on the process to turn the design into a finished product using a 3D printer of your choice.
WHAT CAN CAD DO?
Here are just some of the applications:
Solid Modelling or Manufacturing
Designs that are created using computers can be used to create solid products one of two ways:
- Taking a solid object, like a block of plastic, and cutting out the bits that are not wanted.
By combining and cutting different solid volumes, this procedure is utilised to construct solid components of the desired shape. The final solid model is a virtual reproduction of a real product that can be seen and turned in the same way that a real object can.
- Printing a solid object with a 3-D printer.
Surface Modelling
Trimming, sewing, and combining different surfaces to generate a final shape. Surface modelling is used to build the textured surfaces of a desired shape.
Assembly
Models are created in solid or surface modelling and then assembled. This allows the manufacturer to see the actual fitment of the models and the assembly process.
Drafting Detailing
Creates 2D drawings of components or assemblies. Although 2D CAD can created 2D drawings, these can also be produced from a 3D model.
Reverse Engineering
Reverse engineering involves converting a real component into a 3D CAD model. Different instruments, including laser or white light scanners, and CMM (coordinate measuring machine) are used to analyse the shape of the real model. The virtual model can then be modified in a CAD program.
Why Choose This Course?
- Develop strong foundational skills with CAD software
- Enhance your skills to move into a new role or develop in your current one
- For owners, managers and designers discover the capabilities and opportunities that using CAD can provide
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