Computer Aided Design
We use professional 3D CAD software to design components which can then be fabricated and assembled for testing.
This does not equate to technical drawings and neither are the designs just artist’s impressions (although renderings can be created which can serve these functions). In fact the modelled objects are shaped in 3D virtual space.
The advantage of this is that they can be transformed into machine code (‘g-code’) which can then be used for 3D printing or other digital manufacturing processes.
This aspect has transformed the process of R&D work. In the past parts had to be manually fabricated. Now parts can be designed and created relatively quickly but very precisely.
What is CAD?
Computer Aided Design
In the past ‘CAD’ basically meant (2D) technical drawing using a computer. The advantages of this over the traditional hand-drawn approach were vast -similar in the engineering world to the adoption of the PC over the typewriter in the business world. It was a powerful and time-saving tool (and still is). An example would be when it is necessary to make a component or an assembly longer: with CAD you can do it instantly and save hours of redrawing and there are of course many other advantages. The term ‘CAD’ now covers a broad range of activities and people often get confused by what is being offered or presented.
3D Modelling
3D modelling is the modern update on traditional 2D CAD. Put simply, it means that the component (or assembly of components) has been created in virtual space and exists as a precise mathematical model. This model can be used to create ‘renderings’ which can indeed be used as ‘artists impressions’ or the model can be processed into machine code and sent to a machine such as a 3D printer.
Artistic Impressions
3D modelling is not only used in the field of engineering but is applied to many kinds of 3D graphics. The famous opening scenes in Game-of-Thones are animated 3D models. Renderings or artistic impressions are 3D images created for visual or presentation purposes only. They have no engineering basis and cannot be used for prototyping or manufacturing.
Confusing artistic impressions with real Computer Aided Design
A problem exists for people without a technical background because an invention development company can create very impressive 3D models of something without there necessarily being any real engineering input at all.
There are companies (and one very high profile company in particular) who are encouraging people to believe that they provide a technical engineering design service for their clients when in fact what they actually do is provide ‘visuals’ only i.e., more or less just artist’s impressions. This may not be clear to the client because they may not be familiar with CAD terminology. We have had several clients who paid thousands to a company believing that they were going to undertake engineering design on their behalf but all they have done is to create very impressive-looking ‘visuals’ with no real engineering basis at all. Clients had been encouraged to apply for a patent through the same company but the concept was flawed: does not obey the laws of physics and the company should have informed her of this.
For the small-scale innovator embarking on this kind of technical voyage of discovery, it boils down to two things really: are you being offered what is effectively artist’s impressions or are you being offered something that can actually be used for engineering purposes? If the design is just intended to show the concept then it may be very different from something that can be used as part of the manufacturing process. If all you have are artist impressions the design may have to be redone completely.
What do you need?
The most important question to ask is what you actually need the design work for? Marketing, tooling & production or proof-of-concept? When you are looking to have a prototype made you need to be sure that you are talking to the right people and that you are asking for the right thing. Do you just want artists impressions in order to discuss the concept with investors? Do you want 3D modelled products to enable you to cost up for production? Or do you want to make and test the idea before going further?