Advantages
* Can be more accurate than hand-drawn designs - it reduces human error. * You can save and edit ideas, which makes it easier and cheaper to modify your design as you go along. * You can modify existing ideas, which saves time.
Disadvantages
* The software itself can be expensive so initial costs are high. There are free software packages though. * Staff need to be trained how to use the software, which also adds to costs. * Requires a PC.
A few advantages of 2D CAD:
Reduced design timescales.
Reuse of designs.
Drawing errors can be corrected easily.
Drawings can be sent/received via email in seconds.
Disadvantages:
Time & cost of implementing the CAD system
Time & cost of training people to use the CAD.
Time & cost of migrating legacy drawings into CAD format
If you compare the use of 3D CAD against drawing borard draughting. the list of disadvantages pretty much stays the same, whilst the list of advantages grows further.
Advantages of 3D CAD:
More stylish /complex products can be designed using 3D surfacing.
Parametric modelling allows many design itterations to be generated & evaluated quickly.
Designs can be analysed and optimised virtually using finite element analysis.
Clearance/inteference checks can be mase easily
3D CAD data can be imported directly in to CAM software, futher reducing timescales and mistakes from interpretation of 2D drawings.
Advantage: Software Flexibility * Using CAD software enables design changes to be made rapidly. Before CAD, a particular design change would have required a draftsperson to completely redraw the design to the new specification. CAD software allows designers to tinker with designs and make small changes on the fly. It can also be used to simulate the behavior of the design in software. For example, CAD software can be used to simulate the airflow around an engine. This allows for greater