Computer Aided Design (CAD)

What is CAD? CAD is the use of a computer to design the appearance or layout of something eg a house, a road, a car, a kitchen …….

Advantages of CAD Designs can be very detailed and accurate Distances and angles can be automatically measured (Dimensioning) Changes can be made without having to start from scratch

Advantages of CAD 3D images can be made and tested on screen without having to build a prototype. This saves time, effort and money.

What is required for CAD? High specification computer CAD software Graphics tablet for input Plotter for output

Who uses CAD Architects Engineers Car designers Town planners Kitchen Planners The list is endless ………………….

CAD / CAM Many industrial systems link the computer aided design system to their computer aided manufacturing process so that the complete process from design to manufacture can be automated. This is known as CAD / CAM.

Computer Simulation

What is a Computer Simulation? A computer simulation is a system which has been created to behave as if it is real life. Simulations are often used to test conditions that could be dangerous, expensive or life threatening if the “real thing” was used.

Examples …….. Training airline pilots Training surgeons Driving lessons Games – Pro Evolution, Tiger Woods 2004, SSX3, Sim City, The Sims, The Simpsons Hit & Run

Training airline pilots Flight simulators allow trainee pilots to experience conditions such as thunderstorms, fog, engine failure – without taking a plane off the ground

Training Surgeons Medical students can now be trained using a “cyberpatient”. Surgical skills can be practiced without placing real patients in danger. A computer controls and monitors temperature, heart rate, blood pressure etc, while the student “operates” on the “dummy”.

Driving Lessons The British School of Motoring have a driving simulator which allows learner drivers to get the “feel” of a car and learn the controls without having to take a real car out.

Some simulators are for fun!!! Playing football, golf, snowboarding, stealing cars and shooting people! Skiing down a mountain The “Star Tours” ride in Walt Disney World ( The actual ride uses flight simulator technology, combined with action film footage as you ride a 40 passenger StarSpeeder to the Moon of Endor. Your "pilot-in-training", RX-24 takes you on a wild 10 minute ride where you encounter one mishap after another).