1. ICT application in product design and manufacture
- To be able to understand how CAD is used in industry as an aid to designing. - To be able to understand how CAM is used in industry as an aid to designing.
ICT application in product design and manufacture
Computer-aided design (CAD)
This uses computers to aid in the design of products
It helps to speed up the process
It allows the design to be edited and changed quickly
It allows a design to be communicated to others quickly
Designs can be generated using software or devices like graphic tablets and e-pen
Rapid Prototyping (RPT)
This is technology which allows a CAD design to be quickly creating into a 3D from
There are a variety of different forms of RPT
The 3D form created will allow designer to have a better understanding of the design and its faults
Using RPT has reduced the ‘lead time’ for getting a concept from design to manufacture.

2. - To be able to understand how CAD is used in industry as an aid to designing. - To be able to understand how CAM is used in industry as an aid to designing.
Types of RPT
Layered object modelling (LOM)
This uses a plotter or cutter to cut a design out in layers from thin card, board or film
These layers are then assembled together to create the 3D form like a jigsaw
Laser cutter and CNC plotter are machines that create LOM prototypes
Fused deposition modelling (FDM)
This uses a heated nozzle extruder which melted a reel of plastic into molten and then builds up the design in layers as the plastic solidifies
Plastics which are commonly used for this are ABS and PLA
3D printers are machines which use this process and allow a design to be formed quickly
Stereo-lithographic modelling
This involves a bath of resin or powder which has a laser pass though it.
The laser will solidify the resin/powder in certain areas to change the 3D form. The excess resin/powder is then removed to leave the 3D form.
This allows for very complex design however the 3D forms are often very fragile and so a harder is added afterwards to make them more robust.

3. - To be able to understand how CAD is used in industry as an aid to designing. - To be able to understand how CAM is used in industry as an aid to designing.
Virtual reality (VR)
This allows designer to see and manipulate a design in an augmented or 3d environment
It can also be used to give a client a walk-through of how the product would look in use, in situ or on sale
VR is also used in manufacturing to make sure systems and layouts will function properly before they are put into action in a real factory situation
Computer-integrated manufacture (CIM)
This is when computers systems are used to link together the business, design and manufacture data of a product through the design and development process
This is used so that errors do not occur such as the use of materials which are not budgeted for; or the creation of a design which is impossible to manufacture
CIM allows all groups involved to communicate and be aware of the design and its progress. This is known as ‘concurrent manufacturing’

4. - To be able to understand how CAD is used in industry as an aid to designing. - To be able to understand how CAM is used in industry as an aid to designing.
Computer-aided engineering (CAE)
This uses computers to test components and materials before they are manufactured
For example a car manufacturer will use computer models to test and simulate a vehicles engine and how it reacts to different forces all before it is made
This modelling uses very complex mathematical programming and it often referred to as finite element analysis (FEA)
CAD Questions

5. - To be able to understand how CAD is used in industry as an aid to designing. - To be able to understand how CAM is used in industry as an aid to designing.
Explain in detail how 3-D CAD software has been used to improve each of the following areas of Product Design:
concept development
communication within the design team
pre-production testing
prototype production
[4 × 7 marks]
TASK
Identify the key parts of the question
Write a plan for the answer (no longer than 5mins)
Write an answer (25mins)

6. - To be able to understand how CAD is used in industry as an aid to designing. - To be able to understand how CAM is used in industry as an aid to designing.
Example answer - concept development
The use of CAD has become a vital part of the design process and has lead to a decrease in ‘lead-time’ getting a product from concept to final design much quicker. In the concept development stage of the process 3D modelling software has made it quicker and easier for a designer to create and alter concept design. The software allows the quick generation of basic designs, much quicker than with pen or pencil. The designs can also be rotated in all angles which will give the designer a better idea of the different views of the design; this is something that is not possible on paper without a new drawing being created. In addition to this the software will also allow wireframe views and sectional views which will give the designer an idea of the internals of the design and will allow it to be quickly edited and modified. These designs also have the potential of needing standard components such as screws, bolts, etc. These can be preloaded onto the software's library so the designer can easily access and use them on their concept design. This library can also have different material textures and rendering which can be easily added to the designs to give them a more realistic look.