Computer aided design (CAD) became accessible to design and manufacturing companies in the 1960’s creating a paradigm shift from how design had been done in large rooms filled with drafting boards and drafters.
CAD technologies have steadily improved since then. Now with a push from industry 4.0, CAD is being used in innovative new ways including additive manufacturing, generative design, digital twinning, Internet-of-Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML). Firms look to use these emerging technologies for competitive advantage with increased productivity, efficiency, and agility.
The line between design and manufacturing are increasingly blurring. Take for instance that data streams from connected devices could be used to drive IOT-enabled CAD models. As CAD continues to evolve from a primarily design-centric use to now increasingly involve manufacturing and support activities, the global CAD market is expected to double between now and 2030 from approximately $9B to $18B.
Design iteration using physical models of components and machines is not sustainable given the market demand now for cost effective solutions with decreased time to market. Key benefits of CAD:
- Digital prototyping – using certain design and material constraints, engineers can simulate and assess different design approaches without physical prototypes
- Accelerated time to market
- Enhanced Quality Control
Next-Gen CAD trends:
More Seamless Design and Manufacturing – single CAD/CAM standard where changes to product in CAD propagate automatically to manufacturing simulation.
More Customized User Experience – AI and ML driven enhancements to automate repetitive tasks or offer suggestions based on past design work
Streamlined Communication and Collaboration – cloud based platforms will be key
The trend is for CAD to become more accessible and widely used across organizations and functions.
