CAD stands for Computer Aided Design (CAD-Computer Aided Design)

Use computers and graphics equipment to help designers carry out design work. Abbreviated as cad. In engineering and product design, computers can help designers perform calculations, information storage, and drawing. In design, computers are usually used to perform a large number of calculations, analyzes and comparisons of different solutions to determine the optimal solution; various design information, whether numerical, textual or graphic, can be stored in the computer's memory or external It can be stored in the computer and can be retrieved quickly; designers usually start the design with a sketch, and the heavy work of turning the sketch into a working drawing can be left to the computer; the design results automatically generated by the computer can be quickly displayed graphically, allowing designers to Make timely judgments and modifications to designs; use computers to perform graphics data processing related to graphics editing, amplification, reduction, translation and rotation. CAD can relieve designers from repetitive tasks such as calculation and drawing, and focus on the design itself, shortening the design cycle and improving design quality.

[Edit this paragraph] Development overview

In the 1950s, the first computer drawing system was born in the United States, and passive computer-aided design technology with simple drawing output functions began to appear. In the early 1960s, CAD surface patch technology appeared, and in the mid-term, commercialized computer drawing equipment was launched. In the 1970s, a complete CAD system began to take shape. Later, raster scanning displays that could produce realistic graphics appeared, and various forms of graphic input devices such as manual cursors and graphics input pads were introduced, promoting the development of CAD technology. In the 1980s, with the emergence of powerful microprocessors and storage devices made of very large-scale integrated circuits, engineering workstations came out, and CAD technology gradually became popular in small and medium-sized enterprises. Since the mid-1980s, CAD technology has developed in the direction of standardization, integration, and intelligence. Some standard graphical interface software and graphics functions have been introduced one after another, which has played an important role in promoting the promotion of CAD technology, software transplantation and data sharing; the system structure has changed from a single function in the past to a comprehensive function, and computer-assisted functions have emerged. A computer integrated manufacturing system that integrates design and auxiliary manufacturing; the application of solidification technology, network technology, multi-processor and parallel processing technology in CAD has greatly improved the performance of the CAD system; the introduction of artificial intelligence and expert system technology into CAD, The emergence of intelligent CAD technology has greatly enhanced the problem-solving capabilities of the CAD system and made the design process more automated. Now, CAD has been widely used in various fields such as electronics and electrical, scientific research, mechanical design, software development, robotics, clothing industry, publishing industry, factory automation, civil construction, geology, computer art and other fields.

[Edit this paragraph] System composition

Usually based on an interactive computer system with graphics functions, the main equipment is: computer host, graphics display terminal, graphics tablet, plotter , scanners, printers, tape drives, and various types of software.

Engineering workstation generally refers to a single-user interactive computer system with super minicomputer functions and three-dimensional graphics processing capabilities. It has strong computing power, uses standard graphics software, has a high-resolution display terminal, and can work on a local area network with shared resources, and has become the most popular CAD system.

Personal computer (pc) systems are cheap, easy to operate, and flexible to use. After the 1980s, PC performance has been continuously renovated, hardware and software have developed rapidly, coupled with the application of graphics cards, high-resolution graphics displays, and the development of PC network technology, CAD systems composed of PCs have emerged in large numbers and are on the rise. trend.

Quadratic surface designed by computer - spherical surface

Graphical input and output devices In addition to the computer host and general peripherals, computer-aided design mainly uses graphic input and output devices. Interactive graphics systems are particularly important for CAD. The general function of a graphics input device is to send the coordinates of points on the plane into the computer. Common input devices include keyboards, light pens, touch screens, joysticks, trackballs, mice, graphics tablets, and digitizers. Graphics output devices are divided into two categories: soft copy and hard copy.

Soft copy devices refer to various graphic display devices, which are indispensable for human-computer interaction; hard copy devices are often used as accessory devices for graphic displays, which copy the images on the screen for storage. There are three commonly used graphic displays: directed beam display, storage tube display and raster scan display. Directed beam display was the earliest application. In order to make the image clear, the electron beam must constantly redraw the graphics, so it is also called refresh display. It is easy to erase and modify graphics, and is suitable for interactive graphics. The storage tube display saves the image without refreshing, so it can display a large amount of data and the price is low. Raster scanning systems can provide color images, the image information can be stored in the so-called frame buffer memory, and the image resolution is higher.

CAD software In addition to the computer's own software such as operating system and compiler, CAD mainly uses three types of software: interactive graphics display software, CAD application software and data management software.

Interactive graphic display software is used for window opening, editing, and viewing of graphic displays, graphic transformation and modification, and corresponding human-computer interaction. CAD application software provides geometric modeling, feature calculation, drawing and other functions to complete various specialized designs for various professional fields. The four elements that structure application software are: algorithms, data structures, user interface, and data management. Data management software is used to store, retrieve, and process large amounts of data, including text and graphical information. For this purpose, an engineering database system needs to be established. Compared with general database systems, it has the following characteristics: data types are more diverse, entity relationships are complex during the design process, values ??and data structures in the database often change, and the designer's operation is mainly a real-time interactive process.

Basic technologies mainly include interactive technology, graphics transformation technology, surface modeling and solid modeling technology, etc.

In computer-aided design, interactive technology is essential. Interactive CAD system means that when users use computer systems to design, people and machines can exchange information in a timely manner. Using an interactive system, people can conceive, proof, and modify at the same time, and can see the display results of each step of the operation on the graphic terminal screen at any time, which is very intuitive.

The main function of graphics transformation is to connect the user coordinate system and the coordinate system of the graphics output device; perform translation, rotation, scaling, and perspective transformation on graphics; and realize graphics transformation through matrix operations.

Computer design automation The computer's own CAD aims to realize automation or semi-automation of the computer's own design and development process. Research content includes functional design automation and assembly design automation, involving computer hardware description language, system-level simulation, automatic logic synthesis, logic simulation, microprogramming automation, automatic logic division, automatic layout and routing, and corresponding interactive graphics systems and engineering databases system. Integrated circuit CAD is sometimes included in the scope of computer design automation.

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[Edit this paragraph] What is computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided design refers to the use of computers and graphics equipment to help designers carry out design work. Abbreviated as CAD. In engineering and product design, computers can help designers perform calculations, information storage, and drawing. In design, computers are usually used to perform a large number of calculations, analyzes and comparisons of different solutions to determine the optimal solution; various design information, whether numerical, textual or graphic, can be stored in the computer's memory or external It can be stored in the computer and can be retrieved quickly; designers usually start the design with a sketch, and the heavy work of turning the sketch into a working drawing can be left to the computer; the design results automatically generated by the computer can be quickly displayed graphically, allowing designers to Make timely judgments and modifications to designs; use computers to perform graphics data processing related to graphics editing, amplification, reduction, translation and rotation. CAD can reduce the labor of designers, shorten the design cycle and improve design quality.

[Edit this paragraph] Overview of CAD development

In the 1950s, the first computer drawing system was born in the United States, and passive computer-aided design technology with simple drawing output functions began to appear. . In the early 1960s, CAD surface patch technology appeared, and in the mid-term, commercialized computer drawing equipment was launched.

In the 1970s, a complete CAD system began to take shape. Later, raster scanning displays that could produce realistic graphics appeared, and various forms of graphic input devices such as manual cursors and graphics input pads were introduced, promoting the development of CAD technology. In the 1980s, with the emergence of powerful microprocessors and storage devices made of very large-scale integrated circuits, engineering workstations came out, and CAD technology gradually became popular in small and medium-sized enterprises. Since the mid-1980s, CAD technology has developed in the direction of standardization, integration, and intelligence. Some standard graphical interface software and graphics functions have been launched one after another, which has played an important role in promoting the promotion of CAD technology, software transplantation and data sharing; the system structure has changed from a single function in the past to a comprehensive function, and computer-assisted functions have emerged. A computer integrated manufacturing system that integrates design and auxiliary manufacturing; the application of solidification technology, network technology, multi-processor and parallel processing technology in CAD has greatly improved the performance of the CAD system; the introduction of artificial intelligence and expert system technology into CAD, The emergence of intelligent CAD technology has greatly enhanced the problem-solving capabilities of the CAD system and made the design process more automated. Now, CAD has been widely used in various fields such as electronics and electrical, scientific research, mechanical design, software development, robotics, clothing industry, publishing industry, factory automation, civil construction, geology, computer art and other fields.

Unigraphics NX of UG EDS is a product engineering solution that provides digital modeling and verification means for users' product design and processing processes. Unigraphics NX provides proven solutions for users' virtual product design and process design needs. Unigraphics NX provides designers and engineers with a new model of product development. It not only controls geometry, but more importantly, the team will be able to develop products based on engineering needs. Unigraphics NX can effectively capture, utilize and fully share knowledge in the complete process of digital engineering, which has proven to bring strategic benefits to enterprises.

NX from UGS PLM enables enterprises to achieve the goal of transforming to full product lifecycle management through a new generation of digital product development systems. NX includes the enterprise's most widely used suite of integrated applications for the full range of product design, engineering and manufacturing development processes.

The challenge facing manufacturing today is to balance the requirements for continued cost reductions with incremental increases in revenue and profits through technological innovation in product development. To truly support innovation, more design alternatives must be reviewed and critical decisions must be made earlier in the development process based on knowledge gained from past experience.

NX is UGS PLM’s next-generation digital product development system, which can drive product innovation through process changes. What makes NX unique is its knowledge management foundation, which enables engineering professionals to drive innovation to create greater profits. NX manages production and system performance knowledge to validate every design decision against known criteria.

NX is built on a proven track record of providing customers with unparalleled solutions that comprehensively improve the efficiency of the design process, cut costs, and reduce time to market. By once again focusing on technology innovation across the entire product life cycle, NX's success is well-documented. These goals enable NX to integrate the early stages of product manufacturing, from concept to production, into a framework that enables digital management and collaboration through an unrivaled range of product inspection applications and process automation tools.

Industrial Design and Styling:

NX provides powerful solutions for industrial design and styling that foster creativity and product technological innovation. Using NX modeling, industrial designers can quickly create and refine complex product shapes and use advanced rendering and visualization tools to maximize the aesthetic requirements of design concepts.

Product Design:

NX includes the world's most powerful and broad range of product design application modules. Featuring high-performance mechanical design and drafting capabilities, NX provides manufacturing design with the performance and flexibility to meet the needs of customers designing products of any complexity.

NX goes beyond general purpose design tools with a professional piping and wiring design system, sheet metal modules, specialized plastic part design modules and other specialized applications required for industry design.

Simulation, validation and optimization:

NX allows manufacturers to digitally simulate, validate and optimize products and their development processes. By leveraging digital simulation capabilities earlier in the development cycle, manufacturers can improve product quality while reducing or eliminating the costly and time-consuming design, build, and change cycles of physical prototypes.

Tooling:

NX tooling applications extend design productivity and efficiency into manufacturing, with solutions that are dynamically linked with product models to ensure accuracy and timely development of production tooling, workholding jigs and fixtures , and complex molds and dies.

Machining:

NX provides process-oriented machining solutions that streamline machining while optimizing speed and efficiency. With a "do anything" range of capabilities, NX machining solutions include advanced numerical control programming, toolpath and machine simulation, postporcessing, shop documentation, and process planning.

Orderly development environment:

NX product development solutions fully support manufacturing The tools vendors need to manage processes and share product information with the extended enterprise. NX integrates seamlessly with UGS PLM’s complete suite of other solutions. These are complementary to CAD, CAM and CAE collaboration, product data management, data conversion, digital physical models and visualization in a controlled environment.

UG’s major customers include General Motors, General Electric, Ford, Boeing McDonnell Douglas, Lockheed, Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney Engine, Nissan, Chrysler, and the U.S. military. Almost all aircraft engines and most automobile engines are designed using UG, which fully reflects UG's strong strength in high-end engineering fields, especially in the military industry. Keep pace with CATIA in the high-end field.

UG’s brother software:

1. Team Center, together with Dassault’s Smarteae, is known as the most powerful PLM software

2. Postbuilder, accurate It is said to be part of the UG software, a powerful CAM/CNC post-processor.

3. Nestran, which has the same root and group as NASA's Nestran, is a powerful CAE software in the military and aerospace industries. It is mainly used for solving linear problems.

4. I-DEAS, high-end software used by the military, used by Ford and Nissan, commonly used in the CAE field

5. SolidEdge, mid-range design software, commonly used in addition to Solidworks The software's strength is sheet metal

6. Imagewre, reverse modeling and automotive A-side modeling software, is the market leader in this field.

UG’s secondary development tools are very powerful, so it is necessary to introduce them:

1. Open Grip provides the simplest interpretive language, similar to AutoCAD’s Lisp. It can complete most of the curve and solid CAD operation functions. The generated files can be called by the menu .men file secondary developed by UI Styler, or by Open API (C language) or Open C++.

2. Open API, also called Open C, is a C language function library of UG. Functions with similar functions are placed in the same .h header file. They only need to be #included by the .c file. Use and compile to generate a dll. This dll file can be directly called in 3 ways:

1) Called through .men, which needs to be written in the .men file

2) Through Called by the button response function in the dialog box .dlg developed by UI Styler

3) Called through the Open Grip function.

Open C is the most powerful secondary development tool, which can realize sketches, three-dimensional solid surfaces, product assembly, automotive modules, mold modules, knowledge engineering (Knowledge fusion), CAM processing, and finite element FEM. , database operations and other secondary development of all UG functions.

3. Open C++ is similar to Open C, except that the function library is in the form of a C++ class library, which can be written and called using C process-oriented or C++ object-oriented methods. But the functionality is limited to CAD only.

4. UI Styler, used for secondary development extension menu commands and dialog boxes, interfaces, the generated .men, .dlg can call the executable code written in the above secondary development language.

5. Tooling Language, a set of tool descriptive language provided by UG itself, is mostly used in Genius equipment tool management and Postbuilder

CAM post-processor, generally There is no need to make any modifications. Take Postbuilder as an example. In this cross-platform tool written in Java, the machine tool type, spindle, machine tool axes, feed rate, tool description, etc. have all been generated by this Java-generated tool. Language completion. Any visual modification in the Postbuilder window will automatically modify these tool languages. Experienced users or third parties can also modify these tools themselves.

6. What should be added here is that you can use VB, Java and other languages ??to operate the .set, .template, .dat, .dlg, .men files and databases in the UG installation directory. Achieve the same effect as the above-mentioned secondary development tools. This is also the power of UG secondary development tools.