Learners will develop the knowledge and skills needed to use computer aided drawing (CAD) software to produce a variety of CAD drawings, from single-part 2D components to complex 3D models. They will also investigate the use of CAD and the hardware and software required.
Understand how CAD software is used for 2D and 3D drawings.
Advantages of CAD: quality, accuracy, time, cost, electronic transfer of information, links with other software e.g. CAD/CAM, rendering software, animation software, finite element analysis (FEA) Other methods: manual drafting, model making.
Software: operating systems, CAD software packages e.g. AutoCAD, AutoCAD/Inventor, Microstation, Catia, Pro/ENGINEER, Solidworks, minimum system requirements e.g. hard disk space, memory required, processor, video card.
Hardware: keyboard, mouse, other input devices e.g. light pen, digitiser, joystick, thumbwheel, monitor, printer, other output devices e.g. plotter, rapid prototyping, storage e.g. floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick, CD, network.
CAD drawings: orthographic projections, circuit diagrams e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, exploded/ assembly drawing, standards e.g. BS8888, BS3939, BS2917.
Commands: absolute/relative/polar coordinates, features e.g. line types, grids, snaps, circle, text, hatching, dimensioning, layers/levels, colour, viewing e.g. zoom, pan, inserting other drawings e.g. symbols, blocks, modifying e.g. copy, rotate, move, erase, scale, chamfer, fillet.
Compare the advantages of CAD to other drawing methods.
Describe the hardware and software required to produce CAD drawings.
Explain the commands and functions used to produce CAD drawings.
Explain how 2D and 3D CAD models can be used in the design process.
Be able to produce and interpret 2D CAD drawings.
AC 2.1
2D CAD drawings must include five components that make up an assembly or sub-assembly.
AC 2.2
The circuit diagram must contain at least five components.
AC 2.3
The assembly drawing and exploded view of an assembly or sub-assembly must contain at least five parts.
AC 2.4
Interpret: determine properties of drawn objects e.g. list, distance, area, volume.
Produce 2D CAD drawings.
Produce a circuit diagram.
Produce an assembly drawing, and an exploded view of an assembly or sub-assembly.
Interpret the properties of a component and circuit from a given CAD drawing.
Be able to use CAD software to produce 3D drawings and views.
3D environment: 3D views e.g. top, front, side, isometric.
3D models: 3D techniques e.g. addition and subtraction of material, extrude, revolve, sweep, 3D coordinate entry (x, y, z), wire frame drawing, 2D to 3D (thickness, extrusion), surface models, solid models.
Use a 3D environment to produce a 3D CAD drawing as a surface and solid model.