CAD (Computer Aided Design) is the use of a range of computer-based tools that help engineers and designers in design activities. CAD is sometimes translated as computer assisted, or computer aided drafting. All these terms are synonymous for CAD. CAD is used to develop and design products, machines, and tools. Modern capabilities of CAD systems include modeling, design, data exchange, packaging and more.

Today, most CAD computer workstations are Windows based. CAD is essentially an automated system for the design, drafting, and display of graphically oriented information, to create drawings for modeling. CAD is also used in the electronic field for design automation, and in the manufacturing process for layouts.

There are many CAD software applications. These replicate the old drafting board as a means to draw and create designs. As CAD applications run on computers they provide a great deal more functionality than a drafting board, and a great deal more complexity. The lines and text created in CAD are vectors. This means their shapes and positions are described in mathematical terms. These vectors are stored on computer systems in CAD files.

There are a great many different file formats for CAD. Most CAD applications produce their own proprietary file format. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult if a potential supplier's CAD system can't read the incompatible file produced on the customer's different system.

Engineering Solutions Provided by 3-D Modeling Save Cost

A capable CAD job shop will utilize their extensive experience in 3-D modeling to design a custom solution for your tooling or finished product need. Their design software allows 3-D prototypes to be modeled for your review prior to starting production, giving you a precision part quickly and on budget. Look for a job shop that can import or export in all major file formats, as well as supply file conversion services from blueprint to CAD, or from 3-D to 2-D.

Quality CAD design service suppliers will ask questions early in the process to determine the most efficient way to develop a design. Their professional experience means that there's a good chance they may have seen a similar design project in the past, and can start with an archived file to reduce costs and to accelerate the design process.

Other things to look for when you need fast, quality design assistance:

• A long history of innovation and production expertise
• Maintaining the highest quality control standards to reduce customers' production down time and create a "hassle-free" experience.
• Reduce the lead time for custom engineering projects by maintaining a highly trained in-house engineering staff.
• A reputation of excellence, where they take the extra step to keep the customers' needs first.
• Same-day response to critical questions or requests.
• Handle all major file formats, and convert 3-D to 2-D or Blueprint to CAD.