Archive for the ‘CAD Jobs’ Category

U.S. CAD™ Chosen by David Evans and Associates as Official Autodesk® Reseller and Civil 3D Implementation Consultant

Major engineering firm taps U.S. CAD to speed transition to new civil engineering software standard.

Costa Mesa, CA (PRWEB) January 22, 2008 — U.S. CAD, Inc. (formerly L.A. CAD), the Western U.S.’s largest provider of computer-aided design (CAD) consulting, training and support services, and its largest Autodesk® solutions reseller, today announced it has been chosen by engineering firm David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA) as its official Autodesk reseller and Civil 3D implementation consultant. The multi-year contract puts DEA at the forefront of engineering firms transitioning to the new industry standard in civil engineering software, with U.S. CAD advancing the effort.

"We are very excited about our agreement with DEA, which enables us provide them the latest Autodesk solutions, as well as our advanced training and support services — all aimed at helping DEA and its customers be even more successful," said U.S. CAD CEO Danny Counts. "This agreement exemplifies our U.S. CAD strategy to expand our technical capabilities and reach, while maintaining our core focus on delivering superior technical solutions and customer service."

"Over the past two years, DEA has been embracing and leveraging the new Autodesk Civil 3D technology through a large scale, phased approach," said J.C. Davis, DEA corporate information systems and Civil 3D project manager. "U.S. CAD has the resources and expertise to handle the ongoing administration and management of this project, as well as the ability to meet our other ongoing Autodesk product, training and support needs. It’s a good match."

With offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New York, Oregon and Washington, DEA is ahead of most other large engineering firms in implementing the new Civil 3D standard, which for many large-scale applications is the next-generation to Autodesk’s workhorse Land Desktop software. "Civil 3D is far more than a new civil engineering software application; it’s a fundamental advance in the field — a new way of completing projects faster, more efficiently and with greater design consistency than previously possible," said Davis. He added that DEA’s time savings on production plan development thus far using Civil 3D has approached 30 percent, with greater savings anticipated with through product familiarity and U.S. CAD’s support.

"With its ability to dynamically connect design and documentation, enabling design development to occur simultaneously with data collection, Civil 3D requires an organizational commitment to workflow change that many firms aren’t yet able to approach," said Melanie Santer, U.S. CAD applications engineer, who specializes in Civil 3D training, installation, support and implementation. "This is where DEA’s forward-thinking and U.S. CAD’s Autodesk and Civil 3D expertise make the perfect pairing. The end result will be time and cost savings for DEA and its customers."

About David Evans and Associates

Since its founding in 1976 in Portland, Ore., DEA has become a recognized leader for progressive and sustainable design and management solutions for complex transportation, land development, energy, and water resources projects nationwide. DEA’s multi-disciplinary teams partner with clients to tailor solutions to meet the unique needs of each project. The firm has over 20 offices in seven states and employs more than 1,000 people firmwide. Its staff includes professional engineers, surveyors, planners, landscape architects, and natural resources scientists. DEA is an employee-owned corporation and consistently ranks among ENR’s Top 100 Pure Design firms in the U.S. DEA and its staff are committed to improving the quality of life, while demonstrating stewardship of the built and natural environments. For more information, visit www.deainc.com/default.aspx.

About U.S. CAD

Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., U.S. CAD, Inc. is a major provider of computer-aided design (CAD) consulting, training and support services, and Autodesk software solutions. Specializing in the civil, mechanical and architectural design, building-engineering and geospatial industries, the company provides technical expertise and customized training to deliver superior customer solutions. Customers value U.S. CAD’s quality instruction from Autodesk Approved Instructors, and its flexible training options, including modular mobile training labs. With Autodesk Authorized Training Centers at its Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, San Diego and Honolulu, Hawaii locations, U.S. CAD has become the Autodesk provider of choice for many of the West’s leading CAD-related companies. For more information, visit www.uscad.com.

U.S. CAD and L.A. CAD are trademarks of U.S. CAD, Inc.

Two Days Training on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
5-6 December 2007: BangaloreCII Institute of Quality (CII-IQ) is announces it’s training module on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD T) to be held 5-6 December 2007 at Bangalore.Course Objectives: To learn the standard method of interpreting the Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing given in the drawing. To learn how inspection…

Integrate manufacturing with ecological sensitivity : Prof Prahalad
Mumbai: Breaking the price performance envelope by integrating manufacturing with ecological sensitivity and strength of IT will create huge opportunities in India, advocated Prof C K Prahalad, World’s top most Thinker and Paul Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor, The University of Michigan, at the CII 6th Manufacturing…

KOMPAS-3D V9 LT for Mechanical CAD is available online for FREE
ASCON released the Light, Demo and Viewer of the newest KOMPAS-3D V9 versionSt.Petersburg, Russia – ASCON Group, developer and vendor of CAD/CAPP/PDM Solutions, is glad to present its flagship considerably improved product for Mechanical Computer-Aided Design KOMPAS-3D V9 in Demo, Light and Viewer mode.

ARAI Forging Industry Division launched its official web site
Pune: ARAI-FID formally launched its official web site www.firiindia.com in order to widen its reach amongst the worldwide forging industry, research agencies, associates, vendors and job seekers. The web site provides the information on the infrastructure available, various kinds of testing to be undertaken, research activities and training being offered…

Continued influx of orders for German machine tools
Frankfurt am Main: The rise in demand for German machine tools continues apace. In the third quarter of 2007 orders increased by 31 per cent over against the same period last year. The major contribution towards this dynamic business trend came from domestic customers. The orders they placed rose by…

If you work in a specialized design domain, such as aluminum composite panel assembly, HVAC duct installation, log cabin architecture or turbocharger manufacture, your CAD drafting service provider will need specialized knowledge for performing your drafting.

For instance, the drawings might have to be compatible with a CNC machine tool. This would imply a definite relationship between types of objects in the drawing and the layers in the drawing. This in turn would require the CAD drafting service provider to understand which objects to put on which layer.

Understanding which objects to put on which layer frequently calls for the draftsperson to profoundly understand your manufacturing or construction process.

The trouble is, there are very few CAD drafting service providers with ready knowledge of specialized domains. This means your choice of providers will be limited, and there is a good chance you will not be enthused by any of the firms that present themselves.

So what?s a CAD outsourcer like you to do?

Grow your own! (provider, that is?)

You?re right if you think this takes a lot of time, energy and patience. You?re wrong if you feel it will not be worth it.

Look at the advantages: we are talking about subject areas where there aren?t many good CAD drafting service providers. You take the trouble to develop one. So finally you have a good one and nobody else does.

This gives you a tremendous competitive benefit in terms of cost. While others have to use in-house, specialized draftspeople costing maybe $27 per hour, you?re cruising along at $11 per hour. Is that a killer advantage or what?!

The other big plus of growing your own provider is the loyalty that develops. Service provider loyalty is like protein to an outsourcing relationship. You need it vitally, you can?t buy it out and you have to produce it within the relationship. If you have it, you can go more miles than your nearest rival.

Which CAD service provider do you start off with? Find one your friends are using, or go online and select one with due diligence (more about that in a forthcoming article).

The motto of this story is that if you cannot find a CAD drafting service provider with the skills you need, find one that has an otherwise strong skill set. Take the time to teach them the skills, knowing all along that it is you, the outsourcer, who will reap enormous benefits as a result of the process.

To your CAD outsourcing health!

CAD (Computer-aided design)
Geometry authoring tool that involves software and sometimes special-purpose hardware. Current packages range from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modellers.

CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing)
Considered as an NC programming tool wherein 3D models of components generated in CAD software are used to generate CNC code to drive numerical controlled machine tools

CNC (computer numerical control)
Refers specifically to a computer "controller" that reads G-code instructions and drives the machine tool.

CAD/CAM part programming
The computer calculation and creation of a toolpath based on part geometry information created in CAD.

Canned cycle
A predetermined machining sequence used to simplify programming.

Data
Information processed as the basis for calculations.

Database
Computer storage that holds data and is searchable

Detail Drawing
A drawing of a part giving a complete and exact description of its form, dimensions, and construction

Dimension
The desired measurement of a part

Documentation
A CAD process in which a part design is converted to a computer file or hard copy for reference and storage purposes.

Drawing Exchange Format
DXF. A standard storage format for personal computer-based CAD/CAM platforms

Driver
That portion of the electronic package that receives the stepping sequence from the translator and provides the switching of the windings in the stepper motor.

G-Code
Common name for the programming language that controls NC and CNC machine tools

Geometric Modeling
A modeling process in which a designer creates lines and text that represents the shape of a desired part. Geometric modeling is the first step in CAD.

Geometry
The measurement, properties, and relationships of the lines and points of an object that make up its shape

M Code
A code used to signal an action from a miscellaneous group of commands. M codes change cutting tools, turn on or turn off the coolant, spindle, or work piece clamps, etc.

Machine Control Data
Manufacturing instructions defined in CAM and enacted on a CNC machine.

Machine Control Unit
A small, powerful computer that controls and operates a CNC machine

Machine Tool
Powered mechanical device, typically used to fabricate metal components of machines by machining

Machining
The selective removal of metal or material

Numerical Control
The use of computers and special program instructions to execute the sequence of machining operations to make a part.

Part Program
A series of numerical instructions used by a CNC machine to perform the necessary sequence of operations to machine a specific work piece.

Personal Computer
PC. A computer designed for an individual user and commercial software. Desktops, laptops, and notebook computers are PCs.

Plotter
A large printer used to print blueprints. These output devices support vector graphics, unlike dot matrix and laser printers.

Post Processor
A software link in the CAD/CAM chain that communicates instructions from CAM to a CNC machine

Preliminary Blueprint
A design representing the rough dimensions of a specific part

Primitives or Primitive
Basic shapes such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, blocks, and cones that are combined in solid modeling to create a model of a part.

Prototype
The original test model of a part

Raster Image
A form of graphics in which closely spaced rows of dots form an image on a computer screen. Also known as bit-mapped graphics.

Ramping
The process of controlling the pulse frequency to accelerate or decelerate a stepper motor. Ramping increases the ability to drive larger loads at greater speeds by slowing the first series of pulses allowing the motor to overcome inertial loads and reduces overshooting by slowing the motor down more gradually than an unramped motor.

Scanner
A computer device that converts hard copy drawings into digital form

Software
The coded instructions, formulas, and operations that structure the actions of a computer

Solid Modeling
A type of geometric modeling based on solids in which all visible surfaces of a part are shown. In addition, solid modeling describes interior volume, mass, and weight.

Sub-Program
Acting as a part programming shortcut, a part program sequence that is called on as needed. Also called a subroutine.

Surface Modeling
A type of geometric modeling based on geometry only, in which all visible surfaces of a part are shown regardless of volume definition.

Step Angle
The angular increment the motor shaft will turn each time the windings (coils) are energized. The angle is specified in degrees. For a 200 step per revolution motor the step angle will be 1.8 degrees.

Step per revolution
The total number of steps to rotate the motor shaft 360 degrees. For CNC, 200 or 400 steps per revolution are usually used.

Stepper motor
A device that translates electrical pulses into precise mechanical movement. The output shaft may deliver rotary or linear motion.

Title Block
A portion of a blueprint that contains information such as the company name, part name, part number, designer, scale, and material.

Tolerance
A blueprint specification indicating an unwanted but acceptable deviation from a given dimension

Toolpath
The series of coordinate positions that determine the movement of a tool during a machining operation.

Translator
An electronic device that converts pulses into the correct switching sequence, which will operate the motor one step for each pulse received.

Unipolar
A bifilar wound motor. The current flows only in one direction through each winding. Normally there are two winding per bobbin and eight bobbins per motor. Usually is a 5, 6 or eight wire motor. One or more common leads are used per winding. Has less torque than a bipolar stepper motor but is simpler to drive. Bipolar stepper motor- just two windings. The electronic controls reverse the current alternately between the coils. This motor has more torque but requires more electronic controls.

Vector Graphics
A form of graphics that uses geometric formulas to represent images. Vector graphic images are more easily manipulated than raster graphics when dealing with CNC.

Wire Frame Modeling
A type of geometric modeling in which the edges of a part are represented by solid lines

Working Drawing
A drawing of a part providing data for manufacturing

X-Axis
An axis that is left or right. All movement left of a zero point is minus (-X), all movement right of the zero point is plus (+X).

Y-axis
An axis that is at right angles to the X-axis and intersect the zero point of the X-axis. All movement further away from the zero point is plus (+Y). All movement closer than the zero point is minus (-Y).

Z-axis
An axis that is vertically perpendicular to the X-Y zero point. All movement above the zero point is positive (+Z) while all movement below the zero point is (-Z).

When designing something complex in CAD you will find there is a bit of a process.  First you design parts.  Then you build the parts into Sub-Assemblies.  Next you build sub-assemblies into Groups.  Then you build the groups into the machine.  It is a logical pyramid process.  You can also think of it like a file structure inside of a computer.

Designing Parts
Parts are your building blocks.  Without this level, nothing could be produced.  The part level breaks the entire “thing” down to its simplest form.  You also manufacture at the part level.  You make parts, and then assemble them into other things.  Parts are generally made out of raw materials.
Think of a differential on the rear axel of a car.  The differential is made up of gears and a housing.  Each of these are parts of the differential and the differential is the assembly of these parts.

Designing Sub Assemblies
Sub Assemblies are the next level up and I am guessing you are getting the idea.  You first design parts, then put them together into sub assemblies.  In the car example above the differential is a sub assembly in the axel “Group” of the car.  Sub Assemblies are put together to form groups.

Designing Groups
Moving up the design chain, groups are usually things you can identify with.  It could be a door, engine, transmission, or cooling package on a car.  Above we used the example of an Axle as a Group.  Groups are put together into machines.  Our example is a car, which is at the machine level.

Designing the Machine
Finally, the top level of all your designing, the machine.  The machine could be built for the end user or be sold to another manufacturer.  That manufacturer could use your “machine” as a sub assembly or group.  You can see all this is just a matter of viewpoint.  You can consider just about anything a sub assembly, group or final machine.  It is all just semantics and what you are using the item for.

CAD Software Price Points
I consider there to be a few different price points in the CAD Software Market.  These can be categorized as hobby or professional price points.  This is usually a good break as well in the features a program offers.  Here is a quick run down.

Hobby CAD Software
Could possibly be free
$0-$500 price point
Could be 2D, 2.5D or 3D capable, usually 2D or 2.5D
Stand alone licenses
Meant for ease of user interface
Probably missing some advanced tools

Professional CAD Software
$500-$10,000 price point
2D, 2.5D and 3D capable
Network version that let multiple designers interact
Different modules or plug-ins like FMEA
Full featured, most every type of tool is available

Examples of Commercial CAD Software Programs
AutoCAD
Turbo CAD
IntelliCAD
Pro/Engineer
CAD Pro
Alibris
Solidworks
QuickCAD
Rhino3D

CAD stands for Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting.  CAD was developed in the early 60s.  Today it is the premier way to design, develop and optimized products.  People use CAD every day to design virtually every product you see.  Generally, designers use CAD to design a product, and then produce prints to manufacture that product.  A print is a picture of a part or assembly that is very exact.  It includes the dimensions and a parts list used to manufacture a product.

CAD is the use of computer based software packages that assist engineers, architects and other design professionals in their designs. CAD is the part of the main designing process and involves both software and sometimes hardware. Current software packages range from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modelers.

Computer Aided Drafting software packages can generally be broken into two groups.  The groups are 2-D drafting packages or 3-D drafting packages.  Most all software packages are moving to 3-D design.  3-D design is really the next generation of CAD.  Utilizing 3-D design, engineers can make a model of their product.  They can then look over this model for any apparent defects before it is ever made.

CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products.  CAD is mainly used for the engineering of models and/or drawings of components.  It is also used throughout the engineering process from concept to design of products.  These products can be used by end consumers or used in other products.  For example, you can design a bolt in CAD, and then use it in a Sub-Assembly in a planetary, which is a part of an earth-moving machine.  CAD is also used in the design of tools and machinery.  Finally, it is used in the design of all types of buildings from sheds to shopping malls.

Print Reading and Drafting
When I went through college I learned how to read prints and draft.  We had a bag of physical tools that we purchased and hauled around campus.  T-Squares, French Curves, compasses, pencils and erasers filled this bag.  Then you had a pad of drafting paper and a drafting desk.  You would pin or tape the paper down and begin drawing or drafting.
Drafting paper has a grid to help keep you aligned as you began you design.  In CAD, there is a grid you snap to, or guides to keep you straight.  We had hard plastic templates to draw curves.  CAD has numerous tools to draw curves and lines.  We had calculators to figure out distances and ratios.  CAD does this automatically.
Overall, you can view CAD as replacing Drafting.  CAD moved the same type of process into a more flexible and efficient environment.  CAD has also helped out with networking of designs.  Different designers and engineers can work on the same assembly in different parts at the same time.  This team effort really moves the overall process along much faster.
However, as far as print reading goes, that is about the same as it was before.  Drafting outputs prints and CAD outputs prints.  A human still needs to be able to read them and make sense of them.  A plus with CAD is that it is much more standardized and clear.  Many times before, prints were unique to their maker.  Similar to handwriting, you could not always figure out what the engineer wanted to convey to you.  CAD cleans all that up.

How do I translate my design into the computer?
This is how I view CAD.  You learn a CAD software interface and begin the translation of your idea into the computer.  This usually takes some time and thinking.  Many times your idea and design will be revised as you discover things you have missed.  While you are translating, your idea begins to take shape.  Now you can share it with others.

Different Design Views
In Drafting and CAD there are different views.  These are viewpoints of your part or project from different sides.  We need these different viewpoints to be able to describe our project accurately.  Think of it like seeing an elephant from the front.  You have no idea what the side or rear end of an elephant looks like.  To be able to accurately convey the elephant to another person you need multiple views.

The main print or design views are:
Front View
Top View
Right Side View
Isometric View

NEW KUBOTEK SOFTWARE VALIDATES AND COMPARES 3D CAD MODELS
Marlborough, MA – Kubotek USA today introduced Kubotek Validation ToolTM which assures manufactures that two revisions of the same CAD model, which visually appear the same, truly are geometrically identical. This product performs a critical test for manufacturers who rely on the 3D model as the product specification. Adding this…

HUSCO Inaugurates Its R&D And Manufacturing Centre In India
New Delhi: HUSCO International, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hydraulic and electrohydraulic controls for construction, industrial, automotive and agricultural equipment, announced the commencement of operations at their R D and manufacturing facility in India located in the Talegaon Industrial Park near Pune; the first phase of their substantial…

Call for entries in CoCreate’s worldwide annual design competition
FORT COLLINS, Colo., and SINDELFINGEN, Germany — CoCreate Software, Inc., a leading provider of 3rd generation PLM software applications for high-tech electronics and machinery, today announced its 2008 Design Competition.The theme of this year’s competition is Excellence in Design.

American Axle & Manufacturing forms JV with Sona Koyo
Mumbai:American Axle Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, announced that it has formed a joint venture with Sona Koyo Steering Systems Limited (Sona Koyo) of India.The new company, AAM Sona Axle Private Limited (AAM Sona Axle), will manufacture and sell light truck,…

Shibue Seimitsu has appointed Suwa Precision Engineering in Singapore as its international sales representative and seeks sales reps for USA and Europe.

Suwa, Nagano, Japan 8/Jan/2006 – To extend its marketing into international markets, Shibue Seimitsu Co., Ltd., a specialist in escomatic machining for over 50 years, has appointed Suwa Precision Engineering in Singapore as its sales representative for the overseas markets outside Japan and China.

Established in 1951, Shibue Seimitsu has specialized in escomatic machining of miniature (diameter 0.3 to 6mm) precision complex profile parts with tolerance of +-20 microns parts and burr-free finishes for the electronics and watch industries.

In escomatic machining, as the coil stock is fed through the machine, it is straightened, and then moved into bushings that are the same size as the stock. The bushings support allows the escomatic machine to hold a very tight concentricity for the length of the part. The continuously fed self-straightening coil stock reduces the turning needed to achieve the desired diameter, and also leads to less wasted material, less down-time for reloading and therefore lower cost.

"Escomatic machining has excellent repeatability throughout mass production. Our ISO9001 certified factory operates 24/7 to meet your production requirements with minimal workers. We focus on complex profile escomatic machining of part such as hinge components for cell phones and micro motor shafts, " says Toshiaki Shibue, President of Shibue Seimitsu.

Says Ken Yap, Director of Suwa Precision Engineering "We hope to help Shibue Seimitsu reach out to new customers and even appoint other sales representatives in the States and Europe."

About Shibue Seimitsu Co., Ltd. Shibue Seimitsu is located in Suwa, Japan, home base of major corporations such as Seiko Epson and Nidec Sankyo. The company specialize in escomatic machining of connector pins, micro shaft, micro motor shaft, insert pin for insert molding, and rotary hinge components for mobile phones, printer head parts, terminal pins for automotive connector components, watch parts.

About Suwa Precision Engineering Pte Ltd Suwa Precision Engineering Pte Ltd is the marketing office for a group of precision engineering manufacturers from Japan, China and Singapore. These manufacturers have more than 40 years each in manufacturing precision products and components such as stamping dies, precision metal stamping (deep draw and high speed), precision turned components and miniature balls from diameter 0.1mm, precision gears and pcb in small footprint (1mm by 2.5mm).

About the Author

Author Ken Yap holds directorships in Suwa Precision Engineering Pte Ltd in Singapore which represents precision machining, metal stamping, miniature balls and gears and PCB manufacturers from Suwa, Japan, and Attisse Pte Ltd, a business and market research consultancy firm for Japanese investors.