CAD drawings and 3D models generally comprise geometric elements like lines, arcs, points, circles, and splines and/or topological elements like faces, edges, and vertices. However, 3D models are fundamentally built upon 2D sketches. It is during this foundational stage that designers…
If you’re considering learning design but are wondering how to go about it without blowing your budget, you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of free CAD resources. With free tutorials, courses, guides, and software available, starting your…
One common practice among manufacturers is using bills of materials (BOMs) to guide the manufacturing process. Even before the advent of CAD, manufacturers – or, more accurately, their designers and engineers – created all the designs that defined their products. They…
CAD file organization and management is one of the difficulties with CAD files. This fact holds true whether you’re taking part in a large-scale CAD project or small-scale CAD project, working for a company, or just a CAD hobbyist. Moving from…
Layers help designers create and modify technical drawings seamlessly, no matter how complex they are. For layers to be effective, they must be managed properly. This article is a step-by-step guide to CAD layer management, explaining what a layer is, its…
Typical CAD files used for architectural drawings and 3D parts and assembly drawings and models can be anywhere between a few kilobytes and a few gigabytes. Files that are one or two gigabytes in size are fairly common, but they can…
Tracking CAD file versions manually is often inefficient and prone to errors. Not once have companies and teams, both large and small, reported that such methods are plagued by human errors, an inability to revert to previous versions quickly, and the…
In 2010, the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation (Regional San) – now called the Sacramento Area Sewer District or SacSewer – began exploring strategies to improve the water treatment processes at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in California, USA. The exploration…
Cybersecurity breaches can cause significant disruptions. Not only can such breaches result in financial losses, either directly or indirectly, but they can also lead to reputational damage and loss of crucial proprietary data, such as the information generated during project design…
There are three 3D modeling schemes or techniques: wireframe modeling, solid modeling, and surface modeling. Each scheme serves a specific function, helping designers to implement certain designs or features. However, they use significantly different mathematical and technical approaches, introducing nuances that…
Patents are a type of intellectual property that protects inventions. They are awarded after an application process often laid out in a country’s patent law and/or regulations and are valid for a non-renewable period of 20 years from the filing date….
CAD designs, including both 3D models and 2D plans, are protected by various forms of intellectual property (IP) laws. The protections range widely from trademarks and copyrights to inventions protected by patent laws, protected designs, and internationally agreed trade rules for…
The fields of design, engineering, construction, and manufacturing often bring together multiple players, including designers, engineers, contractors and subcontractors, suppliers, and clients. Each individual plays a crucial role in achieving project goals and must stay aligned with the team. To be…
Solid Edge originated in the mid-1990s, with the first version released in 1996. Over time, this 2D and 3D modeling software has made its mark by consistently evolving and expanding its features. Today, the software falls in the mid-range category, meaning…
The world of manufacturing offers thousands of materials, with new ones being developed daily. Each of these materials has characteristics that make it ideal for a particular function based on certain prevailing conditions. Narrowing the list of viable materials to a…
CNC machining efficiency refers to the output, measured by the number of parts produced, in a given period. The higher the output, the higher the efficiency, and vice versa. Multiple factors, such as the cutting tool or the structure holding the…
Simulation is essential in design, engineering, and manufacturing. For example, computer-aided engineering (CAE) software simulates 3D models, helping professionals visualize and improve designs while resolving engineering issues. After final design approval, the next step is manufacturing, often using CNC machining. First,…
As PwC observed in a May 2024 study, the manufacturing industry is noticeably shifting. Today, a growing number of customers prefer tailored and customized products. To accommodate this change in consumer preferences, manufacturers have had to transition from the mass production…
What often catches our eyes when we first look at any product is its outward appearance. There is little wonder then that this is also the case even in CNC machining. However, for parts produced through machining operations, the outward appearance…
Like any other business, machining shops and companies must maximize profits and reduce CNC machining costs to prolong their operations. Thus, an understanding of machining economics is essential. This knowledge helps you optimize the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of CNC machining…
