Current status and products of CAD/CAM technology

After more than 40 years of development, CAD/CAM technology has made great progress. CAD/CAM is now primarily running on workstations or on a PC platform. Although the workstation has superior performance and fast graphics processing, the price is very expensive, which limits the promotion of CAD/CAM technology to a certain extent. With the advent of the Pentium chip and the Windows NT operating system, CAD/CAM software, which was previously only available on workstations, can now also run on a PC. Since the price of the microcomputer is far lower than that of the workstation, the performance is not inferior to that of the middle and low-end workstations, and the security of the Windows NT operating system is greatly improved compared with the operating systems such as DOS, Windows 3.x, and Windows 95/98. Therefore, the microcomputer platform creates excellent conditions for popularizing CAD applications. On this basis, CAD/CAM software vendors have launched a new round of competition. On the one hand, the famous CAD/CAM software (such as UG and CATIA) on the workstation is fully functionally transplanted to the microcomputer platform, so that the microcomputer can realize the processing capability of the workstation environment completely. On the other hand, the CAD/CAM software breaks the original The flaws in the Unix environment are fully expanded on the Windows platform. Pentium and above processors and NT environments have become or are becoming mainstream platforms for CAD/CAM software operations and applications.

The current CAD/CAM software dynamics are as follows:

First, the use of microcomputer as a development and application platform

The features of the CAD/CAM software of the microcomputer platform are:

1. Adopt Windows environment

The adoption of the Windows NT operating system is a common feature of the new generation of CAD/CAM software. Nowadays, personal computers already have the ability to compete with mid- and low-end workstations, and their low price makes it possible to popularize CAD applications. The new generation of CAD/CAM software on the Windows platform basically uses a typical Windows interface and operating specifications, and due to the wide application of DDE and OLE technology, these CAD/CAM software can exchange dynamic data with other software on the Windows platform. You can embed (or link) objects of other applications without exiting the CAD/CAM software.

2. Using COM technology

COM (ComponentObjectModel) is an important technology introduced internationally to improve software stability and development efficiency. The CAD/CAM software for today's Windows platform has more or less applied COM technology. By using off-the-shelf components, software developers can avoid many of the cumbersome and difficult foundations of software development, which can greatly shorten the time-to-market of CAD software from a very high starting point, which makes it easy to gain a competitive advantage.

At the same time, the maintainability and scalability of the CAD software are enhanced by the adoption of object-oriented technology.

3. Absorb the advantages of Unix platform software

The new generation of computer platform CAD software fully absorbs the essence of Unix workstation software. Good features such as parameter drive, feature modeling, dynamic navigation, two-dimensional and three-dimensional bidirectional correlation, STEP standard and dynamic graphic display have all been absorbed by the microcomputer platform software.

Second, the implementation of PDM technology

With the promotion of CAD technology, the original technology management system faces enormous challenges. Prior to the adoption of computer-aided design, various types of drawings, technical documents, process cards, production orders, change orders, purchase orders, costing lists, and bills of materials involved in the design, process, and management of products were manually written. , approval, categorization, distribution and archiving, all materials are managed through the Technical Reference Room. Since the adoption of computer technology, the above information related to the product has become electronic information. Simply using computer technology to simulate the original method of manual management of data often cannot fundamentally solve the contradiction between advanced design and manufacturing methods and backward data management. To resolve this contradiction, PDM technology must be adopted.

PDM (Product Data Management) is an advanced computer management system software born from the height of managing CAD/CAM systems. It manages all the data throughout the life of the product. Product drawings and technical documents written by engineers and technicians according to market requirements are only part of the product data. In addition to managing the above data, the PDM system must manage the data in all relevant market requirements, analysis, design and manufacturing processes, user instructions and after-sales services. It can be seen that the product information managed by the PDM system will involve the product design, process, manufacturing, operation and service departments of the enterprise. Therefore, the implementation of the PDM system has the characteristics of wide coverage and large information workload.

Implementing PDM technology can realize parallel engineering, improve product design efficiency, support total quality management, and achieve balance between people, process and technology. Therefore, it can bring huge benefits to the enterprise. The implementation of PDM technology is different from the implementation of CAD/CAM technology. The former adjusts the management mode of the enterprise. Transforming the original manual management method into the computer management mode of PDM requires both the original management habits and the information integration requirements. Due to differences in the technical environment, management level, and corporate culture of the enterprise, the PDM implementation process of each enterprise will not be the same. Only after a thorough understanding of the company's computer environment, enterprise processes, and the overall goals of PDM, a comprehensive analysis of the company's detailed requirements for PDM products can select the PDM products and solutions that are most suitable for the company's development.

At present, the international mainstream PDM products include UG IMAN, SDRC Metaphase and other software. Domestic PDM products include Gaohua PDM and Wuhan Tianyu PDM.

Third, the research and application of modern integrated manufacturing system (CIMS)

In 1973, Dr. Joseph Harrington of the United States first proposed the concept of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) in the book Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Its connotation is to systematically integrate various technologies related to manufacturing in the enterprise by means of computers, thereby improving the ability of enterprises to adapt to market competition. This concept emphasizes two aspects: (1) The various production links of an enterprise are indivisible and need to be organized in a unified manner. (2) The product manufacturing process is essentially the process of information collection, transmission, and processing.

CIM is an advanced idea, but due to the limitations of the technical level at the time, it was not until the early 1980s that this idea was valued and adopted by the manufacturing field. In the past ten years, CIM has been continuously enriched, improved and developed in practice with the encouragement of market competition and the advancement of related technologies. Starting from this concept and experiencing the research and practice of information integration, process integration and enterprise integration, we propose the concept of Modern Integrated Manufacturing System (CIMS).

China launched the 863/CIMS theme plan in March 1986, which began the comprehensive research and implementation of CIMS. At the heart of the 863/CIMS thematic research and implementation technology is modern integrated manufacturing, where integration is divided into three phases: information integration, process integration (such as concurrent engineering), and enterprise integration (such as agile manufacturing). Below we briefly introduce these three integrations.

1. Information integration

The correct and high-speed sharing and exchange of information within the enterprise is the first problem that must be solved to improve the technical and management level of the enterprise.

Information integration is effective for improving the market competitiveness of enterprises, but the means of implementing information integration is still relatively backward. This makes the enterprise CIMS application engineering development cycle long and the quality is not easy to guarantee. Therefore, information integration is still the main content of enterprise informationization in the future, and it is also the basis for implementing technologies such as concurrent engineering. The CIMS application engineering with information integration as the main content in China will still be experienced in the process of most enterprise informationization in the future.

2. Process integration

The design and development process of traditional serial operations often leads to iterations in the product development process, resulting in long product development cycles and increased costs. If the serial processes in the product design are converted into parallel engineering as much as possible, the manufacturability and assemblability in the following processes can be considered in design, and the development time can be reduced and the development time can be shortened. Parallel engineering is an advanced manufacturing model based on this idea.

3. Enterprise integration

In order to improve their market competitiveness, companies must face the new situation of global manufacturing and make full use of global manufacturing resources in order to respond to the market better, faster and more economically. This is the source of agile manufacturing. The organizational form of agile manufacturing is to establish a dynamic alliance of enterprises (so-called virtual enterprises) for a specific product between enterprises. The ability of companies to continue to form alliances is one of the hallmarks of corporate agility.

Currently popular CAD/CAM software at home and abroad

After decades of development, CAD/CAM technology has gone through the era of mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, and microcomputers. Each era has popular CAD/CAM software. Nowadays, CAD/CAM software for workstations and microcomputer platforms has taken the lead, and a number of relatively good and popular commercial software have appeared. Below we will introduce some popular software at home and abroad.

First, foreign software

1.Unigraphics (UG)

UG is the fist product of UnigraphicsSolutions. For the first time, the company broke through the traditional CAD/CAM model and provided users with a comprehensive product modeling system. In UG, superior parametric and variable techniques are combined with traditional physical, wireframe and surface functions, a combination that has proven to be powerful and adopted by most CAD/CAM software vendors.

UG was first applied to the American McDonnell Aircraft Company. It is software developed from two-dimensional drawing, CNC machining programming, surface modeling and other functions. In the early 1990s, General Motors selected UG as the company's CAD/CAE/CAM/CIM lead system, which further promoted the development of UG. In October 1997, UnigraphicsSolutions signed an agreement with Intergraph to merge the latter's mechanical CAD products and unify the microcomputer-based SOLIDEDGE software onto the Parasolid platform. This formed a relatively complete enterprise-class CAD/CAE/CAM/PDM integrated system from low-end to high-end with both Unix workstation and Windows NT.

2.SOLIDEDGE

SOLIDEDGE is real Windows software. Instead of moving workstation software to the Windows platform, it leverages Windows' advanced technology based on Component Object Model (COM) to rewrite code. SOLIDEDGE is compatible with Microsoft Office and compatible with Windows OLE technology, which enables designers to perform word processing, electronic reports, database operations, etc. under Windows when using CAD systems.

SOLIDEDGE has a user-friendly interface. It uses an interface technology called SmartRibbon. Users can see the specific content and detailed steps of the command on the SmartRibbon by pressing a command button, and prompt on the status bar. What the user should do next.

SOLIDEDGE is a new generation of mechanical design CAD system based on parameter and feature solid modeling. It is a solid modeling system specially developed for designers that is easy to understand and operate.

3.AutoCAD

AutoCAD is the leading product of Autodesk. Autodesk is the world's fourth largest PC software company. Currently in the CAD/CAE/CAM industry, the company is the world's largest user of software suppliers, and the world's largest PC-based CAD and animation and visualization software company. Autodesk's software products have been widely used in major areas such as mechanical design, architectural design, film and television production, video game development, and data development for the Web.

AutoCAD is the most popular 2D drawing software available today, with a broad user base in 2D graphics. AutoCAD has powerful 2D features such as drawing, editing, hatching and patterning, dimensioning, and secondary development, as well as some 3D features. AutoCAD provides AutoLISP, ADS, and ARX as tools for secondary development. In many practical applications (such as machinery, construction, electronics), some software developers have developed a number of software based on real-world applications based on AutoCAD. Currently, Autodesk has released AutoCAD2000, which is equivalent to AutoCADR15.

4.MDT

MDT is a 3D mechanical CAD system developed by Autodesk on the PC platform. Based on 3D design, it integrates design, analysis, manufacturing and document management functions; it provides users with a solution from design to manufacturing integration.

The main features of MDT are as follows:

(1) Feature-based parametric solid modeling. Users can easily complete complex 3D solid modeling, and the model can be flexibly edited and modified.

(2) Based on NURBS surface modeling, a variety of complex surfaces can be constructed to meet the requirements of complex surfaces such as mold design.

(3) It is convenient to complete large-scale assembly of hundreds or even thousands of parts.

(4) MDT provides associated drawing and sketching capabilities, providing a complete two-way coupling of models and drawings.

The launch of the software is widely welcomed by users. So far, the world's cumulative sales have reached 70,000 sets, and nearly 1,000 sets have been sold in China. Because the software and AutoCAD are from Autodesk at the same time, the two are fully integrated, allowing users to easily convert from 3D to 2D. MDT provides a better choice for AutoCAD users to upgrade to 3D.

5.SolidWorks

SolidWorks is a Windows-based mechanical design software from Shengxin International Co., Ltd. Shengxin is a professional information high-speed technology service company that has maintained its synchronization with the international CAD/CAE/CAM/PDM market in terms of information and technology. The "Windows-based CAD/CAE/CAM/PDM desktop integration system" promoted by the company is based on Windows and integrates various applications with SolidWorks as the core, including structural analysis, motion analysis, engineering data management and CNC machining. It provides a coveted solution for Chinese companies. ”

SolidWorks is a newcomer to the parametric feature modeling software of the microcomputer version. The software is designed to provide the mechanical designers with a more user-friendly interface and a more popular operating environment with a 1/4 to 1/5 price of the corresponding software version of the workstation version. Features.

SolidWorks is a fully parametric feature modeling software based on the Windows platform. It can easily realize complex 3D part solid modeling, complex assembly and generate engineering drawings. The graphical interface is friendly and the user gets started quickly. The software can be applied to the design and production preparation of mechanical products based on regular geometric shapes, and its price is moderate.

6. Cimatron

The Cimatron CAD/CAM system is a CAD/CAM/PDM product from Cimatron, Israel. It is a system that implements full-featured 3D CAD/CAM on a microcomputer platform. The system provides a flexible user interface, excellent 3D modeling, engineering drawings, comprehensive CNC machining, a variety of general purpose, dedicated data interfaces and integrated product data management.

Since the Cimatron CAD/CAM system entered the market in the 1980s, it has become popular in the international mold manufacturing industry. In recent years, in order to develop in the field of design and manufacturing, Cimatron has added a number of functional modules suitable for design. Every year, new versions are launched, and the market share is growing rapidly. In 1994, Beijing Aerospace Computer Software Co., Ltd. (BACS) began to promote Cimatron software in China and carried out localization to meet the application needs of different levels of technical personnel in domestic enterprises. Users cover machinery, railway, scientific research, education and other fields. At present, more than 200 sets have been sold, and the market prospect is promising.

7.Pro/Engineer

The Pro/Engineer system is a product of Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). The single database, parametric, feature-based, and fully-relevant concepts proposed by PTC have changed the traditional concept of mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM. This new concept has become the new standard in the world of mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM. The third-generation mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM product Pro/Engineer software developed with this concept can integrate design-to-production processes, enabling all users to simultaneously design and manufacture the same product, ie, so-called parallelism. engineering.

The main functions of the Pro/Engineer system are as follows:

(1) True full relevance, any changes will be automatically reflected in all relevant places.

(2) The ability to truly manage concurrent processes and achieve parallel engineering.

(3) It has a powerful assembly function and can always maintain the designer's design intent.

(4) Easy to use, can greatly improve the design efficiency.

The user interface of the Pro/Engineer system is simple and clear, and it conforms to the design ideas and habits of engineers. The entire system is built on a unified database with a complete and unified model. Pro/Engineer is built on a workstation and is system-independent and easy to port.

8.I-DEAS

I-DEAS is a CAD/CAM software developed by SDRC Corporation of the United States. The company is an internationally renowned mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM company with a worldwide reputation. Many well-known foreign companies such as Boeing, Sony, Samsung, Hyundai and Ford are major customers and partners of SDRC.

The I-DEAS Master Series 5 was first shown in the United States on June 20 this year and attracted widespread attention. This piece is a highly integrated CAD/CAE/CAM software system. It helps engineers complete the entire product development process from product design, simulation analysis, testing to CNC machining in a single digital model with great efficiency. I-DEAS is a large-scale CAD/CAE/CAM software widely used by manufacturing users worldwide.

I-DEAS has consistently ranked first in the world in CAD/CAE integration technology. The software includes advanced analysis functions such as structural analysis, thermal analysis, optimization design, and durability analysis that truly improve product performance.

SDRC is also the world's largest professional CAM software manufacturer. I-DEASCAMAND is the top product in the CAM industry. I-DEASCAMAND can easily simulate the movement of tools and machine tools. It can process extremely complex workpiece surfaces from simple 2-axis and 2.5-axis machining to 7-axis 5-linkage, and can automatically control and optimize the CNC machining process.

Second, domestic software

1. Gao Hua CAD

Gao Hua CAD is a CAD product launched by Beijing Gaohua Computer Co., Ltd. The company is a specialized high-tech enterprise jointly developed by Tsinghua University and Guangdong Kelon (Rongsheng) Group, specializing in the research, development, promotion, application, sales and service of CAD/CAM/PDM/MIS integrated systems. The company is closely integrated with the National CAD Support Software Engineering Center, adheres to the development path of the national software industry with independent copyright, and takes "the needs of users is our needs" as a promise, and has taken a gratifying step in the direction of commercialization of scientific research results.

Gaohua CAD series products include computer-aided drawing support system GHDrafting, mechanical design and drawing system GHMDS, process design system GHCAPP, 3D geometric modeling system GHGEMS, product data management system GHPDMS and automatic CNC programming system GHCAM. Among them, GHMDS is a CAD/CAE/CAM integrated system based on parametric design. It has full navigation, graphic drawing, detailed table processing, full constraint parametric design, parameterized pixel assembly, dimensioning, standard parts library, image editing. And other functional modules. GHGEMS5.0 won the first place in the second national independent copyright CAD support software evaluation.

2. CAXA electronic board and CAXA-ME manufacturing engineer

The development and sales unit of CAXA electronic board and CAXA-ME manufacturing engineer software is Beijing Beihanger Software Co., Ltd. (formerly Huazheng Software Research Institute of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics). The company is a specialized company engaged in CAD/CAE/CAM software and engineering services.

CAXA electronic drawing board is a set of efficient, convenient and intelligent general Chinese design drawing software, which can help designers to design part drawings, assembly drawings, process charts and flat packaging. It is suitable for all occasions requiring two-dimensional drawing. People can concentrate on the design concept and completely remove the drawing board to meet the requirements of modern enterprise rapid design, drawing and electronic information.

CAXA-ME is a self-developed Chinese interface and 3D complex surface CAD/CAM software for mechanical manufacturing. The CAXA Manufacturing Engineer version 1.0 was released in 1996, the CAXA-ME version 2.0 was released in March 1998, and the CAXA-ME2000 version was released.

3.GS-CAD98

GS-CAD98 is a feature-based parametric modeling system developed by Zhejiang Datian Electronic Information Engineering Co., Ltd. The company is a high-tech research, development and application company jointly established by the National Science and Technology Commission High Technology Research and Development Center, Zhejiang University and China Aerospace Corporation CAD/CAM Center in Hangzhou. Datian Company integrates software development, engineering application, information system integration and computer product sales. It is a specialized high-tech company engaged in the development, application, sales and service of CAD/CAPP/CAM engineering database and MIS/OA.

GS-CAD98 is a 3D CAD system with completely independent copyright, based on microcomputer and Chinese Windows95/NT platform. The software is based on the national “seventh five-year” major research and 863/CIMS theme target product development results, with reference to SolidWorks user interface style and main function development. It implements 3D part design and assembly design, and the whole process of engineering drawing generation. The changes made in any module can be automatically changed in other modules.

4. Honeysuckle system

The Lonicera system is a CAD/CAM system based on the STEP standard developed by Guangzhou Red Land Technology Co., Ltd. This system is the latest research result of the scientific and technological research of the National Science and Technology Commission 863/CIMS theme during the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" period.

The software is primarily used in the design and manufacture of mechanical products, which enable design/manufacturing integration and automation. The software has a high starting point and is based on the highest international standard ISO-10303 (STEP). The software uses object-oriented technology, using advanced solid modeling, parametric feature modeling, 2D and 3D integration, SDAI standard data access interface technology; with mechanical product design, process planning and design and CNC machining program automatically generated And other functions; also has a variety of standard data interfaces, such as STEP, DXF, etc.; support product data management (PDM). At present, the series of products of honeysuckle system include: mechanical design platform MDA, numerical control programming system NCP, product data management PDS, process design tool MPP.

The mechanical design platform MDA (MechanicalDesignAssistant) is one of the honeysuckle series software, which is a two-dimensional and three-dimensional integrated design system. Currently, MDA version 1.7 has been released to the market and MDA99 version has been released. “Honeysuckle” MDA is the first in the country to achieve commercialization, and has issued a strong challenge to foreign 3D CAD software.

5. Open the project CAD

Kaimu CAD is a CAD and drawing management software based on microcomputer platform developed by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It is oriented to engineering practice, simulates people's design drawing ideas, and is easy to operate. The mechanical drawing efficiency is much higher than AutoCAD. Open-minded CAD supports multiple geometric constraint types and multiple views simultaneously, with local parameterization, and can handle over-constrained and under-constrained situations in the design. Open eye CAD realizes the integration of CAD, CAPP and CAM, which is suitable for the habits of Chinese designers. It is one of the main products of national CAD application engineering.

The future of CAD/CAM technology and product development in China

After years of promotion, CAD technology has been widely used in machinery, electronics, aerospace, chemical, construction and other industries. The application of CAD technology has played a role in improving the design efficiency of enterprises, optimizing design schemes, reducing the labor intensity of technicians, shortening the design cycle, and strengthening the standardization of design. In recent years, the development and application of CAD technology in China has made great progress. In addition to the localization and secondary development of many foreign software, many CAD systems with independent copyrights have been born, such as Gaohua CAD and open CAD. Etc., because these software are cheap and in line with national conditions and standards, they have been widely welcomed and won an increasing market share.

However, China's CAD/CAM software is no different from developed countries in terms of product development level, commodification and marketization. Because foreign CAD/CAM software appeared earlier and developed and applied for a longer period of time, they are more mature and now basically occupy the international market. These foreign software companies have used their technology and capital advantages to start to aggressively enter the Chinese market. At present, some excellent foreign software, such as UG, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer, CATIA, etc., have already occupied a part of the domestic market. Therefore, the prospect of China's CAD / CAM software is not optimistic. However, we should also see our own advantages, such as understanding the domestic market, providing convenient technical support, and cheap prices. Under these preconditions, we must not only keep up with the trend of the times, but also follow the latest international developments, abide by various international norms, and form our own unique advantages in the international and domestic markets. We must develop ourselves based on domestic and domestic conditions and meet the needs of domestic economic construction. It has its own characteristics and conforms to the CAD/CAM software that Chinese people are used to.

Computer technology is changing with each passing day, and hardware updates are fast. In this short period of forty years, computers have experienced the era of mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, and microcomputers, and new popular CAD/CAM software has emerged in each new era. In the workstation era, UG, Pro/Engineer is the leader of 3D CAD/CAM software for workstation platforms, and in today's microcomputer era, SolidWorks is a leader in 3D CAD/CAM software for Windows NT platform. Since foreign countries have developed CAD/CAM software on Unix workstation platforms for a certain period of time and investment, China's software is far behind this in the United States and other developed countries. However, the development of CAD/CAM software on the microcomputer platform is a brand-new field. China is similar to foreign countries. It uses Visual C++, OpenGL and other tools for software development. On this basis, it develops advanced CAD/ that conforms to the habits of domestic users. CAM software is still possible.

CAD/CAM technology can be applied in many fields, and mechanical manufacturing is the earliest and most widely used field of CAD/CAM technology. With the development of CAD/CAM technology, the technology is also applied in the fields of architecture, electronics and chemical industry. In these new application fields, the advantages of foreign software are not obvious. Therefore, China's CAD/CAM software can compete with developed countries in these aspects, and with the deepening of CAD/CAM technology application, more and more fields will use this technology, so if you can keep up with the trend of the times, Continuously applied to new fields, then domestic CAD/CAM software is still very promising.

In short, we still have a long way to go, but always remember that the ultimate goal of developing CAD/CAM software is to apply CAD/CAM technology to improve the design and manufacturing level of the enterprise. Therefore, CAD/CAM software must not only be horizontal. High, have their own characteristics, but also be able to market, withdraw input from the market, and thus be able to continuously update and develop according to the needs of users.

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