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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · CAD, Drawings and Simulation

CAD

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/kæd/abbreviationCore term

In mechanical engineering, CAD means: Short for computer-aided design: software used to create 3D models and 2D drawings of parts and assemblies, such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX or AutoCAD.

In Turkish: bilgisayar destekli tasarım, BDT

How it is used

Pronounced as one word, 'cad'. Used on its own and before other nouns: CAD model, CAD file, CAD software. Engineers model parts in CAD, export CAD files as STEP or STL and check designs in CAD reviews.

Example sentences

  1. Can you send me the CAD model in STEP format?

  2. I updated the bracket in CAD, but the drawing hasn't been revised yet.

Common collocations

  • CAD model
  • CAD file
  • CAD software
  • 3D CAD
  • CAD drawing
  • technical drawingA precise drawing of a part or assembly that shows its shape, dimensions, tolerances, material and finish, so that it can be made and inspected.
  • finite element analysisA computer method that divides a part into many small elements, called a mesh, to calculate stress, deflection, temperature or vibration under given loads.
  • assemblyA group of parts joined together to form a unit, or the process of putting parts together. A smaller unit inside it is called a subassembly.
  • bill of materialsA structured list of all the parts, materials and quantities needed to make a product or assembly, usually with part numbers and descriptions.
  • prototypeAn early working version of a product, built to test the design, check fit and function, and find problems before production starts.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: CAD, Drawings and Simulation

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