CAD/CAM/CAE

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of technology to simplify design, drafting, documentation, and manufacturing processes that are often used in automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries. Unlike graphic-based software that produces raster-based (pixelated) outputs, CAD software produces vector-based, or linear, outputs for print or machining operations. The output of CAD communicates more than just shapes.

CAD output conveys materials, processes, dimensions, and tolerances. CAD can design curves, figures, and solids in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) space. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of computer software to control machine tools in manufacturing processes. Once generated using computer-aided design, CAM software turns CAD output into operating instructions written in G-Code, a programming language that can be interpreted by machine tools. G-Code instructs the tools to create items with ideal precision according to the CAD output.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) creates faster production processes with more precise dimensions and material consistency. CAM also minimizes waste and reduces energy consumption. Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is a broad term defined by the use of computer software to assist in engineering, including but not limited to computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided analysis (CAA), computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), material requirements planning (MRP), and computer-aided planning (CAP). Computer-aided engineering (CAE) supports businesses by analyzing and delivering information about products and manufacturing tools, including improvements to simulations, validations, and optimizations. Find the information you need on the CAD (computer-aided design), CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), and CAE (computer-aided engineering) industry in our collection of market research reports.