Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has become the cornerstone of product development. At UPTIVE, our engineers review your CAD model after you submit a quote to help make any revisions necessary to ensure your product comes out exactly how you envision it.
To help streamline the manufacturing process and minimize revisions, these are five indispensable tips for creating CAD models.
Precision is Key
The foundation of a successful CAD model lies in precision. You want to make sure all measurements are accurate and adhere to the specified dimensions for your product.
Precision not only guarantees the physical integrity of the final product but also expedites the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for adjustments. CAD software has tools and features to help you maintain consistency with your measurements, including grids and snap functions, to help you prevent errors and costly revisions.
Avoid Thin Walls
Thin walls can create multiple challenges during the manufacturing process, particularly in additive manufacturing.
Thin walls can lead to weakened components, making the final product prone to structural failures or deformities. Moreover, during additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing, thin walls may be challenging to accurately reproduce, resulting in inconsistencies and compromised quality.
To enhance the robustness of your CAD designs, it is imperative to adhere to the recommended minimum wall thickness, .030in.
Proper Sketch Orientation
Ensuring the correct alignment and orientation of sketches within a CAD drawing is crucial for several reasons.
It establishes a standardized reference point for the seamless integration of various components during the design process. This consistency minimizes errors and ensures that the final product aligns with the intended specifications.
Proper sketch orientation makes collaboration easier because there will be a universally understood frame of reference to streamline conversations. It also helps the team update and modify the design efficiently.
Clarity in Design Intent
Design intent helps to define the relationship between objects so that when a change Is made it reflects throughout the entire design. Design intent is useful in many product applications, but especially in reverse engineering, where measurements are taken from an existing part to then create a CAD model.
Make sure to include detailed annotations, labels, and specifications within the CAD model to highlight critical features. This not only reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation but also minimizes the need for clarification rounds, expediting the manufacturing timeline.
Clarity in design intent is the key to a smooth transition from concept to reality.
Have at Least One Other Person Do a Quality Check
Once your drawing is done, go through your checklist thoroughly to make sure nothing is missing or wrong. It’s always best to have at least one other person who has not been staring at your drawing consistently look it over as well, they may find things that you accidentally missed.
These are the questions to ask yourself (or your coworker) as you are reviewing your drawing:
- Can I make this?
- Do I understand the shape?
- Is there enough information for the manufacturers?
By incorporating these five essential tips, your CAD models will not only meet but exceed expectations, paving the way for a seamless transition from design to manufacturing.