Automation in Manufacturing

Answer

The basic geometric building blocks (primitives) in a CAD/CAM package include points, lines, arcs/circles and other basic curves/surfaces. A commonly cited basic building block is the geometric primitive.

Answer

Designs are periodically modified to improve performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability, reduce cost and material usage, incorporate new technology or customer requirements, and correct problems found during use or manufacturing.

Answer

Two commonly used software packages in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) are:

1. AutoCAD – A widely used CAD software for creating precise 2D drawings and 3D models.
2. CATIA – A CAD/CAM/CAE software widely used for 3D product design, modelling, and engineering applications.

Other examples: SolidWorks, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, and Autodesk Inventor.

Answer

Geometric modelling commands

(a) Scaling: Scaling changes the size of a geometric model. For scale factors $S_x,S_y,S_z$ along the three coordinate axes,
$$x'=S_xx,\qquad y'=S_yy,\qquad z'=S_zz.$$
If all scale factors are equal, uniform scaling is obtained; otherwise the model is stretched differently along different axes.

(b) Mirror: Mirroring produces a reflected copy of the geometry about a specified mirror plane/axis. For example, reflection about the $YZ$ plane gives
$$x'=-x,\qquad y'=y,\qquad z'=z.$$
It is useful for creating symmetric features and opposite-hand components.

(c) Rotation: Rotation turns the model through a specified angle about an axis. For rotation through angle $\theta$ about the $Z$-axis,
$$x'=x\cos\theta-y\sin\theta,$$
$$y'=x\sin\theta+y\cos\theta,$$
$$z'=z.$$
Rotation is used to position geometry and create circular or repeated features.