According to a research report by PR Newswire, it is expected that the global CAD market will reach 11.21 billion USD by the year 2023. The report states ease to design engineers, accuracy in dimensioning and cutting edge benefits to fabricators for automated fabrication processes to be some of the many reasons responsible for growing CAD market.

However, a design engineer working at CAD stations for years knows that increased market share isn’t just because of the increased productivity and ease in designing. Also a typical shop floor fabricator using CNC programming knows that there are other reasons as well behind this increased demand of CAD software.

The whole point is that the entire fabrication industry is transforming to replace the old redundant processes for good. It is a kind of transformation to which 3D CAD modeling forms the prime requirement and fundamental basis to keep up with the changing times. Enlisted are the three major shifts in fabrication industry which can be held responsible for soaring market shares of CAD.

Industry 4.0

The definition of Industry 4.0 is sufficient to anticipate the importance of CAD it shall bring. The definition essentially states and exemplifies the importance of automation and data exchange in the manufacturing industry. This brings us back to CAD for automation of designs – the first requirement of digitized manufacturing.

Industry 4.0 also referred to as ‘digital factories’ includes everything from decentralized decision making to information transparency and from interoperability of machines to data security. With each passing day, number of industrialists and fabricators turning to digitization and interconnection of their data with machines is increasing as the scope of Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT grows.

As a consequence of increased inclination towards digitization, it is quite normal for CAD to gain traction. But the way 3D CAD models have succeeded in implementing direct generation of CNC programs, and led towards accurate manufacturing outputs; they are all set to revolutionize fabrication with IIoT.

Global summits across the world are being held across the world, viz. Industry 4.0 Summit, to discuss their viewpoints; however, today only 48% of the manufacturers consider themselves to be ready for Industry 4.0. So where do we lack? The increasing demand of CAD [cited above] is the quantum of proof that manufacturers are gearing towards Industry 4.0 and slowly in near future shall all the fabricators be ready to adapt Industry 4.0.

Augmented Reality

Years ago when the Hollywood movie terminator was released, it seemed fiction to have such a big heart and have visions that collects data. But today it is possible with Augmented Reality. This far we have come with technology.

Augmented Reality [AR] has eased the way 3D is being perceived; data collection and also assistance to fabricator is advantageous for decision making, assembly and entire fabrication. It helps fabricators to develop insights and real time update while making the assembly though visuals and texts. A pair of goggles or headsets will give immense amount of assistance to fabricators in developing an understanding of design intent how exactly will the product function.

However, the catch here for fabricators is to get ready for augmented reality. Fabricators can use their native 3D CAD models of components with some modification like erasing detailed manufacturing information from it and adding other design details to get a comprehensive idea about the 3D models.

In this race to get acquainted with augmented reality, more fabricators are turning to CAD, adding to the rise of CAD market share.

Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing has sort of become a buzz word for the entire manufacturing industry, which has enabled manufacturing complex designs with ease and as a result gaining widespread popularity. It has found application in almost every industry, be it medical, machinery, aviation, jewelry, – any industry that you can think of.

The basis of 3D printing is formed back at 3D CAD modeling. As the name goes, additive manufacturing, the components are made by the process of metal or material addition and do not involve any machine cutting processes which has resulted in reducing the scrap drastically. Beside since the components are formed directly from CAD models, by adding layer over layer, it results in accurate component geometry even for the most complex products. In order to embrace this new technology, the first step is to get acquainted with CAD models, and digitize their designs.

Looking at these major shifts in the fabrication industry it is high time that fabricators gear up with CAD.

About the Author:

Usha B. Trivedi is a Technical Writer at Hi-Tech iSolutions LLP. She is a qualified mechanical engineer and contributes in-depth articles for industrial equipment, processing plants and fabrication sector. Her contributions are primarily focused on enabling engineering professionals, fabricators and plant owners to accelerate design and improve project efficiencies through BIM, 3D CAD and CAE tools.