Home

Computer Aided Design-CAD is defined the use of information technology (IT) in the Design process. A CAD system consists of IT hardware (H/W), specialised software (S/W) (depending on the particular area of application) and peripherals, which in certain applications are quite specialised. The core of a CAD system is the S/W, which makes use of graphics for product representation; databases for storing the product model and drives the peripherals for product presentation. Its use does not change the nature of the design process but as the name states it aids the product designer. The designer is the main actor in the process, in all phases from problem identification to the implementation phase. The role of the CAD is in aiding him/her by providing:

Accurately generated and easily modifiable graphical representation of the product. The user can nearly view the actual product on screen, make any modifications to it, and present his/her ideas on screen without any prototype, especially during the early stages of the design process.
Perform complex design analysis in short time. Implementing Finite Elements Analysis methods the user can perform:
Static, Dynamic and Natural Frequency analysis, Heat transfer analysis, Plastic analysis, Fluid flow analysis, Motion analysis, Tolerance analysis, Design optimisation
Record and recall information with consistency and speed. In particular the use of Product Data Management (PDM) systems can store the whole design and processing history of a certain product, for future reuse and upgrade.

At IIT, Kanpur, we have the facilities from developing a CAD model to manufacture a prototype by using Rapid Prototyping technique. In the CAD laboratory there are FDM -1650 and Cubital - SGC, which are two most widely used Rapid Prototyping machines. We have latest Digital Scanner (ARTEC 3D) to generate point clouds data with an accuracy of better than 0.1mm/m object size. Also we have a six-degree Faro Arm Scanner for collecting data from an object. Besides these machines, we have Silicon Vacuum Casting machine and Tafa Spray Gun which are used in Rapid Tooling procedure. CAD laboratory of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur has several workstations with latest solid modeling and design software like IDEA's, Unigraphics, Pro E,and latest Operating System software. A team of highly qualified engineers (M.Tech. and Ph.D.) are working in our CAD laboratory to take care of any requirement of Design, Solid Modeling, Rapid Prototyping, or Rapid Tooling from any Industry.