Autodesk’s AutoCAD enables architects, engineers, drafters, and other experienced professionals to create seamless 2D and 3D models with meshes and solid surfaces. The software streamlines the development, modification, and optimization during all design and production stages.
It allows making more accurate representations and modifications to improve the overall design quality, thereby helping prevent warranty issues or product failures. Let’s look at a few more reasons to use AutoCAD’s valuable tools to design and create engineering prototypes.
#1- Draw to Scale
AutoCAD allows drafters to draw to scale by choosing appropriate units of measurements. Drawing 1:1 allows easy determination of the actual size of the product drawn. Drafters can also adjust the scale to see how it might look in different sizes without going through the hassle of adjusting the drawing each time.
#2- Easy Viewing and Layout Options
It is easier to zoom in and out or pan to other areas when using AutoCAD. This is especially useful when working on complicated or large-scale designs. The interface is easy to navigate, and numerous tools help view the drawing from different perspectives and distances.
#3- Accuracy
Considering AutoCAD allows setting the exact alignment and size as needed, it is easier to draw different objects accurately. The rectangular grid on the screen allows locating the needed point easily by clicking on the interval on the grid.
If this is not accurate enough for someone, they can use the keyboard to enter the exact coordinates of the location they want to draft. The object snap tool helps automatically locate the points as the center or endpoint of a circle or a line, which means one does not need to measure the line themselves to find the points.
#4- Reduced Risk of Error
AutoCAD makes it easy to adjust the drawing without going through the hassle of long processes. Designs can be created easily and quickly using the software’s cutting-edge tools. Moreover, tasks can be completed in a fraction of the time with manual drafts.
The prototype design is likely to go through multiple tweaks across different phases. Having to redraw it every time a change is needed takes can be time-consuming, which can be mitigated using AutoCAD. It makes adjustments to the original drawings by revisiting them to make modifications at various stages during the whole design and production process.
The editing tools offered by AutoCAD mean the drafters do not need to redraw objects. They can save time by duplicating, trimming, stretching, moving, rotating, and scaling what they have already drawn. The margin of error gets significantly reduced, as if a mistake is made, clicking the undo button allows starting over. Overall, it expedites the design process further.
#5- Identify Design Concerns
AutoCAD allows viewing a 3D image of the drawing. It can be rotated to be examined from all angles, and colors and line weight can be changed to get the required appearance. Visualizing the product enables the identification and solving of any potential problems with the design way before the production begins.
#6- Calculate Accurate Material Quantities
Drawing in AutoCAD and using the scanning tool allows measuring the quantity of each material needed in production. Besides taking the job off your hands, it also allows controlling and managing the production process more easily. You can get much more accurate specifications of what will be needed and use the information to calculate the overall production cost.
#7- Safe Data Storage and Transfers
If multiple people are working on a particular project at once, using AutoCAD allows creating a database of everything drawn. Every change made can be tracked with files securely stored and shared seamlessly between all stakeholders with just a tap.
ADDMORE Value To Your Prototypes
Experts at ADDMORE Services have decades’ worth of experience in facilitating prototyping projects for different industries. Our team is well-equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to manufacture appealing, efficient, and accurate prototypes.
Just provide us with your specifications, and let us handle the rest. After reviewing the progress, you can request modifications to ensure it suits your needs before sending it to production.
Get in touch with us to book a consultation; we provide cost-effectively and tailored plans for businesses in the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, the USA, the UK, the Middle East, and various other countries worldwide.
You can also trust us for a range of offshore BPO solutions and outsourcing services, including 2D and 3D CAD drafting services, construction project management, contract administration, Revit design services, BIM services, quantity surveying services, takeoff estimating services, architectural drafting services, Primavera modeling services, and more.