CAD/CAM Tips

Civil

• Posten Engineering Systems produces Posten, a software solution for Post Tensioned and Reinforced Concrete design.
• SAMCEF has various useful software packages for civil engineers.
• Knowledge Base is a leading developer and supplier of completely integrated Civil Engineering and CAD design solutions.
• Free Structural Engineering FEA Software - Analysis for Windows 2.01.
• TerraBuild Software offers software for simply supported beams, gerber beams, columns, and support plates.
• Civil Tools Pro offers 50 civil engineering routines for streets, earthwork, coordinate geometry, hydraulics, general mathematics, and cost analysis.
• Civil Designer - suite of integrated modules for data gathering, drawing, surface modeling and design for civil engineering infrastructure.
• LISCAD Surveying and Engineering Software: complete solution from field to finish; includes cogo, modeling, volumes, design, exchange with AutoCAD, MicroStation, LandXML.
• VisualDesign is powerful 3D analysis & design software for steel, reinforced concreted, prestressed concrete and timber.
• SAM is materials mixing & blending software for the quarrying, construction, mining and road surfacing industries.
• Concrete design software from the Portland Cement Association.
• CADRE Analytic offers structural finite element analysis (FEA) software.
• RISA Technologies makes structural engineering software for almost any type of structure; buildings, towers, tanks, industrial, etc.
• Ingeciber, S.A. has a civil engineering application for ANSYS, which is based on the Finite Element Method.
• ModelPress is a new free technology that publishes and displays 3D CAD models over the web and desktop.
• RoadPlan - the highway designer's resource program - content on highway design topics, including horizontal and vertical alignment and cross sections.
• The Plotstream Plotting System is an innovative business solution for all your AutoCAD plotting requirements.
• Tools for STAAD provides solutions to some problems with the ISDS/STAAD program.
• Cadapult Software Solutions provides training, consulting services and software products to the Civil / Survey / GIS field.
• The TDOC System handles technical documents for construction engineering management.
• Sta4-CAD is an all-in-one package specifically for Design and Detailing of RC multi-story building systems.
• Geosurface Technologies has software for land surveyors, engineers and GIS Professionals.
• The EngineersToolbox is a freely-available collection of advanced online computational and reference modules for professional and student engineers everywhere.
• Civil Drafter is an add-on program for AutoCAD that helps with civil drafting standards and procedures.
• PIZER Incorporated is a civil engineering software company specializing in hydraulic analysis of municipal collection systems.
• SPACE GASS is a general purpose structural analysis and design program for 2D and 3D frames, trusses, grillages and beams.
• The STUMICO Shareware Library includes programs for steel, concrete, geotechnical, road design, timber design, dynamics and more.
• CDS Civil Engineering Software for Contouring and Volumes as well as COGO routines. Import/export to AutoCAD; Free 60 day trial.
• GaLa Reinforcement - a program for the general analysis (N,Mx,My) of reinforced concrete elements.
• eCalcX.com provides structural designers with a range of useful design and reference tools.
• Softree Software features Terrain Tools, a quick and easy freeware mapping package.
• KRTEK Inc. has software for girders, beams, bridges, concrete walls etc.
• Splash with Ripple-Thru Sewer Design - a Storm/Sanitary Sewer Design software package that runs in Bentley's MicroStation.
• GrSoft Structural Analysis Software and Software Components including Punching Analyzer.
• STRAP is a powerful 3D finite element analysis and design program, featuring a full graphical interface, structural steel (hot rolled and cold formed) and concrete design, dynamic and seismic analysis, bridge design and much more.
• Expert Estimation by Pronamics is elemental estimating software for engineering and construction that allows you full control over your estimates to produce better estimates quicker.
• BOSS International offers state-of-the-art software for civil and environmental engineering professionals.
• Civil Engineering Software Center offers an array of software for analysis of piping systems including KYPIPE, SURGE, as well as software for gas, steam, and fire sprinkler systems.
• Flow Pro 2.0: the 32-bit solution for common hydraulic design problems.
• ENERCALC specializes in structural engineering software for the building construction field
• Archon is an Engineering Consulting Firm that specializes in the creation and sale of Engineering software for Civil / Structural and Mechanical Engineers
• Boston Harbor Software, Inc. - surveying and civil engineering software for AutoCAD
• GEOPAK Software - BRIDGE, ROAD, SITE and more

Electrical

• EMI Software develops electromagnetic interference prediction software for electronics designers and engineers.
• Electrist is an electrical & electronic engineering calculator for the Palm OS.
• FEMLAB is a finite element modeling software package with a smooth interface to MATLAB.
• AcadAME Software - mechanical & electrical design, engineering, tracking & coordination software.
• Dolphin's Software has Volts, a full-featured electricican's calculator licensed by the NFPA NEC, as well as Conversions, an extremely accurate unit conversion calculator.
• LabVIEW software from National Instruments - the most widely used software for test, measurement, and control.
• SureCount - the world's first symbol recognition software designed for the construction industry.
• Arbitrary Transmission Line Calculator - CAD package for the design and analysis of electrical transmission lines and directional couplers of totally arbitary cross section.
• VIA Development Corporation provides AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT based electrical controls design software. Automatic generation of BOM's, wire lists, etc.
• FMEA-ProT 5 is Failure Modes and Effects Analysis software for manufacturers of Automotive, Electronic, Aerospace, Defense and Manufacturing products.
• Circuit Magic is educational software showing circuit calculations using Kirchhoff's laws, Node Voltage and Mesh Current methods.
• Dromey Design has powerful, accurate, and easy-to-use electrical analysis software.
• VHDL Test Bench Tool - generates test benches that are both low-cost and unlike other tools not constraining.
• Java Digital Filter Design - Java applets which may be freely used to design digital filters of many types, including types not to be found on other sites.
• ArtiSoft features shareware for electrical/controls engineers - e.g., ComStore, a PLC memory simulator.
• SynaptiCAD is your source for cutting edge timing analysis and VHDL & Verilog generation and simulation software.
• netCOMPONENTS Electronic Component Sourcing Database - contains billions of parts from hundreds of stocking distributors worldwide! Multilingual site has free demo.
• PartMiner - The world's best way to search the internet for electronic components.
• Siborg Systems - Educational and Research software for Electrical Engineering Students.
• PowerVue Circuit Analyzer : load flow and fault modeling software

Mechanical

• JMatPro is an innovative software for modeling materials properties and behavior of multi-component alloys.
• SAMCEF has various useful software packages for mechanical engineers.
• AcadAME Software - mechanical & electrical design, engineering, tracking & coordination software.
• Perspective CMMS provides independent advice on the selection of maintenance software and CMMS systems.
• S&J Enterprises offers comprehensive maintenance software, as well as extensive consulting, training and implementation services.
• Network Analysis Inc. makes SINDA/G Thermal Analyis software - supplying NASA since 1982.
• ReliaSoft Corporation provides software, training and professional services for reliability engineering and related fields.
• Maintenance Connection provides Web-Based Maintenance Management Software (or Web-Based CMMS Software).
• PipingOffice has 22 Excel spreadsheets for piping calculations - pressures, branch reinforcements, miters etc.
• ModelPress is a new free technology that publishes and displays 3D CAD models over the web and desktop.
• eMachineShop - the remarkable new way to get the custom parts you need. You design and they machine your parts via the web. It's easy, convenient, and low cost.
• vDECC - project management software designed to operate from FEED (Front End Engineering Design).
• BeamBoy is freeware for calculating bending stress and deflection in 2D structural beams.
• PUMP-FLO.com - Free online pump sizing and selection software. Select from leading manufacturers online pump catalogs.
• CustomCommerce manages engineers' product information to streamline the sale of complex products.
• PIPENETT is a powerful software tool for the engineer who needs to carry out fluid flow analysis on a network of pipes and ducts quickly and reliably.
• Process Ace Software specializes in hand-held (PalmOS) computer software for Process & Mechanical Engineers in the process industries.
• HB Team develops software for fluid dynamics applied to turbomachinery.
• Innovision Systems, Inc. specializes in in 2D/3D Motion Analysis, High-Speed Video and Data Acquisition systems.
• Free CAD Viewer - view AutoCAD drawings with free DWG/DXF/DWF viewer.
• SST Systems, Inc. offers software for piping stress, fluid flow and nozzle flexibility analyses.
• FMEA-ProT 5 is Failure Modes and Effects Analysis software for manufacturers of Automotive, Electronic, Aerospace, Defense and Manufacturing products.
• Try the Viscosity Slide Rule - a viscosity units converter from softslide.com.
• The Energy Analyst is a suite of 26 programs for power plant components, process equipment, or evaluation of energy alternatives.
• Systek Technologies offers software for Gas Properties & Hydraulics, Liquid Pipeline Hydraulics, Centrifugal Pump Performance & more!
• HVAC Solution is a revolutionary new software tool for the design of HVAC equipment and systems.
• WPM32 allows anyone in your company to print, view, review and mark up drawings created in any CAD program, without having any CAD knowledge or having CAD software installed on their PC.
• The EngineersToolbox is a freely-available collection of advanced online computational and reference modules for professional and student engineers everywhere.
• PartsWorks.com is an online part library for SolidWorks.
• JackBolt.com has web-based software for manufacturers - resource planning, cost analysis, supply chain management and more.
• WATT Mechanism Design Tool is a new software package from Heron-Technologies. WATT is a unique conceptual design tool focused on mechanism and linkage design.
• ThermoAnalytics, Inc. - Developers of advanced thermal modeling and infrared analysis software for engineering design and analysis.
• Free Mechanical Engineering Software - CAD/CAM, FEA and others.
• TotalPlantControl.com - sells lubrication management software and hardware.
• Engineering Power Tools - over 70 program modules and data tables are organized into one easy-to-use package.
• VSX-Vogel Software is a European provider of pump selection software.
• Phelps Software - provider of compressible, incompressible fluid flow, structural beam stress and mechanical analysis for machine design and small systems.
• Cullimore and Ring Technologies, Inc. - Thermal/Fluid Software and Consulting. C&R provides products and services in the areas of heat transfer and fluid system design and analysis
• ORSPEC and CVSPEC orifice sizing and control valve sizing programs

Automobile

• ScienceGL offers various kinds of 3D and 4D visualization software for engineering applications.
• 3D Design with FORMA Advanced 3D solids and surfaces design software. Try it today!
• http://www.cardesignonline.com/
  http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/

Engineering design process

An engineering design process is a process used by engineers to help develop products. the engineering design is defined as

… the process of devising a system, component or process to meet desired needs. It is a decision-making process (often iterative), in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective. Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, and evaluation.

This process can be divided up into a ten-step process, which includes identifying a need, defining the problem, conducting research, narrowing the research, analyzing set criteria, finding alternative solutions, analyzing possible solutions, making a decision, presenting the product, and communicating and selling the product. This process is not universal for all engineers or all processes. Individuals utilize their personal knowledge and experiences to follow the path to design success.

Identifying a Need
The engineers themselves often do not identify a need, but rather society discovers a need and then presents that need to the engineering firm. The term “need” is fairly vague, but often refers to desire or shortage of a good. This “need” can sometimes be considered a necessity to some people but a luxury for others (Eide). Identification of the need is a basic engineering design process, without which engineering design is incomplete.

Defining the Problem
Engineers must appropriately define the problem first in order to improve it. Solving an insignificant problem can cost a firm millions in funding and precious time.

Conducting Research
Most of a productive engineer’s time will be spent on research, locating, applying, and transferring information (Eide). They first must be well acquainted with as much information possible, which in turn produce a better solution. Here the engineer asks many questions, such as, “What has been written about it? Is something already on the market that may solve the problem? What is wrong with the way it is being done? What is right with the way it is being done? Who manufactures the current ‘solution’? How much does it cost? Will people pay for a better one if it cost more? How much will they pay (or how bad is the problem)?” (Eide). All these questions will help the engineer get a better grasp on the problem at hand.

Another major part of this research step is determining the source of information. It is the engineers’ job to sift through all of the gathered research and decide what is relevant. One sources available is an already existing solution. Reverse engineering is an effective learning technique if other “solutions” are available on the market (Eide). Other effective sources of information include the Internet, local libraries, available government documents, personal organizations, trade journals, vendor catalogs and individual experts available (Eide). It is very important to record these findings in a bibliography that way it is easy to find the information at a later date.

Narrowing the Research
Up until now, the problem research and definition has been kept broad to allow for a large amount of possible solutions. Constraints are necessary because they eliminate any extreme solutions that would be inefficient, costly, and physically impossible to create.

Analyzing set criteria
Criteria, or “characteristics have to be established from experience, research, market studies, and customer preferences” (Eide) that are desired by the consumer. In this step, solutions are compared on a qualitative basis such as appearance, durability and cost. The importance of each characteristic must be agreed upon the team of engineers in order to find the top reasonable solutions to the problem.

Finding alternative solutions
In this step, a list of the possible solutions is made and the pros and cons of each solution are discussed. Engineers will sometimes create a checklist of characteristics of the possible solutions and decided what could be changed to better the final result. “Brainstorming” is a great way to decide what is good about the solution and what could be changed to better the solution.

Analyzing possible solutions
All possible alternative solutions have to be analyzed to determine their potential. At this point the engineer will again condense the possible solutions. Using mathematical and key engineering principles, the engineer analyzes the potential performance of the solution to determine if the solution is physically possible. During this analyzing process engineers review the laws of nature and determine whether the product is economically practical by using plain common sense (Eide).

Making a decision
Some decisions are easily made through analyzing and constraining from the previous steps, but at other times the decision on which solution to choice can be close to impossible. What makes decision making so tough is the trade offs of choosing one solution over the other. Often engineers can come up with impeccable solutions, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of all solutions, but in the end cannot make the decision of which is better on their own. One tool that can be helpful in the decision making process is to be organized. Having as much information possible about all the alternative solutions will make it easier to evaluate the product efficiently. Another crucial tool is to have the objective for the problem and important criteria clear in mind. Frequently when working on a problem, an engineer may get side tracked, so it’s important to remember the purpose of the solution.

Presenting the product
Details about the product can be given visually through sketches. It’s important to have accurate sketches in order to describe your ideas to technicians and drafters. Successful engineers will have to communicate accurately through “written, spoken and graphical languages in order to develop and interpret specifications” (Eide).

Communicating and selling the product
Here the engineer has to sell and explain the product in a persuading manner. Selling the product takes place all along the design process. Another way of communication is the written report, which may be read by both management and clients. These written reports can vary in formality, but usually contain an appropriate cover page, abstract, table of contents, body, conclusion and recommendation, and an appendix. Another common way of communicating the new product is through an oral presentation which presents the information convincently to the listener. The key to a good oral presentation is to be prepared, have good posture, good eye contact and project your voice loud and clearly. It’s important that the oral presentation gives enough information to get the idea across to the desired audience but not too much information to become overwhelming, and confusing.

“Design is the essence of engineer.” (Eide) The purpose of engineering design revolves around our natural instincts as human beings to always strive for more, and that is why engineering is one of the fastest growing careers. Society will always strive for more than what is available, pushing engineers, designers, and inventors to continuously produce more innovative ideas. Through the engineering design process, engineers are given the tools and guidelines needed to successfully create these innovative ideas.