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Computer-aided technologies (
CAx) is a broad term that means the use of
computerA computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
technology to aid in the
designDesign as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, analysis, and manufacture of products.
Advanced CAx tools merge many different aspects of the
product lifecycle managementIn industry, product lifecycle management is the process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from its conception, through design and manufacture, to service and disposal...
(PLM), including design, finite element analysis (FEA), manufacturing, production planning, product testing with
virtual labSimulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
models and visualization, product documentation, product support, etc. CAx encompasses a broad range of tools, both those commercially available and those proprietary to individual engineering firms.
The term
CAD/CAM (
computer-aided designComputer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
and
computer-aided manufacturingComputer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...
) is also often used in the context of a software tool that covers a number of engineering functions.
List of computer-aided technologies
- Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
(CAD)
- Computer-aided architectural design (CAAD)
- Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD)
- Computer-aided process planning (CAPP)
- Computer-aided quality assurance (CAQ)
- Computer-aided reporting (CAR)
- Computer-aided requirements capture (CAR)
- Computer-aided rule definition (CARD)
- Computer-aided rule execution (CARE)
- Computer-aided software engineering
Computer-aided software engineering is the scientific application of a set of tools and methods to a software system which is meant to result in high-quality, defect-free, and maintainable software products...
(CASE)
- Component information system (CIS)
- Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)
- computer numerical controlled (CNC)
- Computational fluid dynamics
Computational fluid dynamics, usually abbreviated as CFD, is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with...
(CFD)
- Electronic design automation
Electronic design automation is a category of software tools for designing electronic systems such as printed circuit boards and integrated circuits...
(EDA)
- Enterprise resource planning
Enterprise resource planning systems integrate internal and external management information across an entire organization, embracing finance/accounting, manufacturing, sales and service, customer relationship management, etc. ERP systems automate this activity with an integrated software application...
(ERP)
- Finite element analysis
The finite element method is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations as well as integral equations...
(FEA)
- Knowledge-based engineering
Knowledge-based engineering is a discipline with roots in computer-aided design and knowledge-based systems but has several definitions and roles depending upon the context. An early role was support tool for a design engineer generally within the context of product design...
(KBE)
- Manufacturing process management
Manufacturing process management is a collection of technologies and methods used to define how products are to be manufactured. MPM differs from ERP/MRP which is used to plan the ordering of materials and other resources, set manufacturing schedules, and compile cost data.A cornerstone of MPM is...
(MPM)
- Manufacturing process planning (MPP)
- Material requirements planning
Material requirements planning is a production planning and inventory control system used to manage manufacturing processes. Most MRP systems are software-based, while it is possible to conduct MRP by hand as well....
(MRP)
- Harris Academy Merton
Harris Academy Merton is a secondary school located inside the London Borough of Merton district of Mitcham. The academy was designated as an Enterprise and Sport College by the Department for Education and Skills when it was formerly called Tamworth Manor Secondary School...
(HAM)
- Manufacturing resource planning
Manufacturing resource planning is defined by APICS as a method for the effective planning of all resources of a manufacturing company...
(MRP II)
- Product data management
Product data management is the business function often within product lifecycle management that is responsible for the creation, management and publication of product data...
(PDM)
- Product lifecycle management
In industry, product lifecycle management is the process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from its conception, through design and manufacture, to service and disposal...
(PLM)
- Computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...
(CAM)
- Computer-aided industrial design
Computer-aided industrial design is a subset of computer-aided design that includes software that directly helps in product development....
(CAID)
- Computer-aided engineering
Computer-aided engineering is the broad usage of computer software to aid in engineering tasks. It includes computer-aided design , computer-aided analysis , computer-integrated manufacturing , computer-aided manufacturing , material requirements planning , and computer-aided planning .- Overview...
(CAE)