HISTORY OF CAD

HISTORY OF CAD
□ Douglas T. Ross
○ researcher at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT)
○ introduced CAD in the early 1950’s while
working with military radar technology and
display system
○ worked on projects that pioneered early CAD
technology such as Automatically
Programmed Tools (APT) which led to the
creation of Automated Engineering Design
(AED)
HISTORY OF CAD
□ Patrick Hanratty
○ First use of what might be called CAD was
deployed at General Motors Research
Laboratories.
○ Developed Design Automated by Computer
(DAC), first CAD system that involved
interactive graphics
○ wrote Pronto in 1957, early commercial
numerical control programming language.
○ Referred to as the “Father of CAD/CAM”
HISTORY OF CAD

□ Ivan Sutherland
○ developed Sketchpad in 1960’s, first true
CAD software.

○ Sketchpad as innovative CAD software

because the designer interacted with the
computer using a light pen to draw on
the computer’s monitor.
HISTORY OF CAM

□ CAM or Computer Aided Manufacturing

○ was also developed in the 1950’s, when
computers were used to create G-Code
which was in turn translated into punched
cards that could control machines.
○ punch tapes were produced through
computer control, which could then
increase the speed of both instruction
creation and manufacturing.
HISTORY OF CAM
○ tools and machines directed by these
codes vary from plasma cutter, water jets
etc.
○ earliest commercial applications were in
the automotive and aerospace industries.
○ CAD/CAM came together when CAM used
CAD drawings to create instructions or
toolpaths to control automated machine
tools.
○ these tools could create physical items
directly from design files.
CAD meets CAM
□ Pierre Bezier
○ created UNISURF, the pioneering surface 3D
CAD/CAM system between 1966-1968 while
working for french car manufacturer, Renault.

○ Designed to aid the design and tooling of cars

by integrating drawing machines, computer
control, interactive free-form curves, surface
design and 3D milling for manufacturing clay
models and masters.
CAD/CAM in the 70’s
□ Patrick Hanratty
○ In 1970 he launched his company, ICS, with its
own CAD/CAM drafting system.
○ Business was unsuccessful because it was tied
to a computer that very few people had
available, and the product was written in TPL,
an unfamiliar language for most people.
○ In 1971, he founded Manufacturing and
Consulting Services (MCS) which created
Automated Drafting and Machinery (ADAM)
○ This product is responsible for the origins of
roughly 90% of modern commercial drafting
software.
CAD/CAM hits mainstream manufactures

□ CATIA
○ Multi-platform suite for CAD, CAM and
Computer aided engineering and was
introduced in 1977.

□ IBM
○ 1981, introduced its first affordable desktop
computer, increasing access to technology
had a huge impact on potential spread and
development of CAD/CAM system and
processes as more companies adopted the
process.
□ John Walker
○ 1982, founded Autodesk which launched
AutoCAD in the same year.
○ 1985, software expanded to offering 3D
modeling.
○ 1992, AutoCAD was available for Windows.
○ 1997, multi-line text editor was available
○ 2003, AutoCAD tool palettes was introduced
○ 2005, AutoCAD dynamic block functioning was
introduced.
○ 2006, PDF file format for drawing was available
○ 2007 Autodesk sold 8 million copies.
○ 2010, web/mobile based AutoCAD was released
□ Aerospace Manufacturing
○ prepare and detail every aspect of production to
avoid errors in an industry where microns
matter.
□ Digital Design
○ CAD software are routinely used in architecture
and engineering
□ Dentistry
○ create both simple and complex oral prosthetics
as well as other medical equipment
□ Fashion Industry
○ Optimised fabric used and reduce waste.
□ Forensic teams
○ Used to solve crimes, they use the process in age
estimation, injury analysis and post mortem
identification.
□ CAD/CAM innovations
○ It has made significant progress since its
inception. With the rapid advancement of
technology, CAD/CAM had the opportunity
to be implemented and integrated into a
stream of advanced technologies.
□ Autodesk
○ Architecture, Engineering and Construction
(AEC)
○ Product Design and Manufacturing
○ Media and Entertainment
The end.