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Major Applications of Computer in Engineering By Muhammad Bilal Butt Roll Number 07B07-EE

Course: Introduction to Computer Assignment # 1

Introduction A computer is a machine which manipulates data according to a list of instructions which makes it an ideal example of a data processing system. The ability to store and execute lists of instructions called programs makes computers extremely versatile and distinguishes them from calculators. Computer technology is rapidly changing the design and production of discrete goods such as machine parts and printed circuit boards. Fueled by recent advances in computer hardware and software, a major effort is underway throughout the world to develop integrated, flexible, programmable, and highly automated systems for supporting engineering design, manufacturing and management. In this assignment, I will try to cover few key areas of this huge topic.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products, which can be goods used by end consumers or intermediate goods used in other products. CAD is also extensively used in the design of tools and machinery used in the manufacture of components, and in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses) to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and factories).

A design drawing for an engine.

CAD is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods of components.

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CAD has become an especially important technology, within the scope of Computer Aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle. CAD enables designers to lay out and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, saving time on their drawings.

The CAD process.

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The AEC industry- Architecture, engineering and construction o Architecture o Building engineering o Civil Engineering and Infrastructure o Construction o Roads and Highways o Railroads and Tunnels o Water Supply and Hydraulic Engineering o Mapping and Surveying o (Chemical) Plant Design o Factory Layout Electronic design automation (EDA) o Electronic and Electrical (ECAD) o Digital circuit design Electrical Engineering o Power Engineering or Power Systems Engineering 3

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o Power Systems CAD o Power analytics Manufacturing process planning Industrial Design Software applications Mechanical (MCAD) Engineering o Automotive – vehicles o Aerospace o Consumer Goods o Machinery o Ship Building

Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Electronic design automation (EDA) is the category of tools for designing and producing electronic systems ranging from printed circuit boards (PCBs) to integrated circuits. This is sometimes referred to as ECAD (electronic computer-aided design).

PCB Layout Program

Before EDA, integrated circuits were designed by hand, and manually laid out. Some advanced shops used geometric software to generate the tapes for the Gerber photoplotter, but even those copied digital recordings of mechanically-drawn components. 4

The earliest EDA tools were produced academically, and were in the public domain. The basic idea was to use reliable, low-cost, relatively low-technology IC processes, and pack a large number of projects per wafer, with just a few copies of each projects' chips. While early EDA focused on digital circuitry, many new tools incorporate analog design, and mixed systems. This is happening because there is now a trend to place entire electronic systems on a single chip. EDA is divided into many (sometimes overlapping) sub-areas. The following applies to chip/ASIC/FPGA construction.  

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Design and Architecture: design the chip's schematics, output in Verilog, VHDL, SPICE and other formats. Floorplanning: The preparation step of creating a basic die-map showing the expected locations for logic gates, power & ground planes, I/O pads, and hard macros. Logic synthesis: Behavioral Synthesis, High Level Synthesis or Algorithmic Synthesis: Simulation:

Computer-Aided Engineering(CAE) Computer-aided engineering (often referred to as CAE) is the use of information technology for supporting engineers in tasks such as analysis, simulation, design, manufacture, planning, diagnosis and repair. Software tools that have been developed for providing support to these activities are considered CAE tools. CAE tools are being used, for example, to analyze the robustness and performance of components and assemblies. It encompasses simulation, validation and optimization of products and manufacturing tools. CAE tools are very widely used in the automotive industry. In fact, their use has enabled the automakers to reduce product development cost and time while improving safety, comfort, and durability of the vehicles they produce. The predictive capability of CAE tools has progressed to the point where much of the design verification is now done using computer simulations rather than physical prototype testing.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing(CAM) Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of a wide range of computer-based software tools that assist engineers and CNC machinists in the manufacture or prototyping of product components.

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AM does not eliminate the need for skilled professionals such as Manufacturing Engineers and NC Programmers. CAM, in fact, both leverages the value of the most skilled manufacturing professionals through advanced productivity tools, while building the skills of new professionals through visualization, simulation and optimization tools.

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) The abbreviation CNC stands for computer numerical control, and refers specifically to a computer "controller" that reads G-code instructions and drives a machine tool, a powered mechanical device typically used to fabricate components by the selective removal of material. CNC does numerically directed interpolation of a cutting tool in the work envelope of a machine. The operating parameters of the CNC can be altered via software load program.

A CNC Turning Center

With the increased automation of manufacturing processes with CNC machining, considerable improvements in consistency and quality have been achieved. CNC automation reduced the frequency of errors and provided CNC operators with time to perform additional tasks. CNC automation also allows for more flexibility in the way parts are held in the manufacturing process and the time required to change the machine to produce different components.

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Programmable Logic Controller(PLC) A programmable logic controller (PLC), or programmable controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery-backed or non-volatile memory. A PLC is an example of a real time system since output results must be produced in response to input conditions within a bounded time, otherwise unintended operation will result.

Control panel with PLC

The functionality of the PLC has evolved over the years to include sequential relay control, motion control, process control, distributed control systems and networking. The data handling, storage, processing power and communication capabilities of some modern PLCs are approximately equivalent to desktop computers. PLC-like programming combined with remote I/O hardware, allow a general-purpose desktop computer to overlap some PLCs in certain applications.

Conclusion In the end, we can safely conclude that the computers are playing a major role in every branch of engineering and we can expect the increase of its use in future.

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