Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Back in the old days everything was drawn using sharp pencils and drafting tables. Now with the age of computers upon us everything can be done using drafting software. The software allows users to create straight lines, perfect angle and surfaces. Higher end programs allow structural testing, large scale assembly and even animations to show the end result in motion.

For our purposes CAD programs aided us in creating the final design of our test cell and overall rig. This helps us to visualize how the parts fit, how much room we have to make additions or modifications and, most importantly, lets us determine the correct dimensions so that everything can fit together. Drawings from the CAD program could then be printed out and brought to the shop where the parts were cut and put together with the help of ATS, who let us use their CNC machine to precision cut all of our parts.