The next generation: CAD/CAM/CAE

CAD became better when we added other software specialities to our drafting tools. We added word processing, and coupled notes to our drawings. Today you have to add a spell checker, or you'll be embarrassed. We added spread sheets and got bills of materials. We added data bases and evolved huge libraries of component parts. So what is reasonably next. One answer in multimedia. Let's add video to our drawings so we can SHOW the assembler how to put the parts together. Let's use sound bites to instruct a service tech working on a new product. Let's use animation and rendering for both better understanding our mechanisms and illustrating them. Let's take the next step and integrate virtual reality so the user has control of what he or she will look at and explore. What a boon to technical training, either future engineers or service personnel, if they could travel around inside an engine and see how things work. One writer called this 'teaching in the first person'. Rather than our old, traditional 3rd person style. Then there is the use of the Client-Server. How many companies have yet to handle drafting room documents on a distributed system? After putting Administration, Accounting, Marketing and Personnel on line, let's put Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Materials Management, and the Service Department on the same network. Let's create the data modalities so new designs (CAD drawings) can easily assist manufacturing to better define their processes and controls, Materials Management can begin its procurement process and start to plan inventory control. And in turn these activities can create feedback to Engineering to fine tune details of design. Then integrate your animated releases and VR training files.<>