What is CAD?

CAD  ‘Computer Aided Design’ – Software used in art, architecture, engineering and manufacturing to assist in precision drawing.

from the Free Dictionary.com

What is CAD to a Setter out? Once upon a time a craftsman would make his product and that would be the end of it. In order to increase production he might take on some Apprentices who would learn by copying the original. The making of copies would be aided by marking dimensions on off cuts of timber or ‘Rods’.

This technique began with the Medieval master Masons and became increasingly sophisticated, with full size sectional drawings of components being marked out on planks of timber (also known as ‘Rods’). In more recent times plywood panels or sheets of lining paper were used.

Drawing out items by hand has largely been superseded by Computer Aided Design. Drawings are created in 2D or 3D using the computer, they can be printed out full size or to scale. Increasingly geometry can be passed straight to a CAM*  programmer who will use the geometry to create a program which will run on a CNC*  machine.

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We don’t do this no more!

Here’s the ubiquitous Wikipedia page

*computer aided machining
*computer numerically controlled