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.

Fields of use

 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

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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.

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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.

 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.