CNC Engineering & CAD Design

CNC Engineering and CAD Design turns design concepts into manufactured-part reality.

Our CNC Engineering expertise combines CAD expertise with manufacturing experience to arrive at efficient and effective manufacturing solutions. The highly trained CED Engineering Team takes the lead through a collaborative process with our Product Designers. Together, they transforms your new or refined product designs into a 3-D CAD files that can be utilized for presentation, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing

A Step-by-Step look at CED’s CNC Engineering & CAD Design Process

1. Strategy Planning
Strategy planning in our CNC Engineering involves defining priorities relative to new part performance needs, visual design preferences, industry mandated specifications and tolerances, and manufacturing budget. Starting with your approved 2-D Design Models, we explore innovative ways to further improve function, appearance, and part life. At this stage, we are also on the lookout for any potential machining-process issues or patent infringements.

2. CAD Modeling
Using advanced industry-standard CAD applications (SolidWorks, AutoDesk Inventor, etc.) our Engineers generate high-fidelity 3D CAD Model Images that bring concepts to life with clarity and detail. 3-D CAD models are often used to present or validate a design concepts for “team approval.” That’s because their accuracy eliminates any confusion about intended design direction prior to advancing to prototyping or production stages.

3-D CAD designs can be rotated, sectioned, and magnified to visually evaluate ergonomics, refine aesthetics, simulate material behavior, virtually test assembly fit, and review potential finishes. CAD models ALSO provide close ups of important structural detail to confirm assembly compatibility with ancillary components like gears, wires, tubes, springs, and more.

Along with bridging the gap between concepts and manufactured products, 3D CAD files allow us to examine how different design variations can affect efficiency and precision on our Machine Shop floor.

3. CAM Engineering
Once a CAD model is approved, our engineers import it into Computer Aided Manufacturing or “CAM” software. This software translates the CAD design into instructions that computer controlled technology can follow to produce the next step.
Depending on program needs, one of two types of instructions can be generated:

• STL file: Also referred to as “Stereolithography” and “Standard Triangle Language,” and STL file digitally defines surface geometry of a 3-D object in “mesh format” layers. These layers can then be assembled using Rapid 3-D Additive Printing to create a physical prototype part.
• G-code: This translates the CAD deign into instructions that generate CNC toolpaths. These toolpaths define with exacting precision the cutting actions that CNC machine tooling with follow to create either one-Off Machined Prototypes — or — to start Custom Machined Part Production if no prototype is needed. During this process, a Machining Simulation Mode can also be deployed prior to the actual machining.This simulation mode emulates the machining process “virtually” to identify and correct potential collisions or inefficiencies before cutting begins.

4. Prototyping and Evaluation
After using either 3-D Printing or one-off Machining to create a prototype, Functional evaluation is conducted to analyze part fit, performance, and machining effectiveness. We then implement any improvements that will enhance part quality and manufacturing efficiency even further.

5. Design Documentation
Careful recording of the entire process and final manufacturing strategy ensures repeatability and accountability. These records include a materials bill, description of process and details, copies of all designs, 3-D CAD drawings, and CAM files. We also include copies of interior details, surface specifications, and even animated video clips if necessary to illustrate crucial product movement and function.

6. Ongoing Quality Assurance
Once machining of a part begins, first-run inventory is reviewed, measured, tested, and evaluated to detect any problems a confirm spec-meeting conformity. This QA regiment continues throughout a machined-part production cycle. Throughout the production cycle, we continually scrutinize production with a focus on identifying any additional cost-reductions or part enhancements. At CED, we never stop looking to make your part better, faster, and for less through ongoing, customer-focused CNC Engineering.