One industry that undergoes constant change and innovation is the software industry. Large software companies have armies of engineers who are constantly testing and updating their tools, testing new ideas for the market, and always looking for ways to improve their products. Engineering software is no different, here are some of the trends we’re seeing in today’s CAD/CAM software:
Adjacent CAD-Embedded Software Tools – It’s one thing to design a component in 3 Dimensions, but it’s entirely different to validate the viability of that product in a digital environment. For the last several decades, companies like AutoDesk, Dassault Systemes, Siemens, and more are all packing in useful add-ons to their CAD software to enhance the design process. You can now take a 3D object and run simulation, analysis, and gather high-fidelity data & statistics about your product.
CAM for New Technologies – Traditionally, CAM has always been reserved for traditional manufacturing, especially CNC Machining. Today, we’re seeing mass adoption of newer manufacturing technologies, such as Additive Manufacturing, which is driving an influx of entrants to the CAM market, specifically for 3D Printing.
Digital Twins – The idea of having a digital representation of something was first spawned with the invention of CAD in the 1980s, allowing users to plot their designs virtually, rather than on graphing paper. Today, we’re seeing a mass influx of “Digital Twins” where a group will design, test, and attempt to digitally prototype their invention…all within the same computer software. This is a newer idea in the software community but is quickly taking hold of multiple industries that hope to get their products to market faster, optimize their product design lifecycle, and overall, make better products.
Anyone who uses software frequently knows just how much can change in a small amount of time by simply “refreshing” their current software tools. You can expect innovations in software to only accelerate faster, which translates into constantly having to stay on top of the latest technology trends. To learn how we help our students at NTMA stay ahead of the curve, please visit us at: www.ntmacc.org, give us a call at 800-962-6862 or visit our Southern California location!
