The successful introduction of a full range CAD/CAM system is a lengthy procedure. It
starts, as with every IT
application, with the evaluation of needs, the technical
specifications of the
system, the selection of the most suitable system and the
implementation.
During the evaluation of
needs there must be a phased implementation of the full system.
Certain steps must be
followed prior to the implementation of several modules. Existing
IT systems or equipment,
which require data exchange with the CAD system must be
taken into consideration
in drawing the specifications. Also, current trends in CAD
development must also be
considered.
The evaluation of
alternative solutions and the selection of the most suitable system
should not be based only
on desk evaluation. Benchmarking of three to four candidate
systems must be made,
based on one or two parts, representative of the product spectrum
a company is producing.
Desk evaluation of the various systems is not easy to be
performed, unless the
company is already a CAD user, has a very good knowledge of
CAD systems and follows
developments within the CAD systems.
Sometimes the type of work
a company is performing directs the selection of a CAD
system. Large
manufacturers with many subcontractors are forcing them to acquire the
same CAD system as the one
they are using. They aim at avoiding data translation
problems from one CAD
system to another.
The implementation is the
most difficult phase. It requires a strong support from the
management, time to pay
back and it should not be a temporary task for some designers.
The problems that must be addressed
include, training, organisation of the CAD team,
operation of the system
and procedures that must exist.
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