Using a drawing package

Abstract

The CAD front end of most CAD/CAM packages is usually a standard CAD system. Various graphical functions are used to draw circles, lines, arcs, points, tangents between circles, arcs through a point tangential to a line and so on. The main difference is in the way that you construct the geometry, since you only need to draw details like the profile shape or the hole positions. You do not have to incorporate features like hatching lines, dimensions or circles for holes into the drawing. You only have to specify the finished shape the tool has to produce, such as the profile shape, area clearance/pocket or points where holes have to be drilled, tapped or counterbored. Should you need to produce a fully dimensioned drawing to British Standard specifications, however, drawing features such as hatching and dimensioning are available on most CAD/CAM packages.