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CAD modelling

When a computer aided design (CAD) drawing has been made, a product can be shown from all angles on screen, and colour, materials and components can be quickly changed. This allows designers to discover aspects of the product, eg the most economical way of cutting a material or how stresses and loads will perform on it, without costly physical modelling. Ideas can also be shared quickly around the world using the internet.

CAM modelling

computer aided manufacture can help produce full-size or to scale 3D models of a product. A designer can create the design in CAM, or input an existing 2D CAD drawing. The coordinates are automatically generated and use X, Y and Z values to build a model on a 3D printer, using points on an invisible grid.

X, Y and Z coordinates

As x increases, the point on the axis moves further away from where x and y meet, and when x decreases, the point moves back towards the intersection. As y increases, the point moves further up, away from the x and y meeting point, and when y decreases, the point moves down again.

An x and y coordinate creates a point on a 2D grid that can be used on machines, such as a laser cutter, that only cut flat materials. A z coordinate is added to make the point become 3D and can be used to build objects on machines such as a 3D printer.