Topic 3 - Computer Aided Design (CAD)

A company is developing a new bicycle helmet. How can virtual prototyping help them before physical production?

• It allows the company to physically test materials before selecting one.

• It enables digital simulations to test impact resistance and optimize the design.

• It replaces the need for any real-world testing.

• It ensures the final product is cheaper to manufacture.

Why is solid modeling more useful than surface modeling when designing a plastic bottle?

• Solid models provide detailed internal structure data, while surface models only show external form.

• Surface modeling offers more accuracy for manufacturing.

• Solid modeling only works for metal objects, not plastic.

• Surface models are better suited for objects with complex geometry.

A car manufacturer uses FEA to test a bumper design. What kind of data might they obtain?

• The aerodynamic performance of the bumper in different weather conditions.

• The structural stresses and potential weak points under impact forces.

• The color variations available for mass production.

• The cost-effectiveness of different production methods.

You are designing a modular phone case with interchangeable parts. Which modeling approach is most effective?

• Bottom-up because individual components can be designed separately and assembled later.

• Top-down because it ensures that all parts fit together from the beginning.

• Bottom-up because it allows for better color customization.

• Top-down because each part is manufactured before the design process starts.

An automotive company is designing a new steering wheel. How can haptic technology improve the design process?

• By allowing designers to feel the grip and texture of the material in a virtual environment.

• By automatically generating new designs without human input.

• By eliminating the need for ergonomic testing in real-world conditions.

• By improving aesthetic visualization without testing physical interaction.

A sportswear company wants to improve the fit of running shoes. How could motion capture technology help?

• It tracks foot movement and pressure points, allowing designers to improve comfort and performance.

• It digitally paints the shoes to match customer preferences.

• It measures temperature variations in the foot while running.

• It replaces the need for human testing altogether.

How can data modeling help a smartphone company improve its next device?

• By creating 3D renders of the phone’s shape and texture.

• By analyzing user interaction patterns to refine hardware and software design.

• By determining the exact weight of the phone’s materials.

• By replacing human-centered design methods with AI-generated solutions.

An architecture firm is designing a new office building. How could VR assist the design process?

• By allowing clients to experience the space virtually before construction.

• By automatically selecting materials for construction.

• By generating blueprints without the need for human architects.

• By ensuring that every room is perfectly symmetrical.

A startup is designing a wind turbine blade and wants to avoid full-scale prototypes. What is a cost-related advantage of using CAD-based simulations?

• Simulations reduce the need for physical materials, saving costs on prototypes.

• CAD simulations increase labor costs due to higher software demands.

• Physical prototypes are cheaper than simulations for aerodynamic testing.

• CAD-based simulations cannot test structural integrity.

What is a disadvantage of using CAD software in product design?

• It requires high computing power, making it costly for small businesses.

• It eliminates human error, making physical testing unnecessary.

• CAD models always guarantee perfect manufacturing results.

• CAD software does not support simulations or animations.