Assembly drawings, or mechanical assembly drawings, are “drawings detailing an engineering perspective view on a mechanism or physical, real-world-built object that is comprised of more than one part.” Assembly drawings are very useful for engineers who are dealing with complex mechanical devices. Creating assembly drawings have become improved with the recent improvements in 2D CAD drafting and detailing software. It is very vital that designs are visualized accurately and precisely so that the manufacturing stage will become successful and safer and the maintenance stage will become easier.

2D drafting and detailing is “an important aspect of any CAD tool.” The speed of creating 2D CAD drawings is a matter of great importance especially for projects that have 2D drawing end-results (aside from the fact that 2D CAD drawings are far easier to handle than paper design models). Detailing is an important part of any project, and it must be handled by professionals. Detailing and drafting services are very important in a potpourri of industries, and it is very important that drawings are easily understood by people who will use them. An improperly made drawing results to an increase in unnecessary overhead expenses.

If you are in a company that needs 2D drawings for your projects, it is better if you outsource your works to a company that is very competent in the expertise that you need. In that way, you can work harder for your specialty because other professionals are there to take care of your other needs. The technologies that they use are frequently being updated to improve the quality of their works. The resources it takes to manage your employees are lessened. This shows that outsourcing is a profitable economical solution. An outsourcing company that has demonstrated years of experience and has produced output of the finest quality in a timely manner is the best option for a client that values reliability, high quality, and time. Such outsourcing company has the capability to produce designs efficiently and without errors. A carefully planned and analyzed design prevents unnecessary costs to the people who will use it. As a conclusion, entrusting your detailing and drafting projects to professionals who have the capabilities to do them competently reduces your cost and improves your productivity despite tough economic conditions.

References

• “2D Drafting & Detailing.” TurboCAD. IMSI/Design, 2011. Web. 17 Jan. 2011.
• “Architectural Drafting and Detailing (CAD) Services.” Supremus Group. Supremus Group, 2006. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• “Assembly Drawings Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Services Datasheets.” GlobalSpec. GlobalSpec, 2011. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• Drafting Simplified. “Structural Drafting and Detailing Services for Timber, Steel, Concrete and Prefabricated Materials.” ActiveRain. ActiveRain, 8 Sept. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• Ketan Poojara. “CAD Outsource Services, Structural 2D Drafting & Steel Detailing Services, Structural Engineering Services.” ArticlesBase. ArticlesBase, 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• “Outsource Architectural Drafting & Architectural Detailing (CAD).” Flatworld Solutions. Flatworld Solutions, 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• “Piping Design & Drafting.” Detail Drafting and Design. Detail Drafting and Design, 2011. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• “Post-Tension Concrete Drafting, Post Tensioned Design Detailing in CAD.” PRBD. PRBD, 14 July 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• PrimeDesign Corporation. PrimeDesign Corporation, 2009. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• “Structural Drafting – Structural Engineering Services.” Outsource Structural Drafting. Outsource Structural Drafting, 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.
• “When Your Business Is Running 24X7, You Need Optimum Means to Maximize Your Productivity and Profits.” RAD Solutions. RAD Solutions, 2006. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.

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In a manufacturing Industy  producing a certain unit or product ,BOM is used for communication between manufacturing partners or confined to a single manufacturing plant containing  all components Description,Part Number, Quantity, Materials, etc..If there are many Sub-assembly, It is easy to have BOM in excel file to display  all the parts in  the assembly for easy navigation of components.
In Solidworks, there are templates for computed BOMS, weldment BOMs, and weldment cut lists. Each BOM template can have different data variables displayed in the BOM columns depends on the needs of the user. Just insert all the property or data need before saving as excel file.
For example, a BOM for engineers or designers might have the following columns:

• Part Number
• Description
• Part Number
• Quantity
• Material

A BOM for purchasing managers might have the following columns:

• Vendor
• Cost
• Material
• Part Name
• Part Number
• Quantity
• Unit of Measure

From the Bom Created in Solidworks  just Single Click the BOM so it is selected and then go to file-Save As ( or right-click on the BOM and choose Save As.) . Select save as file type Excel (.xls.).

• Wyatt, William G. Accessing AutoCAD Architecture 2011. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Wohlers, Terry T. Applying AutoCAD 2010. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, c2010.
• Wohlers, Terry T. Applying AutoCAD 2011. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2011.
• Madsen, David A., Ron Palma, and David F. Madsen. Architectural Drafting Using AutoCAD: Drafting/Design/Presentation: AutoCAD 2010. 6th ed. Tinley Park, Illinois: Goodheart-Willcox, 2010.
• Aubin, Paul F., Darryl McClelland, and Martin Schmid. The Aubin Academy Master Series: AutoCAD MEP 2011. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Hamad, Munir M. AutoCAD 2010 Essentials. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett, 2011.
• Kirkpatrick, James M., and Beverly L. Kirkpatrick. AutoCAD 2010 for Interior Design & Space Planning. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009.
• Richard, Paul, Frank E. Puerta, and Jim Fitzgerald. AutoCAD 2010 in 2D and 3D: A Modern Perspective. Boston: Prentice Hall, c2010.
• Puerta, Frank E. AutoCAD 2010 in 3D: A Modern Perspective. Boston: Prentice Hall, c2010.
• Kalameja, Alan J. AutoCAD 2010 Tutor for Engineering Graphics. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, c2010.
• Hamad, Munir M. AutoCAD 2011: Essentials. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2010.
• Hamad, Munir. AutoCAD 2011 3D Modeling Essentials. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2010.
• Gladfelter, Donnie. AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required. 1st ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, c2010.
• Finkelstein, Ellen, Kelly L Murdock, and Denny Guang-Yeu Lee. AutoCAD 2011 & AutoCAD LT 2011 Bible. 1st ed. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley, 2010.
• Hamad, Munir M. AutoCAD 2011 Essentials. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, c2011.
• Kirkpatrick, Beverly L., and James M. Kirkpatrick. Autocad 2011 for Interior Design and Space Planning. 1st ed. Columbus, OH: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010.
• Puerta, Frank E. AutoCAD 2011 in 3D: A Modern Perspective. 1st ed. Columbus, OH: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010.
• Kalameja, Alan J., and Kevin Lang. Autocad 2011 Tutor for Engineering Graphics. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Shumaker, Terence M., et al. AutoCAD and Its Applications. 17th ed. Tinley Park, Illinois: Goodheart-Willcox Company, 2010.
• Shumaker, Terence M., David A. Madsen, and Jeffery A. Laurich. AutoCAD and Its Applications. 18th ed. Tinley Park, Illinois: The Goodheart-Willcox Company, 2011.
• Ward, Harry O., and Nancy S. Orem. AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010: Procedures and Applications. Boston: Pearson, c2010.
• Byrnes, David, Peter Jaret, and Barbara Schenck. AutoCAD ‘x’ for Dummies. 1st ed. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley, 2010.
• Tickoo, Sham. Customizing AutoCad 2010. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, c2010.
• Tickoo, Sham. Customizing AutoCAD 2011. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Seidler, Douglas R. Digital Drawing for Designers: A Visual Guide to Autocad 2011. New York: Fairchild Books, c2010.
• Dix, Mark, and Paul Riley. Discovering AutoCAD 2010. Boston: Prentice Hall, c2010.
• Dix, Mark, and Paul Riley. Discovering AutoCAD 2011. 1st ed. Columbus, OH: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010.
• Bethune, James D. Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD(r) 2011. 1st ed. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2011.
• Krishnan, G.V., and Thomas Stellman. Harnessing AutoCAD 2010. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Krishnan, G.V., and Thomas A. Stellman. Harnessing AutoCAD 2011. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Krishnan, G.V., and Thomas A. Stellman. Harnessing AutoCAD 2011. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Grabowski, Ralph. The Illustrated AutoCAD 2010 Quick Reference. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning, c2010.
• Grabowski, Ralph. The Illustrated AutoCAD 2011 Quick Reference. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Richard, Paul, and Jim Fitzgerald. Introduction to AutoCAD 2010: A Modern Perspective. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2010.
• Richard, Paul, and Jim Fitzgerald. Introduction to AutoCAD(r) 2011: A Modern Perspective. 1st ed. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2011.
• Omura, George. Mastering AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Technology, c2010.
• Aubin, Paul F. Mastering AutoCAD Architecture 2010. Clifton Park, NY: Autodesk Press/Delmar Cengage Learning, c2010.
• Wedding, James, and Scott McEachron. Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Technology, c2010.
• Omura, George. Mastering AutoCAD for the Mac. 1st ed. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Technology, ©2011.
• Laughlin, Robin. Presentation Graphics: Freehand and Using AutoCAD. 1st ed. New York, NY: Fairchild Books, 2010.
• Smith, Douglas, and Antonio Ramirez. Technical Drawing 101 with AutoCAD(r): A Multidisciplinary Curriculum for the First Semester. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2011.
• Gindis, Elliot. Up and Running with AutoCAD 2010. Boston: Academic, c2010.
• Gindis, Elliot. Up and Running with AutoCAD 2011: 2D and 3D Drawing and Modeling. Boston : Academic Press, c2011.
• Gindis, Elliot. Up and Running with AutoCAD 2011: 2D Drawing and Modeling. Boston: Academic Press, 2010.
• Grabowski, Ralph. Update Guide to AutoCAD 2010: What’s Inside? Clifton Park, NY: Autodesk/Cengage Learning, c2010.
• Grabowski, Ralph. Using AutoCAD 2011. 1st ed. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2010.
• Koser, Gary, and Dean Zirwas. Workplace Skills for Success with AutoCAD 2010: Advanced: A Layered Learning Approach. Boston: Prentice Hall, c2010.
• Koser, Gary, and Dean Zirwas. Workplace Skills for Success with AutoCAD 2010: Basics: A Layered Learning Approach. Boston: Prentice Hall, c2010.
• Koser, Gary, and Dean Zirwas. Workplace Skills for Success with AutoCAD 2010: Basics Through Advanced: A Layered Learning Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, c2010.
• Koser, Gary, and Dean Zirwas. Workplace Skills for Success with AutoCAD 2011: Basics. 1st ed. Columbus, OH: Prentice Hall, 2010.

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Design Automation

Paul Gimbel provided in SlideShare website some few things about automation that each designer should know:¹

• 100% automation is generally unachievable.
• Typically, the last 10% of automation will not be worth it.
• Something you didn’t plan for will always come up.
• Your drawings are probably going to require clean-up.
• Testing will take you far longer than you expect.
• Your system will require ongoing maintenance and updates.

Design automation is a time-saver that is used to reduce the design cycle time by providing consistency and repeatability, which are two things that are essential in capturing and sharing efficient design methods. Design automation results to a quicker development and a shorter time to market which in turn results to a reduced total design cycle time and an increase in profitability.⁴

Design Automation with SolidWorks Macros and API

The SolidWorks API (Application Programmer’s Interface) is a “group of functions that provides direct access to SolidWorks functionality.” Examples of such functionalities are creation of a line, extruding a boss, or outputting a file format. The SolidWorks API is the gateway to the automation of repetitive tasks such as batch plotting, custom property access, or assembly “configurators.” [5]

A page in DesignPoint Solutions provides some examples of what SolidWorks API can do:⁵

• Creating an application that can take any sheet metal part, generate its flat pattern and output it as a DXF file for use in a manufacturing environment
• Creating an application that can take all the drawings associated with a project and can print them at one time with no user interaction
• Creating an application that controls the custom properties of a part within the company standards that you define
• Creating an application that would take the input of a sales person, build a custom design and automatically generate an eDrawing of the new product for delivery to the customer
• Creating an application that could access any project, query the design, generate a Bill of Materials and output it in a format suitable for MRP integration
• Creating an application that could generate a custom hole chart based on a coordinate system and any part

Macro information is the “recording of the modeling commands sequence or the modeling history.”² SolidWorks macros are un-compiled “programs written in Visual Basic for Applications, VBA for short,” although it can also be programmed using any software that supports COM (Component Object Model). VBA is the “most common COM-supporting development environment.” To save time, macros are used to simplify or automate tasks that are constantly being repeated.³

The words “macro” and “API” are sometimes used interchangeably. The difference lies in their nature. APIs are compiled programs, such as add-ins or some external executables, while macros are un-compiled programs.³

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Animation in Websites

Computer animation is an “artful blend of creative vision and technology.”³ It has its uses in developing attractive websites. Movements in a webpage induce different reactions from users. Too little movements can cause boredom to viewers, but too much of it can be unpleasant for them. A well-done animation incites interest, while a bad animation produces distraction and increase in download times. Animation is like a hot sauce that is pleasant to the taste of most people when used sparingly, but not when used excessively.¹

Two factors constrain you in creating animated web pages: your skills and the limitations of the viewer’s browsers.¹

An article in All Web Design Blog provides the following pointers in using animations in your website:²

1. Appropriateness of an animation to the contents of your site

The animation that you plan to use must have relevance to the message that you want to convey to your readers. If, for example, you are selling electronics products, then it is only appropriate to make and show animations of cool gadgets and not of any other things unrelated to electronics.

2. Effect of the animation you plan to use on the load time of your website

You should not compromise the load time of your website by putting too much animation that slows it down significantly. People may not have enough patience to wait a very long time.

3. How your animation blends with your website

Your animation might be too much for the viewers of your website. Overdoing it can make a webpage chaotic. Colors must blend properly. Some websites are more attractive with bright colors; some websites are better with soft colors.

4. Uniqueness

How memorable is your animation to the minds of the viewers of your website? Is it unique, or is it common to other websites?

5. The use of plug-ins

If your animation requires the use of plug-ins, some people might not be able to view it.

Graphic Design and Animation

To be skilled in both graphic design and animation, some students study fine arts, communications, advertising, marketing, design services, and multimedia. Some other areas that they also study are 2D and 3D design, art history, communication design, typography, layout, drawing, and computer science. Both graphic design and animation requires knowledge in communication and graphic design software. They encourage students to acquire exceptional skills in communication and problem-solving, and to see things visually and conceptually.⁴

Graphic design is what we see in t-shirts, magazines, billboards, corporate brandings, and web pages for private firms, while animation is what we view in televisions, films, and computers.⁴

Kinetic Design

The animation of a product has almost the same importance as form, color, or material in terms of aesthetics. Kinetic design is the “aesthetic design of physical movement.”⁵ Animators use their knowledge in the concepts of movement to imitate reality and create special effects for the entertainment industry.⁴ Movement has been studied over many years in order to come up with something more creative than what we already know.⁵ The video is the “most natural and effective method to record motion concepts.” A designer can video the movements of an object that he is developing from different angles. He can also study the movements of the object as it moves at varying speeds.⁵

There are two ways in which kinetic design is useful: a means of improving how objects do their functions, and a method of inventing and developing product concepts.⁵

Critical elements of kinetic design methodology⁵

1. A vocabulary for motion
2. Methods for sketching motion
3. Recording motion

Kinetic design helps us to develop an object that not only looks like the real one but also acts like it. An illustration is a female robot that is in form and color similar to a real female human being but does not act the same way as the real one. It would be better and awe-inspiring if we could develop a female robot that can also move and walk in a manner similar to a real human. Kinetic design helps us to see a hint of life to an otherwise lifeless object.⁵

Kinetic design helps us to develop objects that are not only functional but also artistic and beautiful. Examples are the equipments found in sci-fi movies where the gadgets they use do not only serve their purpose but are also impressive aesthetically. It is also better if the design of an object is innovative. Example, if you could develop a faucet that has some engaging features aside from the existing features that it usually have, then the added interest of consumers will reflect in the sales of the company that developed it.⁵

Studying the motions of objects and using the concepts underlying them in designing is helpful in developing state-of-the-art products. The styling and appearance of a product is one thing; its movement and kinetic character is another matter.⁵

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Computer-aided design (CAD) makes it possible to convert old drawings⁶ (which are composed of simple vector entities such as lines, polylines, arcs, and circles⁵) to high-quality and detailed 3D models. This is a task that is carried out by companies that provide 2D to 3D drawing conversion services.⁶

An effective conversion from 2D objects to 3D models involves the following steps:¹

1. Establishing the base geometry.

Before data are imported to the 2D to 3D conversion module, they are first filtered. These data include dimensions, line type parameters, and layers.

2. Identification of projected geometry
3. Alignment of various geometric views (done using a basic translation technique)
4. Extrude (Boolean operation)

Extruding prevents the occurrence of errors and prepares a model for being used.

SolidWorks is an example of an application that is helpful in having successful projects. An article in PRLog provides the following advantages of SolidWorks:²

• Easy sharing of project data across different stakeholders
• Effective collaboration with AutoCAD platform
• Safe transition from 2D CAD to SolidWorks 3D
• Excellent promotion tool for your designs
• Easy clash detection and fewer errors
• Significant savings in design life cycle time

SolidWorks supports various file formats such as DGN, DWG, DXF, TIFF and JPG.²

Before, in the earlier days of mechanical engineering, drawings were referred to as “blueprints.” These blueprints were made using a chemical-printing process that produces drawings on blue-colored papers or blue lines on white papers. Mechanical engineering has now progressed and has been using better ways of developing and viewing designs. With the advent of new technologies, it has become easier to produce complex 2D drawings and convert them to 3D models.³ What certainly attracts the attention and curiosity of people are beautifully made 3D models. The more attention they give, the more your sales boost.^4,6

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Injection Molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. Plastic is known to be versatile and economical material that is used in many applications.

Products will be designed by industrial engineers and or an engineer. In modern age, the product can be designed using Computer aided design such as Solidworks, AutoCadd, Pro-E and many CAD softwares.

Design consideration

Always minimize undercut to minimize manufacturing cost. Can use slider if undercut is unavoidable due to its special feature.

Draft. Part design should include draft features to facilitate removal from the mold in direction of the mold opening . Typical draft angles should be 1 to 2 degrees for part surfaces.

Wall Thickness. Use uniform wall thickness throughout the part. This will minimize sinking, warping, residual stresses and improve mold fill and cycle times.

Radii, Fillets and Corners. External and Internal radii should share same center point. A fillet radius should be 25 to 60% of nominal thickness. Break all corners with radius. Suggested minimum radius is 0.5mm (0.020in).

Ribs. Rib thickness should be 50 to 60% of the nominal wall thickness and the maximum height is 3 times the height of the wall.

Boss and Gussets. Typical OD of boss is 2 times ID. It’s height should be less than the 3 times of OD. The height of Gusset can be up to 95% of the boss. While it’s length can be 30 to 100% of its height.

Reference:

http://www.engineersedge.com/injection_molding.htm

http://www.polymerhouse.com/datasheets/GE_Thermo%20Plastic%20%20DesignGuide_[1].pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injection_molding

http://www.efunda.com/designstandards/plastic_design/plastic_intro.cfm

Solidworks usually give us the standard sizes of thread through toolbox. And from smart fastener command we can easily create screws, nuts and washers we need. Screws from toolbox are configured in different standard sizes defends of what we choose during creation.

But do solidworks will give us the screw with correct flute? Or a well detailed screw? Of course not! Because the program need to save memory, simply means creating additional feature means additional memory to be consumed. And this really affects the speed of the program.

It is a fact that in cad designing we do not need a well detailed screw to have a good design. But as wealways say – there is always an exemption.  Sometimes we need to show thread flute for presentation or maybe there is a need for us to show it due to some reasons. This article is just a little tutorial on how to
create a thread flute on a screw we got from solidworks toolbox.

Figure 1 shows a standard socket head cup screw (M5x0.8mm) from toolbox.

Figure: 1

Before proceeding, here are the things we need to know before we can create an exact screw threadflute: (1) Type of thread (2) Major diameter (3) Pitch (4) Root depth

Below is the procedure in creating a thread flute:

1. Create a reference plane. Plane distance should be the equal to thread pitch.

2 . Sketch a profile based on the prefer thread type.

3. Make a cut for thread root diameter

4. Create a helix. Helix pitch should be the same on thread pitch.

5. Make a sweep using the previously created thread profile and the helix as a guide curve.

6. Cut to make a chamfer on screw end

After the 6 steps are done you can now see the thread flute on screw from solidworks toolbox .

(figure2)

Outsourcing

Outsourcing, of which trust is the most vital part,⁷ is a “very positive way that many business owners have chosen to fight the recession.”⁵ Offshore outsourcing is a “new age business concept that is expanding at an accelerated rate.” It is the “the collaboration of two or more companies situated in different locations.”¹¹ Clients get outsourcing services because they have a need to lower costs, focus on their specialization, or make efficient use of their resources. Clients should consider the expertise of the people in an outsourcing company and the company’s track record.⁴

Many companies focus on a specific type of function, an expertise, such as fabrication, CAD, manufacturing, and others. Even if they have their own specialization, their core functions, they still need some non-core functions to keep them working properly. These non-core functions are sometimes repetitive, and instead of doing them, companies hand them to those who have the expertise to doing them. As a result, they can focus on their core functions and yet obtain high quality services on their non-core functions.⁹ This is simply “doing the right thing”¹³ if they want to improve their businesses.⁷

To be able to provide high quality products and services on core functions and receive high quality products and services on non-core functions is a great advantage, aside from other benefits such as lesser costs, lesser use of resources,^7,9 lesser efforts in human resource management,¹² and lesser time to finish a project.⁶ Cost savings come from lesser costs in manpower, materials, and equipment.⁴

Time had proven outsourcing to be an effective way to save costs and get high quality services. Outsourcing has survived and is continuing to be successful in different countries.¹³ It makes it possible for a company to hire professionals from other countries without the need for both the company and the employees to shift their home base. This is possible because of the existence of the internet.¹¹ They use all of the benefits that they can obtain from information technology and the internet.¹³ Employees rarely need to transfer places or countries to perform their duties. This is a boon for both of them because the company can get high quality services from trained professionals all over the world¹¹ and gain access to latest technologies,² and the employees get the advantage of working with international companies.¹¹ As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.”⁷

When looking for outsourcing companies to do a particular function, clients prefer countries that have recognized education systems, technological edge, infrastructure with global standards, and mastery of the English language.⁹ Choosing a company is like choosing a suitor. The company must meet or, better yet, exceed the client’s standards and expectations. Everything must be under control and all tasks must be finished before the deadline. All details must be given utmost importance. And like in a relationship, trust is also very important in outsourcing.⁷ Most, if not all, of the transactions and exchange of information between an outsourcing company and its clients are done with great security and confidentiality.²

The following are four broad categories of outsourcing:¹¹

• Information Technology
• Business Process Outsourcing
• Software Development
• Knowledge Process Outsourcing

CAD Outsourcing

CAD is a “service wherein the computer technology is used to aid in the design and drafting of a product as a whole or part.” It is a “symbol based and drawing based method of communications applicable for various technical fields like architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, and electronics field.”⁸

Clients who are looking for an accurate and cost effective CAD services can find them in CAD outsourcing companies.³ Client’s businesses and projects become better.⁵ They can get a view of a structure before its actual manufacturing. Development of a project becomes easier.⁶ They can lessen some people management issues. As they grow, they can also scale up their teams easily. ¹² They have a wide array of services to choose from. These services include analysis, CAD designing, CAD detailing, CAD rendering, among others. CAD designing is the “process for the preparation of the general structure of any product or services.” CAD rendering is the “process of conversion of a model into an image.”⁸ Architectural and engineering outsourcing companies give importance to the ease of operations and having low costs in developing projects.⁹ The methodologies that they use are proven to be suitable in performing drawing conversions and drawing digitization.¹⁰

CAD outsourcing is changing rapidly. It is now being openly discussed on meetings and conferences, and large companies and firms are now seriously considering it as an option. For startup companies or small group companies, they outsource because they are still in the process of “testing the waters.”¹

For companies that are involved in a long term partnership, geographical location is not a hindrance to make the partnership a fruitful one.⁴ Problems always appear. But when that happens, it is very important to maintain sufficient communication between or among companies that are involved because it is the quality of work that is very much affected.⁷

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