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HARDWARE IN CAD

Hardware components for computer-aided design are available in a variety of sizes,

configurations, and capabilities. Hence it is possible to select a CAD system that meets the
particular computational and graphics requirements of the user firm. A modern CAD system
is based on interactive computer graphics (ICG).CAD also includes non-graphic applications
of the computer in design work. These consist of engineering results, which are best displayed,
in order than graphical form. Non-graphical hardware (i.e. line printers) can be employed to
create rough images on a piece of paper by appropriate combinations of characters and
symbols. However, the resulting pictures, while they may create interesting wall posters, are
not suitable for design purposes.
Typically, a stand-along CAD system would includes the following hardware
components: One or more design workstations. These would consist of:
1. A graphical terminal
2. Operator input devices
3. One or more plotters and other output devices
4. Central processing unit (CPU)
5. Secondary storage
These hardware components would be arranged in a configuration as illustrated in figure.
The Design Workstation:
The CAD workstation is the system interface with the outside world. It represents a
significant factor in determining how convenient and efficient it is for a designer to use the
CAD system. The workstation must accomplish five functions:
1. It must interface with the CPU
2. It must generate a steady graphic image for the user.
3. It must provide digital descriptions of the graphic image.
4. It must translate computer commands into operating functions.
5. It must facilitate communication between the user and the system.
A typical interactive graphics workstation would consist of the following hardware
components:

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A Graphics Terminal:
There are various technological approaches, which have been applied to the development of
graphics terminal. Nearly, all computer graphics terminals available today use the cathode ray
tube (CRT) as the display device. Television sets use a form of the same device as the picture
tube. In CRT operation a heated cathode emits a high -speed electron beam onto a phosphor
coated glass screen. The electrons energize the phosphor coating, causing it to glow at the
points where the beam makes contact. By focusing the electron beam, changing its intensity,
and controlling its points of contact against the phosphor coating through the use of a
deflector system, the beam can be made to generate a picture on the CRT screen.
There are two basic techniques used in current computer graphics terminals for generating the
image on the CRT screen.
Operator Input Devices
Operator input devices are provided at the graphics workstation to facilitate convenient
communication between the user and the system. Workstations generally have several types
of input devices to allow the operator to select the various preprogrammed input functions.
These functions permit the operator to create or modify an image on the CRT screen or to
enter alphanumeric data into the system. This results in a complete part on the CRT screen as
well as a complete geometric description of the part in the CAD database.
Different CAG system vendors offer different types of operator input devices. These devices
can be divided into tree general categories:
1. Cursor control devices
2. Digitizers
3. Alphanumeric and other keyboard terminals
of the three, cursor control devices and digitizers arte both used for graphical interaction with
the system. Keyboard terminals are used as input devices for commands and numerical data.
Cursor Control Devices:
The cursor normally takes the form of a bright spot on the CRT screen that indicates
here lettering or drawing will occur. The computer is capable of reading the current position of
the cursor. The user simply moves the cursor to the desired block to execute the particular
function.
There are varieties of cursor control devices, which have been employed in CAD
systems. These include:

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Direction keys on a keyboard terminal

Thumbwheels
Joysticks
Tracker ball
Light pen
Electronic table/pen
Digitizers
The digitizer is a operator input device which consists of a large, smooth board and an
electronic tracking device which can be moved over the surface to follow existing lines. It is a
common technique in CAD systems for taking x, y coordinates from a paper drawing. The
digitizer can be used to digitize line drawings. The user can input data from a rough schematic
or large layout drawing and edit the drawing to the desired level of accuracy and detail. The
digitizer can also be used to freehand a new design, with subsequent editing to finalize the
drawing.
Keyboard Terminals
Several forms of keyboard terminals are available as CAD input devices. The most familiar
type is the alphanumeric terminal, which is available with nearly all-interactive graphics
systems. The alphanumeric terminal can be either a CRT or a hard-copy terminal, which prints
on paper. It is used to enter commands, functions, and supplemental data to the CAD system.
The system also communicates s back to the user in a similar manner. The computer as the
part of the interactive procedure can display menu listings, program listings, error messages,
and so forth.