CAD has been around so long it’s almost a design cliché. However the evolvement of 3D technology has seen CAD regain its lustre in this millennium. Programmes like Autodesk Inventor and Rhino, both run by DesignBASE’s mechanical team have taken CAD to the third dimension – doing for design what stereo has done for sound. Director Tony Williamson believes these programmes have revolutionised the industry. Where once the designer drew up two-dimensional plans, built the test model and then went back to the drawing board to fine tune details and specifications, now the first models produced are often the final prototype. Designs can be rotated, measured, altered and analysed on screen until the model behaves the way the designer had first imagined. Three-dimensional design software’s automatic, associative updates take the guesswork out of design accuracy, whereas 2D drawings are more difficult to keep accurate and current. Exact time and cost saved by using 3D technology varies for each manufacturer,

but conven-tional wisdom holds that every error that gets through to the next phase of production without correction, increases ten-fold in cost. Utilising the three-dimensional technology, the mechanical division provides the vital link to assist manufacturers bring their products to fruition. “We can work alongside the manufacturer and became part of their design team. These programmes have provided the perfect partnership between industry, design and technology”, says Tony. Of course some manufacturers are not ready to make the investment in 3D technology, or simply don’t have the requirement to employ a full time designer. These companies can still benefit from this technology by incorporating the DesignBASE team into their business. DesignBASE utilises Autodesk Inventor series software and has experienced designers available to assist any manufacturer on any project – big or small.