Differences between CAD, CAE, BIM and EDA?
CAD (Computer Aided Design):
CAD refers to the support of design tasks by means of EDP for the manufacture of products or systems. These design tasks can be performed using 2D or 3D modeling. In the meantime, CAD engineering is no longer only used to create purely geometric models, but also to support other steps, such as the derivation of production drawings, simulations, FEM considerations or the derivation of information for the production department. CAD is used in every manufacturing industry, the most prominent of which are the automotive, aerospace, clothing, chemical and pharmaceutical industries or building information modeling (BIM). Today, the respective companies are literally spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting a CAD system, as this depends on the individual needs of the company and its work processes. Applications include NX, AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit and many more.
CAE (Computer Aided Engineering):
CAE describes the application of computer-aided, mathematical analysis and simulation techniques in the product development process. CAE supports CAD and can be used for the calculation, costing, simulation or optimization of products or processes. The use of CAE shortens development times, reduces production costs and increases product quality. Possible design errors can be identified and optimized using simulation solutions, for example, which means that fewer physical prototypes are required. ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, Siemens Simcenter or Altair HyperWorks, for example, are used.
BIM (Building Information Modeling):
BIM is a digital working method for the networked planning, execution and management of buildings. This method has some parallels with Industry 4.0, such as the Digital Twin. With BIM, the three-dimensional building models are also created and updated using CAD. These models not only consist of geometry, but also contain important information such as materials, insulation values, energy consumption, costs and schedules. Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft and Allplan are examples of software that support BIM planning.
EDA (Electronic Design Automation):
EDA refers to the computer-aided design process for microelectronics. EDA software enables electrical engineers to design and analyze complex circuits and systems such as integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs) and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions. EDA tools include circuit simulation, layout generation and design rule checking. Software solutions such as Cadence Design Systems, Mentor Graphics, Synopsis or Altium Design are used.
Overview: Comparison of CAD, CAE, BIM and EDA
| Term: | Software systems: | Areas of application: |
| CAD | AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, Inventor, Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Bentley Systems |
Architecture, mechanical engineering, product development, industrial design, landscape planning, transportation, construction, engineering |
| CAE | ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, Siemens Simcenter, Altair HyperWorks |
Structural analyses, control system analyses, thermal and fluid analyses, vibration analyses, crash tests, optimization of products or processes, electromagnetics |
| BIM |
CAD systems that support BIM planning: Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Bentley Systems
|
Building management, infrastructure projects, urban planning |
| EDA | Cadence Design Systems, Mentor Graphics, Synopsis, Altium Designer |
Electronics, circuit design, integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), system-on-chip (SoC) design |
