CAD for Virtual Prototyping
NoteCAD is used to create virtual prototypes to test ideas and gather insights that inform the development of a product.
Why Designers Use Virtual Prototypes
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for physical prototypes, saving materials and resources.
- Time Savings: Accelerates the design process by enabling rapid iterations.
- Risk Mitigation: Identifies potential issues early, minimising costly errors in later stages.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates communication among stakeholders through visual representations.
Modelling Methods
Surface Modelling
- Represents the outer form and aesthetic appearance of a product
- Often used in automotive, consumer product, and concept design
Solid Modelling
- Represents volume, mass, and internal structure
- Supports functional testing, CAD/CAM, and FEA
In automotive design, surface models are used to refine the car's exterior, while solid models ensure structural integrity and component fit.
Generative Design
- Uses AI algorithms to produce optimised model variations based on inputs like strength, material, or weight
- Builds on solid modelling to create innovative structural solutions
Generative design often results in organic, complex structures that maximize performance while minimising material use.
Tools to Test or Simulate Virtual Models
Digital Humans
Definition
Digital Humans
Virtual representations of human bodies used to simulate real users interacting with a product or environment.
- Can represent different user groups (e.g. elderly, children, people with disabilities).
- Help test products before physical interaction.
- Often used in workplace design, transport, and safety-critical products (e.g. vehicle interiors).
Motion Capture
Definition
Motion Capture
A technique that records human movement using sensors or cameras to apply realistic motion to digital models.
- Common in sports equipment, gaming, and wearable tech design.
