- By Larry Bernstein
- September 22, 2019
- Agile Technology, Design, Engineers
When most people envision a construction worker, they see a person at a construction site wearing a hard hat and a safety vest. Perhaps this person is putting up drywall, hammering nails, laying flooring, or even having lunch high above the ground, evoking the iconic Lunch Atop a Skyscraper photograph. Although all these constitute part of the job, construction is in many ways a tech job. This has always been the case, yet with the introduction of CAD, technology’s role in the industry and the impact it has on the job have both grown.
History of CAD
The origins of CAD trace back to the early 60s and Patrick Hanratty and Ivan Sutherland. While working for General Electric, Hanratty developed a program he called DAC, the first system which used interactive graphics and a numerical control programming system.
Just two years later, in 1963, Ivan Sutherland designed a system that “broke new ground in 3D computer modelling and visual simulation, which is the basis for CAD.” Sutherland called his program Sketchpad, and explained it “let designers use a light pen to create engineering drawings directly on a CRT.”
In 1971, Hanratty developed a program called ADAM. It was described as the “first commercially available integrated, interactive graphics design, drafting, and manufacturing system.” Approximately nine in 10 of CAD programs find their roots in ADAM.
Hanratty upgraded ADAM over time, enabling it to run on 16-bit, and later 32-bit computers. With a name change to AD-2000 along with more machining and surfacing capabilities, the program became a hit.
Purpose of CAD
Used by engineers, architects, and construction managers, CAD has replaced manual drafting. It helps users creating designs in either 2D or 3D so that they can visualize the construction.
“CAD enables the development, modification, and optimisation of the design process.“
CAD enables the development, modification, and optimization of the design process. Thanks to CAD, engineers can make more accurate representations and modify them easily to improve design quality. The software also takes into account how various materials interact: This is especially relevant as more details are added to drawings by subcontractors.
Today, drawings/plans can be stored in the cloud, Thus, contractors have gained access to CAD-based drawings/plans at the work site. Entire teams can check out plan modifications easily, including the contractor and subcontractors. This way, it is possible for relevant parties to recognise the possible impact the changes might have on construction and adapt as needed. Such ready access to plans improves communication.
Effective utilization of all information ultimately increases productivity. CAD enables designers to consider electricity, plumbing, and other elements, helping to create a more comprehensive design. Ultimately, this translates to fewer work changes and fewer surprises during construction.
CAD and its spin offs, with their many features, have become a staple throughout the construction industry and through all phases of the process. Its technological impact has been a game-changer in the industry—it has transformed construction into a technology job.