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The concept of smart manufacturing has become an important issue in the manufacturing industry since the start of the twenty-first century in terms of time and production cost. In addition to high production quality, a quick response could determine the success or failure of many companies and factories. One the most effective concepts for achieving a smart manufacturing industry is the use of computer-aided process planning (CAPP) techniques. Computer-aided process planning refers to key technology that connects the computer-aided design (CAD) and the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) processes. Researchers have used many approaches as an interface between CAD and CAPP systems. In this field of research, a lot of effort has been spent to take CAPP systems to the next level in the form of automatic computer-aided process planning (ACAPP). This is to provide complete information about the product, in a way that is automated, fast, and accurate. Moreover, automatic feature recognition (AFR) techniques are considered one of the most important tasks to create an ACAPP system. This article presents a comprehensive survey about two main aspects: the degree of automation in each required input and expected output of computer-aided process planning systems as well as the benefits and the limitations of the different automatic feature recognition techniques. The aim is to demonstrate the missing aspects in smart ACAPP generation, the limitations of current systems in recognising new features, and justifying the process of selection.

This book addresses the need to provide up-to-date coverage of current CAD/CAM usage and implementation. It covers, in one source, the entire design-to-manufacture process, reflecting the industry trend to further integrate CAD and CAM into a single, unified process. It also updates the computer aided design theory and methods in modern manufacturing systems and examines the most advanced computer-aided tools used in digital manufacturing. Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing consists of three parts. The first part on Computer Aided Design (CAD) offers the chapters on Geometric Modelling; Knowledge Based Engineering; Platforming Technology; Reverse Engineering; and Motion Simulation. The second part on Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) covers Group Technology and Cellular Manufacturing; Computer Aided Fixture Design; Computer Aided Manufacturing; Simulation of Manufacturing Processes; and Computer Aided Design of Tools, Dies and Molds (TDM). The final part includes the chapters on Digital Manufacturing; Additive Manufacturing; and Design for Sustainability. The book is also featured for being uniquely structured to classify and align engineering disciplines and computer aided technologies from the perspective of the design needs in whole product life cycles, utilizing a comprehensive Solidworks package (add-ins, toolbox, and library) to showcase the most critical functionalities of modern computer aided tools, and presenting real-world design projects and case studies so that readers can gain CAD and CAM problem-solving skills upon the CAD/CAM theory. Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate students in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, and industrial engineering. It can also be used as a technical reference for researchers and engineers in mechanical and manufacturing engineering or computer-aided technologies.

Computer-aided process planning (CAPP) is the application of the computer to assist process planners in the planning functions. It is considered as the key technology for computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) integration. Nowadays, due to dynamic market and business globalization, CAPP research faces new challenges. In this article, an attempt is made to provide a comprehensive survey on CAPP based on features, knowledge, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms (GA), fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic, Petri nets (PN), agent, Internet, standard for the exchange of product data (STEP)-compliant method, and functional blocks (FB) method/technologies for last 12 years (2002–2013). The aim of this paper is to provide an up-to-date survey with graphical representation for easy understanding of the past, present, and future of CAPP. The design of this paper includes a brief introduction of CAPP and its approaches, methods/technologies of CAPP, survey on CAPP, discussion, and conclusion.

Clinical outcomes of dental restorations depend primarily on the choice of materials used, and nowadays, dental CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design Computer-Aided Manufacturing) materials have strongly changed daily clinical practice. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze CAD-CAM dental materials according to their mechanical properties and in relation to their clinical applications. A literature review was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library. Articles addressing at least one of the following topics regarding dental materials for CAD-CAM systems: manufacturers, mechanical features, materials’ composition, optical properties, clinical indications, and/or outcomes were included in the review. A flowchart was performed as described in the PRISMA guidelines. Among the 564 articles found, 63 were analyzed and evaluated. Within the limitations of this systematic review, it can be concluded that CAD-CAM materials present a wide range of clinical applications due to their improved mechanical properties. Specifically, in addition to materials that have been in use for a long time (such as feldspathic ceramics), resin block composites can also be used for permanent restorations.

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) is a significant pillar of manufacturing for decades. These systems are an essential part of future manufacturing. In the urge towards the development of next-generation manufacturing systems, various technologies have been introduced. Moreover, based on those technologies, numerous systems have been developed all around the world. In order to assist in future research, the related major technologies and developments are discussed in this content. This paper presents the review of basics CN), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), G codes (ISO 6983), Standard for the Exchange of Product (STEP) model data (STEP), STEP-numeric control (STEP-NC), and open architecture control (OAC) technologies. The in-depth discussion on the development and implementation of the STEP and STEP-NC technologies is also addressed. The review also highlights the benefits and role of the open architecture control technology in the CNC system development. Apart from that, the paper also presents the last 17 years of embedded CNC systems development in tabular form, which shows the cocktail of various technologies and ISO data interface models. Finally, the paper concludes with future directions and recommendations.

The recent developments in the additive manufacturing make easier and affordable the fabrication of conformal cooling channels (CCCs) compared with the traditional machining techniques. Conformal cooling channels (CCCs) achieve better cooling performances than the conventional (straight-drilled) channels during the injection molding process since they can follow the pathways of the molded geometry while the conventional channels fail. Cooling time, total injection time, uniform temperature distribution, thermal stress, warpage thickness, etc. are some of the objectives that are improved via CCC applications. However, the CCC design process is more complex than the conventional channels; therefore, computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulations have significant importance for the effective and affordable design. This review study presents the main design steps of CCCs as follows: (1) a background of the CCC fabrication process is projected, (2) the thermal and mechanical models are presented with respect to the 1D analytical model, (3) the CAE-supported design criteria are discussed for the 3D models of CCCs and relevant mold materials, (4) some of the illustrative CAE simulations are explained in detail according to the computational thermal and mechanical objectives, and (5) the single- and multi-objective optimization procedures are defined. By following the aforementioned steps, clearer and effective CAE steps can be obtained for the designers before the on-site fabrication of CCCs.

Engineering design research integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) is actively being conducted. This study proposes a deep learning-based CAD/CAE framework in the conceptual design phase that automatically generates 3D CAD designs and evaluates their engineering performance. The proposed framework comprises seven stages: (1) 2D generative design, (2) dimensionality reduction, (3) design of experiment in latent space, (4) CAD automation, (5) CAE automation, (6) transfer learning, and (7) visualization and analysis. The proposed framework is demonstrated through a road wheel design case study and indicates that AI can be practically incorporated into an end-use product design project. Engineers and industrial designers can jointly review a large number of generated 3D CAD models by using this framework along with the engineering performance results estimated by AI and find conceptual design candidates for the subsequent detailed design stage.

The use of integrated Computer Aided Design/Engineering (CAD/CAE) software capable of analyzing mechanical devices in a single parametric environment is becoming an industrial standard. Potential advantages over traditional enduring multi-software design routines can be outlined into time/cost reduction and easier modeling procedures. To meet industrial requirements, the engineering education is constantly revising the courses programs to include the training of modern advanced virtual prototyping technologies. Within this scenario, the present work describes the CAD/CAE project-based learning (PjBL) activity developed at the University of Genova as a part of course named Design of Automatic Machines, taught at the second level degree in mechanical engineering. The PjBL activity provides a detailed overview of an integrated design environment (i.e. PTC Creo). The students, divided into small work groups, interactively gain experience with the tool via the solution of an industrial design problem, provided by an engineer from industry. The considered case study consists of an automatic pushing device implemented in a commercial machine. Starting from a sub-optimal solution, the students, supervised by the lecturers, solve a series of sequential design steps involving both motion and structural analysis. The paper describes each design phase and summarizes the numerical outputs. At last, the results of the PjBL activity are presented and commented by considering the opinions of all the parties involved.

Advances in manufacturing technologies and computational engineering are key enablers for optimized designs necessary for product performance improvements. Amongst other manufacturing technologies, particularly Additive Manufacturing (AM) is pushing the envelope of feasible design complexity challenging design engineers as well as their Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools. The research field of Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) provides an exhaustive supply of specific engineering design knowledge and methodological approaches accordingly. To enable design engineers to put those approaches into practice, this research gathers and structures not yet addressed AM-related requirements on the state of the art CAD tools. Additionally, architectural CAD functions as well as features are being pointed out and envisioned design workflow adaptions introduced, necessary to enable engineers to holistically utilize AM design potentials with CAD systems of the mid-term future.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has first emerged in 1987 with the invention of stereolithography. The AM is an important, rapidly emerging, manufacturing technology that takes the information from a computer-aided design (CAD) and builds parts in a layer-by-layer style. As this technology offers many advantages such as manufacturing of complex geometries, reducing manufacturing cost and energy consumption, it has transformed manufacturing from the mass production to the mass customization. Also, it has found wide applications in several fields although some drawbacks. This paper presents the state of the art of the different AM processes, the material processing issues, and the post-processing operations. A comparison between AM and conventional processes is presented as well. We finish by presenting some prospects of this technology such as hybrid manufacturing and 4D printing.