MIT and Columbia researchers introduce a new CAD plug-in for faster and easier component design. The plugin is reported to allow designers to interactively edit, improve and optimise models using a more streamlined and intuitive workflow.
The InstantCAD plugin integrates seamlessly with existing CAD programs to let designers edit and optimize their models in real-time. This is achieved by using a custom algorithm that provides instant feedback on how to improve an item’s design by using pre-computed data from a cloud platform.
Video of InstantCAD
In a paper published by MIT’s Adriana Schulz, Jie Xu, Bo Zhu and Wojciech Matusik, and Columbia’s Changxi Zheng and Eitan Grinspun, the team stated that InstantCAD is capable of improving and optimising designs in real-time, saving days or weeks of regenerations and re-simulations. With InstantCAD, after an object is designed in a commercial CAD program, it is sent to a cloud platform where multiple geometric evaluations and simulations are run simultaneously.
“From more ergonomic desks to higher-performance cars, this is really about creating better products in less time. We think this could be a real game changer for automakers and other companies that want to be able to test and improve complex designs in a matter of seconds.” – Adriana Schulz, project’s lead researcher.
The research team also expressed its hope that the plugin will help lower the barrier for entry into Additive Manufacturing for casual users.
“In a world where 3D printing and industrial robotics are making manufacturing more accessible, we need systems that make the actual design process more accessible”
