Illustration of the interaction of the various computer-aided technologies.

Computer-aided technologies (sometimes abbreviated as CAx^[1]) is a broad term describing the use of computer technology to aid in the design, analysis, and manufacture of products.

Advanced CAx tools merge many different aspects of the product lifecycle management (PLM), including design, analysis using finite element analysis (FEA), manufacturing, production planning, product testing using virtual lab models and visualization, product documentation, product support, etc. CAx encompasses a broad range of tools, both those commercially available and those which are proprietary to the engineering firm.

The term CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) is also often used in the context of a software tool covering a number of engineering functions.

'==List of computer-aided technologies==

NX 5 Multi-CAD digital mockup

NX 5 Simulation of airflow over an engine

CAx tools in the context of product lifecycle management

• Computer-aided design (CAD)
• Computer-aided architectural design (CAAD)
• Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD)
• Computer-aided electrical and electronic design (ECAD)
• Computer-aided industrial design (CAID)
• Computer-aided diagnostics (CAD/NDE)
• Computer-aided engineering (CAE)
• Computer-aided issue resolution (CAIR)
• Computer-aided manufacturing capability (CAMC)
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
• Computer-aided material information (CAMI)
• Computer-aided package selection (CAPS)
• Computer-aided process planning (CAPP)
• Computer-aided quality assurance (CAQ)
• Computer-aided reporting(CAR)
• Computer-aided requirements capture (CAR)
• Computer-aided rule definition (CARD)
• Computer-aided rule execution (CARE)
• Computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
• Component information system (CIS)
• Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
• computer numerical controlled (CNC)
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
• Coordinate-measuring machine (CMM)
• Electronic design automation (EDA)
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
• Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE)
• Manufacturing Process Management (MPM)
• Manufacturing process planning (MPP)
• Manufacturing resource planning (MRP)
• Product data management (PDM)
• Product lifecycle management (PLM)
• Reverse engineering (RE)

[edit] See also

• List of CAx companies

[edit] References