CAD system use and engineering performance in mechanical design

Engineering is complex and communication-intensive work. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems can support engineering work at three levels: design, analysis, and communication. Seventy-five engineers in two gas turbine engine manufacturing companies were surveyed to understand the relationship between these three types of CAD use and engineering performance. The results show strong links between different types of CAD use: use for design enables use for analysis; three-dimensional design enables use for communication. Use of CAD communication features strongly relates to engineering performance. The results have implications for the design, implementation, management, and use of CAD systems.