When the PC (Personal Computer) was introduced in the late 1970s to early 1980s, the computing world witnessed progressive miniaturization of the PC into smartphones, laptops, and tablets that recently added to computerized watches. It comes with the availability of the internet along with cloud computing, which helps reduce computing power on individual computing devices.
Mobile CAD Computing
Additionally, packing computing power in a computing device access the computing power provided by servers, including distributed computing environment. Let’s say a consumer desktop or laptop isn’t suitable to run 3D CAD software. As CAD operations add complex computational procedures, it needs high performance using dedicated processors. Therefore, CAD workstations provide high-performance computational power adding snappy information that exchanges the networks in a cloud-based computing environment. A CAD engineer carries their workstation to meetings, design reviews, and business trips. All it requires is the mobility Mobile CAD Computing device, including:
- Get performance compares to that of a CAD workstation
- Get adequate graphics display size and resolution
- Get a power adapter adding necessary attachments packed into a bag transported over reasonably long walking distances.
The mobile CAD computing device is referred to as a mobile CAD workstation. To get an answer, understand the following questions:
- What are the capabilities of a typical mobile CAD workstation?
- What is a mobile CAD workstation that performs well traditional workstation?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile CAD workstations?
- What are the capabilities of a typical mobile CAD workstation?
Mobile CAD workstations available from CAD vendors covers high-performance mobile CAD workstation, including attributes:
- It adds a lightweight, portable workstation that covers low voltage CPU, adding long battery life.
- It should have a high-performance GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), including a high-resolution graphics display.
- It uses a high-capacity drive and DVD drive and covers USB ports.
- It uses an impractical list that adds popular mobile CAD workstations.
The features add a high-performance mobile CAD workstation. The Lenovo ThinkPad 541 offer a mobile CAD workstation along with providing these features:
- It comes with 5.57 pounds, uses 1-inch thickness, and comes with 6+ hours of battery life.
- It primarily uses the 4th generation i7 Extreme CPU and optional NVidia Quadra K2100M GPU. It also comes with 32 MB RAM.
- It uses 15.6-inch and 2880 x 120 high-resolution displays.
- It uses 500 GB hard drive storage for improved performance.
- It uses USB ports and an SD card reader.
- It provides HDMI video output.
- How does a mobile cad workstation perform as well as a traditional workstation?
The CAD analysts use the total CAD workstation market that comprises mobile and desktop workstations that continues to grow. Mobile CAD workstations come with the overall market. It adds mobile workstation sales that remain steady with 25% of the total workstation market.
A survey conducted by an industry research firm found that it grows mobile CAD workstations. This interest comes with declining desk-side PCs, consumers-class notebooks and workstations. Also, it finds several mobile CAD workstations that are used primarily for creating and editing CAD drawings. It uses accessing data and CAD drawings. Nevertheless, demands for mobile CAD workstations are expected to show strong growth in the next few years.
Before PCs became popular in the 1980s, most CAD workstations were RISC-based systems such as DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, and SPARC. Afterwards, CAD workstations used operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux distributions, Apple Mac OS X, and Oracle Solaris.
The features of a top-end high-performance CAD workstation include the following:
- High-performance processors from 4 to 18 cores, with base clock, speed up to 3.5 MHz, 2.5 MB core of last level cache, and DDR4 registered DIMM support for up to 32 GB of RAM.
- Graphics GPU with up to 12 GB of memory as in the NVidiaQuadro K6000 graphics card. A high-performance GPU is necessary for 3D animations and rendering. Investing in a high-performance processor for everyday CAD design work is more productive.
- Up to 24-inch LED display with a minimum high-level resolution of 1280 x 720. Typically, a top-performance workstation supports multiple displays.
- SSDs (Solid State Drives) instead of hard drives, or a combination of SSDs and hard drives.
- It points virtualisedCAD workstations that add a more productive CAD development environment. It relies on cloud computing, adding hardware virtualization. Virtualized workstations add cost-effectiveness in terms of hardware maintenance and upgrade cycles. It comes with a mobile CAD workstation which cannot compete with a top-end CAD workstation in terms of performance. It uses good economic sense by using a mobile workstation in that cloud-based distributed computing environment. It comes in an atmosphere of virtualized workstations.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING MOBILE CAD WORKSTATIONS?
A mobile CAD workstation cannot match the performance of a top-end high-performance desktop CAD workstation. However, interest is growing in mobile CAD workstations, while interest is declining for desk-side PCs, workstations, and consumer-class notebooks. Mobile CAD workstations offer an advantage over unmatched traditional CAD workstations. It’s worthwhile to list a few benefits. Along with a mobile workstation, it offers complimentary performance with a desktop CAD workstation that provides mobility.
Getting a mobile CAD workstation used for project managers and executives comes with a primary interest in viewing, accessing, data and reviewing CAD drawings rather than creating them. The mobile CAD workstation is mainly used in field operations, adding CAD engineers that require to access and view data and CAD drawings.
What is CAD in computing?
In computing, CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. CAD refers to the use of computer software and systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of designs, typically in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing industries. CAD software allows designers and engineers to create precise and detailed drawings, models, and plans in a digital format.
Key features and capabilities of CAD software include:
2D Drafting: CAD software enables the creation of 2D drawings, plans, and schematics with precise measurements and annotations.
3D Modeling: CAD software supports the creation of three-dimensional models of objects, buildings, or mechanical components. These models can be manipulated, viewed from different angles, and analyzed for various purposes.
Parametric Design: Many CAD tools offer parametric modeling capabilities, allowing designers to define parameters and constraints that govern the behavior and dimensions of the model. This facilitates iterative design processes and ensures design consistency.
Visualization: CAD software often includes rendering capabilities to generate realistic images or animations of designs. Visualization tools help stakeholders, clients, or project teams better understand the proposed designs.
Simulation and Analysis: Some CAD software integrates simulation and analysis tools for testing the performance, structural integrity, or functionality of designs under different conditions.
Collaboration: CAD systems may include features for collaboration and version control, enabling multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously and track changes made to designs.
What is mobile CAD?
Mobile CAD refers to computer-aided design (CAD) software applications that are specifically designed to run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. These mobile CAD apps allow users to create, view, edit, and share CAD drawings and models directly from their portable devices, offering flexibility and convenience for professionals who need to work on-the-go or in the field.
Key features and capabilities of mobile CAD apps include:
Drawing and Modeling: Mobile CAD apps provide tools for creating both 2D drawings and 3D models directly on the mobile device. Users can sketch, draw, and manipulate geometric shapes, lines, and curves using touch gestures.
Editing and Modification: Users can edit and modify existing CAD drawings and models, including changing dimensions, adding annotations, and applying transformations such as scaling, rotating, and mirroring.
File Compatibility: Mobile CAD apps support compatibility with standard CAD file formats such as DWG, DXF, and STL, allowing users to import and export drawings and models between mobile devices and desktop CAD software seamlessly.
Collaboration: Some mobile CAD apps include collaboration features that enable users to share drawings and models with colleagues or clients, collaborate in real-time, and provide feedback or annotations.
Integration with Cloud Services: Many mobile CAD apps integrate with cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, allowing users to store, access, and synchronize CAD files across multiple devices and platforms.
On-Site Use: Mobile CAD apps are particularly useful for professionals who need to work on-site, such as architects, engineers, construction managers, and surveyors. They can access and review CAD drawings and models directly at the project location, without the need for a desktop computer.