CAD developments
CAD: from geometrical to functional modelling

The aim of CAD is to create a virtual model that behaves like a physical prototype. The object's properties must be entered into the computer, sometimes at the cost of numerous operations, and then exploited. In this way, CAD enables simulations to be carried out, which has always been its main purpose.

It would be nice if CAD could be used to design a technical object, but in most cases, the CAD operator has to start with the drawing phase and not with the functional aspect. Despite its fifty years of existence and its indisputable contributions, CAD still needs to progress. After a brief review of the development phases of model-based technology, we will focus on bringing CAD closer to the functionalities of the object to be designed, with particular reference to the contributions of knowledge, simulations and the necessary properties of models.