We often hear about how engineering and architectural projects use CAD – computer-aided design – to help with product and building design. It involves the use of computers and design software to help with the design and analysis of creations. CAD technology can help to optimise and modify a creation easily and quickly, as well as give customers the ability to visualise their project in a 2D or 3D form.

CAD technology is often used across a whole range of different industries, from architects and engineers to graphic designers, interior designers, and conversion specialists!

It can help designers to create accurate technical drawings and designs, with the correct angles, dimensions, and curves. It also allows them to modify their drawings without having to re-do the whole drawing as it would be if they had drawn it by hand.

The Benefits of Computer-Aided Design

There are many reasons why designers use computer-aided design. Some of these include:

• It can help to increase productivity as it can save time compared to drawing everything by hand. Details can also be changed at a click of a button instead of drawing the whole sketch out again.
• A CAD drawing can be a lot clearer than a hand-drawn picture, creating a higher quality of design.
• Often a design project will have several people working on it. Without CAD, it can be time-consuming to bring together everybody’s separate ideas and put them into a final document. With the technology, however, several team members can work on the project simultaneously. This not only saves money but also time.
• Using CAD helps to reduce the need for prototypes to be made, saving time and money. They can be used to analyse mechanics, airflow, pressure, water flow, and other aspects of a design.
• With all of these aspects, CAD technology can help to reduce the time spent on a project, make better use of resources, which will, ultimately, result in a lower cost and higher quality for the customer.

Using CAD for Conversions

We are seeing more and more people using shipping units as a construction material in themselves to be converted into constructions such as offices, plant rooms, or bars and cafés.

These are the large metal boxes that are usually seen on cargo ships, trains, and on the back of lorries. They are strong and sturdy and can be used effectively as building blocks. Whether you are looking for a small building the size of one shipping container or are looking to join several together to form a new construction, computer-aided design technology can be highly useful.

Our specialist design team uses CAD to help to deliver high-quality, timely conversion projects.

Not only do they use the CAD for the actual design of the construction, but they also use it to show our customers 3D models of exactly how their finished project will look, collaborating with the rest of the team, and also using it to make small changes according to our customer’s wishes.

The Design and Fabrication Process

When you convert a standard unit into the construction of your choice, the process is simple. You should have a broad idea of how you want your construction to look, what it will be used for, and where you want it to go.

You can then discuss the project with our specialist design team who will listen to your ideas and help to come up with a definitive design. You will be allocated an account manager who will oversee the project from start to finish and act as a point of reference for you.

The finished design is then passed over to the fabrication team who work to bring the design to life, creating the real-life conversion to be exactly the same as the one on the finished design, in intricate detail.

One of the best things about converting a shipping container is that most of the fabrication process is done in the manufacturing facility. This can save time, money, and materials, as well as hard work for you!

Once that the conversion is completed, it will be delivered to the site that you have stipulated and unloaded, almost ready to go!

Computer-aided design technology has been a game-changer in the way that architects and designers work today. It has meant that not only are drawings more accurate and easy to collaborate on but also that the whole process is quicker and more streamlined. This, in turn, has made it become much more affordable for everyone.