Innovation & world-class tools drive CAD & CFD facility at The NorthCap University

Planning and designing followed by visualisation of objects are the major focus of mechanical engineers. While producing components like engine cylinder, or maybe complete systems like an HVAC system, engineers need to make a design and then test by simulating the behaviour of their design. CAD is one of the most useful computerized engineering tools available to design and mechanically virtualize parts/products.  Computer-aided design (CAD) has now become indispensable to the engineering profession as a whole.

Why CAD & CFD?

There is a huge global demand for engineers who know CAD and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) because changing a real model is much expensive than quickly changing a computer-generated design or model. Thus, engineers using CAD and CFD tools stand a much better chance to end up with a more refined product. In fact, most of internal combustion engines from the last 10 to 15 years have been made with the help of CFD.

Work on 2-D and 3-D Modelling

The CAD Laboratory at The NorthCap University is a central facility available with the Mechanical Engineering Department (School of Engineering and Technology) wherein all the UG students, PG students and faculty can work with 2-D and 3-D design, modelling and analysis software. The university encourages students to learn, practice and develop new projects or progress in their research areas using various Computational tools available in this lab. The CAD lab provides a digitally integrated environment where the users can

• Draw/design and geometric model components using CAD software like Solid Works, AutoCAD
• Analyse, simulate and build components using tools like ANSYS, PyroSim, and MATLAB.
• Develop product prototypes using 3D printing

The Ultimaker 3-D Printer in the lab prints plastics based articles with close dimensions. It is very user friendly and convenient to use. CAD Lab has the latest high configuration workstations with software's installed like SOLIDWORKS, ANSYS etc.

Top Projects

Some of the ongoing/recent projects are listed below.

• Design and fabrication using a 3D printer of Obstacle avoiding robot, Ornithopter, Venturi meter, Bionic Arm, Universal Joint
• CFD analysis of atmospheric pollution dispersal, room fires, wind turbine
• Design, assembly, FEM: Structural analysis of various vehicles like GoKart, Electric solar vehicle.
• 3D interactive design and modelling of a building

ME department at The Northcap University supports the growth of students through professional certification programmes, value-added courses, industrial training and research. The innovative ideas and projects of students as an outcome of this lab have been promoted by NCU through awards and recognitions. Exposure through new CAD/CFD tools and technologies has secured many of the students' good placements.     

About the author

Dr Akanksha Mathur is an Assistant Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department of The NorthCap University. She has completed PhD from IIT Delhi.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha