Fujitsu Limited and iCAD Limited today announced the development of the a computer aided design (CAD) engine, designed to be used as part of a 3D CAD system for designing machinery that is capable of processing data for one million parts in 0.2 seconds, in Japan.

The method typically used for representing 3D bodies on a computer is to split them into numerous small surfaces that approximate their intended shape. With large machinery, however, this greatly increases the volume of data that needs to be processed.

The new engine employs a new representation method that allows most of the parts of a machine to be precisely represented as mathematical expressions, making it possible to dramatically reduce the amount of memory required. This allows for a 200-fold increase in performance compared with the surface-approximation method.

The new engine features processing performance that is 200 times the speed of existing 3D CAD systems, giving it the power to process large-scale machinery with one million parts in only 0.2 seconds. Although the processing performance limitations of existing systems have traditionally forced engineers to design mechanical, electrical, and control systems using separate systems, the new engine enables the design of these elements to be consolidated into one system, streamlining the task of designing large-scale machinery.

In addition, the ability to share 3D data between departments, from design to manufacturing, prevents wasted effort and information discrepancies that can take place at each stage in the design process.

This engine is to be incorporated into iCAD V7, which Fujitsu plans to release at the end of 2010.