CAD / CAM Wins Bid to Provide High-Accuracy CAD Scanning Services to Tinker Air Force Base

Proprietary Electronic Calibration Method Provides Digital Files

 with Boeing-Certifiable Tolerance for Aircraft Drawings

We’ve been very busy here at CAD / CAM Services, Inc.  As one of only a few companies in the world who is certified for Department of Defense  large format scanning and CAD conversion work, we were  recently awarded a $1,400,000 contract by Tinker Air Force Base to scan 45,000 aircraft drawings dating from the 1950’s to the present day.  We started the project in September and we expect to deliver 2,000 calibrated images each month via a secure FTP site.  A local scanning office that is close to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma will be doing the scanning  

The Tinker Air Force project requires a tolerance of +/-.005” accuracy over any five- or ten-inch area for the digital scanned files.   The drawings are on Mylar, which is a plastic sheeting material that may be affected over the years by changes in temperature.  This means that the older drawings may have stretched or otherwise changed in size, affecting the accuracy of the drawing itself. 

CadCam Services has a proprietary method that electronically compensates for error within each five- or ten-inches to restore original drawing accuracy.  This is a Boeing and Lockheed certifiable tolerance for aircraft drawings.   We’re one of only a few firms world-wide who is able to generate calibrated digital files of this accuracy.   Our approach is unique and it enables us to specialize in tough jobs like this. “

Frank Maschino, Engineering Data Manager, at Tinker Air Force Base told us that, “The accuracy of the final digital file is of paramount importance to us.  These digital files are stored in Tinker Air Force Base’s electronic repository as a permanent archive for all of our drawings.   If we need to refer to these digital drawings, or print out a new paper drawing, it is essential that the measurements be as accurate as, if not better than the original Mylar drawing when it was new.”

We beat our competition with this unique process, which is not only more accurate, but also one-half of the cost of other methods. 

If you have a backfile conversion project, contact us for a price quote.

Should You Outsource Your CAD Conversion Project?

The other day, I had someone ask me whether he should outsource his company’s cad conversion project, or do it in-house.

That was a really easy question to answer.  But first, I asked him some questions:

Do you have the scanning equipment in-house?  The answer was “No.”

“So,” I said,”If you do your project in-house, first you’ll have to make the capital investment to purchase the scanning equipment.”

He agreed that he’d have to do that.

Then, I asked if he had professionals in-house who were able to do the scanning and then work with the scanned files to clean them up and convert them into the CAD program he wants to use.   

Unfortunately, he didn’t, so, in addition to capital equipment expense, he’d also have to increase his overhead with one or two new employees. 

Well, it wasn’t long into this question and answer session, before he began to see the wisdom of outsourcing. 

Then he wanted to know how to pick a firm to do the outsourcing.  I recommended the following points: 

The firm you choose should be Experienced and Professional.  Cad / Cam Services has over 20 years experience in all phases of CAD outsourcing in the architectural, engineering and building industries.  

The work they do should be High Quality.  Cad / Cam Services work is so accurate that we are one of only six firms in the world that is qualified and certified for U.S. Department of Defense scanning and cad conversion work.  

You should check the turn-around time.  Do they offer Fast Service?  At Cad / Cam Services,  we offer 48 hour turnaround on small jobs (fewer than 5 drawings) and we’re equipped to handle rush jobs.  We’re fast on large jobs, too, and we’ll give you an estimated delivery date.

Find out if the conversion shop has job-size limitations.  For instance, with Cad / Cam Services, No job is to big or too small – we handle all jobs, from the largest to the smallest with the same attention to detail and accuracy. 

What’s it going to cost?  At Cad / Cam Services, we have Great Prices because when you deal with us, you’re dealing directly with the conversion shop that does the work, so there’s no middle-man price mark-up.

Finally, find out if they guarantee their work.  At Cad / Cam Services, we offer a No Hassle Guarantee – your work will be CAD Perfect, period. If you’re not completely satisfied, we’ll fix it within 24 hours at no additional cost. If you are not 100% satisfied with us, we will credit your account or refund your money. No hassles, no debate. 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!

CAD Translations

What is a CAD translation, and how does that differ from Raster to Vector conversion? 

As discussed in our previous blog, raster to vector conversion means taking a scanned raster file, and changing it to a vector file.  However a CAD translation means taking a vector file that is in one format, usable in a particular CAD software application, and changing it, into another vector file that is in a different format, and understandable by a different software application.  In this regard it is similar to translating a document in one language, for instance German, into another language, for instance English. 

Doing CAD translations requires technicians who are fully trained in various sophisticated CAD software packages, and who are able to make the corrections that need to be made when going from one software package to another.  If we continue our analogy from the previous paragraph about translating from one language to another, we can compare to the fact that sometime a word in one language can have several different translations in another language, each with a slightly different meaning.  Only an expert linguist can choose the correct translation to convey the meaning intended in the original manuscript.   It is much the same with CAD translation…only a knowledgeable CAD technician can choose the right interpretation of the drawing in one CAD package to provide a reliable representation in another CAD package. 

We’ve done many successful CAD translations, for instance:

• Autodesk – AutoCAD (any release)
• Bentley – MicroStation Intergraph
• E.S.R.I. – ArcInfo
• IBM – Catia
• IBM – Cadam Pro E
• Computervision – CAD 4 & 5
• Unigraphic
• Autodesk – Step translations (Mechanical Desktop)
• Gerber
• Adobe – PDF
• In addition:  IGES, DXF, HP-GL2, HPGL

And, as we discussed in a previous blog, we support nearly any scanned raster file as well.  If you have specific questions about CAD translations, request information at our website www.cadcam.org

All About Raster to Vector Conversion

Hello out there.  It’s a new week, and we have the scanners warmed up, the technical guys and gals in front of their computers and we’re rolling.  I love coming to work!  Every day is different.  Every project brings new challenges. 

At the end of last week, I was talking to some folks about a CAD Conversion job they want done.  We were specifically discussing raster to vector conversion.  I thought that some of the questions that came up in our conversation would make for a good blog entry this week.  So…here goes…

What is raster to vector conversion?

According to Wikipedia, “vectorization refers to the process of converting raster graphics into vector graphics.”    In very simple terms, this means converting pixels, which are dots of color (raster) like this

 . . . . . . . . . . . into lines (vectors) like this __________.    When you enlarge a raster image, the dots or pixels begin to break apart, like this .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .  and you lose the clarity of the image.  (Think about enlarging a photo taken with your digital camera.  On the other hand, a vector image can be enlarged indefinitely without loss of integrity, like this________________________ because it is made of lines, arcs, polygons, etc. 

Why is this concept important?

When you design in CAD, (Computer Aided Design) you have to work with lines, just like you would draw with a pencil, if you were designing on paper.   Here are some sample AutoCAD files. 

How do you convert from raster to vector?

This is where the “magic” comes in, better known as experience and know-how.  CadCam Services uses many different conversion methods. We use CAD conversion products from, GTX, Hitachi, I/Vector, and Softelec.   In addition we have quite a few routines and conversion programs we’ve written ourselves.  Unfortunately we have found that one R/V conversion product does not fit all. It is not uncommon with 100 drawings, that 30% are converted via one (1) method, the next 40% are converted via a different method, and the remaining are hand redrawn. Please do not be mislead with R/V software vendors promising ‘automatic raster to vector conversion’. Simply put, it is not true. These products are tools – and only tools. They all help in our conversion process, but they are not the cure-alls they claim to be. We spend hours, and hours inside of your drawings to get them to be 100% correct.   

Next week, we’ll talk about CAD Translations.

Raster to Vector Conversion – Cad Conversion Tools

The process of converting raster graphics to vector graphics is known as vectorization. Raster to vector refers to the technology used in this conversion process. Raster to Vector conversion also known as R2V is used extensively in commercial and industrial applications and converts technical drawings, maps and other graphics from raster to vector formats providing easy archiving and quick access. Mapping and GIS data conversion are highly dependent on this application apart from architectural, construction, engineering, electrical and house plans.

When used in photography, vectorization changes the appearance of the photograph to resemble a painting or drawing. In geographic information systems (GIS) vectorization helps to create maps out of satellite or aerial images. In the field of graphics, this process assists in resizing without any change in the shape of the graph.

Why Vector Images have an Upper Hand

Raster images tend to lose their picture quality when enlarged. This is where vector images come in. A vector image can be easily resized without losing detail. Raster images are made up of pixels while vector images are comprised of lines and curves.

Vector images can be enlarged with smooth curves eliminating any jaggedness and loss of quality. They can be printed at any resolution or size.

Files of converted vector formats are compatible with popular applications such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, and many others. Once a raster image is converted to the vector format, it can be imported to a CAD application and further edited as per requirement. This is a simple method of converting paper-based drawings to CAD drawings for further editing and use.

The Raster to Vector Market Today

There are a number of converters in the market today that perform the task of converting raster images to vector. The raster to vector conversion application offered by Cad Cam services is way ahead of competition. Their Raster to Vector conversion (also known as R2V) provides a seamless blend of editing and conversion commands and converts architectural, mechanical and various technical drawings, maps, archive drawings, schematic diagrams photos and other types of line artwork from raster to different vector formats. Their raster to vector conversion services are used for logo vectorization, vector graphics, vector stencils, vector clipart and vector web icons.

Raster to Vector Conversion Services offered by CAD/CAM Services Inc.:

• Standalone Software – R2V 2.0 Desktop: Our easy-to-use standalone raster to vector product is a Windows-based application for raster-to-vector conversion making it easily accessible for end-users. R2V 2.0 Desktop can be downloaded directly from www.online-r2v.com to edit drawings without converting them to a CAD format. R2V Desktop, a completely automated application, can be used to update and convert graphic images to vector.

• Web Online Version – R2V 1.0 Web: The web version of Online-R2V can be used to upload scanned graphic images that can be easily converted to vector in just 48 hours. Our R2V Web requires no downloading! Simply upload the application through the Web and effortlessly convert raster images to vector. R2V Web enables unlimited number of raster files to be converted and allows updating, editing and digitizing scanned graphic images to vector automatically.

• Cad Perfect™ Services: Get clean, high quality and accurate Cad Perfect™ CAD files for only$125 per file! Within 48 hours of submitting scanned images, Perfect Cad files with real lines, arcs, circles and text as text, are delivered. Besides being a layered and easy-to-use process, CAD/CAM’s CAD Conversion process is a manual redrawing method.

For more information on raster to vector conversion log on to
www.online-r2v.com

CAD/CAM Services Inc – An Overview

“Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing” are often referred to as CAD/CAM. These revolutionary computer-based designing tools have been developed to assist architects, engineers and other professional designers to achieve better quality designs.

Texas based CAD CAM Services, Inc. is a global center of excellence for scanning and raster to vector conversion services. We are the pioneer in providing enterprise CAD conversion of complex raster images using advanced and upgraded scanning solutions.

CAD CAM Services is one of the few authorized CAD Conversion companies certified for Department of Defense CAD Conversion work in USA. We are highly capable of digitizing and converting from large format media, aperture cards, and films into Cad Perfect™ AutoCAD, MicroStation, D-Tools, ArcInfo, CATIA, or any other CAD systems as per your needs.
Our comprehensive raster to vector conversion application features practical tools that maintain high standards throughout the conversion process. With its unique CAD conversion applications, CAD CAM Services has been providing support for mechanical, architectural, engineering, commercial and 2D and 3D drawings for more than 20 years.

Why CAD conversion is in high demand?

Use of Raster to vector (R2V) for converting architectural, mechanical and various technical drawings, maps, archive drawings, schematic diagrams even photos and other types of line artwork from raster to different vector formats is a universal practice. The demand for superior quality vectorization of paper drawings is ever growing. At this point we bridge the gap between quality of demand and supply by taking up the challenge to deliver remarkable quality in a short span of time.

Benefits of Outsourcing CAD Conversion work:

•    Assured cost effective process
•    Provides the best quality products, services and team
•    Improves performance and quality
•    On time deliverables

Some of the CAD CAM services that we provide:

AutoCAD: We work on many different image formats likes PDF, TIFF, JPEG, GIF, IMG, PCX, PICT etc. AutoCAD services offer our clients cost-efficiency and quicker outputs. CAD CAM Services can successfully scan paper, aperture cards, film to AutoCAD, MicroStation, D-Tools, ArcInfo, Catia, and literally any CAD systems you have. We deliver CAD Perfect™ CAD drawings.

Scan to Print: Our scan to print, meets the Scanning, Copying and Printing needs of our customers. We help you manage, and electronically distribute wide format documents for technical and graphic arts solutions with a wide range of well-designed products like format copiers, scanners, printers and document imaging workflow software.

PlanRoom: Cad Cam Services provides a unique feature called PlanRoom, also known as The Repository®. This is a web based document imaging program that resides on your server and can be accessed at any time, any place where an internet connection is available.

Large Format Scanners: CAD CAM SERVICES offers the latest in large format scanners. These large format scanners support almost any raster file format including PDF, TIFF, JPEG, GIF, IMG, PCX, PICT etc.

CAD CAM Services is recognized for its detailed and dedicated approach to every CAD/CAM work. We emphasis on building a relationship with our clients through mutual trust, comfort & confidence that will help us achieve the desired results effortlessly. With CAD CAM Services, your AutoCAD projects are in expert hands. CAD CAM Services has maintained a team of hardcore professionals with extensive experience in designing to manufacturing to handling the most demanding customer requirements. The company offers affordable, efficient and cost effective CAD/CAM services worldwide.

For more information on our Scanning and Cad Conversion services visit www.cadcam.org and www.online-r2v.com