ICT in industry

Computer-aided design (CAD) is now common in industry. ICT is most often used in mass production, as computer control makes it possible to produce many identical items very quickly. But ICT is also useful in small batch and even one-off work, as computer control enables complicated shapes to be produced more accurately than by hand.

ICT in design

ICT can help with designing products in many ways:

• Drawings, graphics and diagrams can be produced and edited using graphics or design software.
• Writing and drawings can be combined using desk-top publishing (DTP) software.
• Pictures of existing products can be scanned and used in graphics, photo-editing or DTP software.
• Database packages can be used to record and analyse survey data.
• Spreadsheet software can be used to make Gantt or other planning charts, to produce graphs and charts, and to help with costing projects.

ICT in production

ICT can help with the making of products in the following ways:

• Shapes printed onto card can be used for templates.
• Text printed out can be glued onto sheet material and cut out.
• Machines for cutting card and self-adhesive vinyl sheet can be used to cut letters or shapes. Complicated shapes can be cut more easily by machine than by hand.
• Computer-controlled lathes can make a number of identical turned parts.
• Computer-controlled milling machines can cut out shapes more easily than by hand, especially recesses in materials. Complicated shapes can be cut more easily than by hand.
• Parts which have fine detail, or need to have accurately fitting parts, can be made more accurately than by hand or manual machine methods.