CAD in ASAP

CAD in ASAP

The term "CAD" means different things to different people. For example, the concept of mechanical design
to a mechanical designer is radically different from optical design to an optical designer, particularly in the
context of automated design and optimization. The purpose of this technical publication is to describe how
CAD is generally used in the optical design and analysis process, and specifically how it is used in ASAP™,
the Advanced Systems Analysis Program from Breault Research Organization (BRO).
The term Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a commonly recognized phrase in the engineering world. It is
difficult to imagine an engineering discipline in which some type of CAD tool is not used, even in the field
of optics. CAD has changed optical engineering development by reducing the need for prototype
engineering. End-to-end computer simulation of optical systems, from first-order to engineering design,
using geometrical ray tracing is now an accepted, accurate, and precise method for designing and analyzing
optical system performance before, during, and after product development. It is no longer cost or time
effective to create prototype after prototype to design a product.