# Implementing CAD API Automated Processes in Engineering Design: A Case Study Approach
## 3 Methodology and System Architecture  
As part of this research, a structured methodology was developed and implemented with the objective of addressing inefficiencies and uncertainties in the technical documentation process through the use of the Autodesk Inventor API. The primary aim was to automate key aspects of the design and documentation workflow to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual workload, and minimize the likelihood of human error. The methodology was applied and evaluated within the context of a practical case study, drawing data from an actual manufacturing workshop. Initial analysis focused on identifying recurring bottlenecks and repetitive tasks--particularly those related to CAD file creation, documentation, and information management--that were prone to error and consumed substantial engineering time. Based on the frequency of these tasks, their criticality, and their potential for potential automation, specific processes were selected, including part file generation, folder structuring, manufacturing drawing creation, and centralized data archiving. Following problem identification and process selection, automation development was carried out using the Autodesk Inventor API, employing a modular and scalable code structure written in VBA. A user-centric interface was designed through interactive forms to facilitate seamless data input and ensure completeness and consistency of user-provided information. The implementation adopted an iterative development model, utilizing turbocharger parts--chosen for their complexity and documentation demands--as test cases to improve and validate the approach. Early prototypes were compiled in the workshop environment, and iterative feedback was used to enhance the system's robustness and functionality. As development progressed, advanced automation features, such as the automatic generation of manufacturing drawings, were incorporated. The final version of the code was deployed in the live production setting, offering a fully integrated, stable, and user-friendly solution within the CAD environment. The result was a significant cut-off in documentation time and an improvement in accuracy, aligning with the research goals of enhancing productivity and traceability in engineering workflows. In this context, three main combined methodologies are proposed: reverse engineering, manufacturing, and quality control, following the specified order depicted in Figure 2. The term 'final product' encompasses not only tangible items, such as a fully manufactured part, but also data-driven outputs, such as a manufacturing drawing from reverse engineering or a quality control inspection report. In real-world workshop settings, engineers are frequently confronted with a high volume of quotation requests, each requiring prompt and accurate assessment. To manage each case effectively, engineers must address several fundamental questions: Has the customer provided a demonstrator of the part to be manufactured? Is a metrological inspection sufficient for the supplied item? Should reverse engineering be performed, or are manufacturing documents already available? Answering these questions necessitates a precise and comprehensive data acquisition process. The requirement for traceability and thorough documentation remains constant, whether dealing with a small component for basic inspection or a complex assembly for large-scale production. A CAD model inherently encapsulates a significant  
Figure 2: Components of the processing chain. volume of information about a part or assembly, serving as the foundation for generating manufacturing drawings and bills of materials (BOMs), which subsequently initiate a series of downstream engineering procedures. The design engineer must either create or retrieve the appropriate CAD file, and if it does not exist, the prerequisite information must first be collected and securely stored.