AutoCAD Computer-Aided Drafting

Drafting Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Job Highlights

  The type and quality of postsecondary drafting programs vary considerably; prospective students should be careful in selecting a program.
  Opportunities should be best for individuals who have at least 2 years of postsecondary training in drafting and considerable skill and experience using computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems.
  Demand for particular drafting specializations varies geographically, depending on the needs of local industry

Drafters
prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build everything from manufactured products, such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery, or spacecraft, to structures, such as houses, office buildings, or oil and gas pipelines. Their drawings provide visual guidelines, showing the technical details of the products and structures and specifying dimensions, materials to be used, and procedures and processes to be followed. Drafters fill in technical details, using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, they use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details of a structure. Some drafters use their knowledge of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine in order to determine design elements, such as the number and kind of fasteners needed to assemble it. They use technical Handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to do this.

Traditionally, drafters sat at drawing boards and used pencils, pens, compasses, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices to prepare a drawing manually. Most drafters now use computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. Consequently, some drafters are referred to as CAD operators. CAD systems employ computer workstations to create a drawing on a video screen. The drawings are stored electronically so that revisions or duplications can be made easily. These systems also permit drafters to easily and quickly prepare variations of a design. although drafters use CAD extensively, it is only a tool. Persons who produce technical drawings using CAD still function as drafters, and need the knowledge of traditional drafters—relating to drafting skills and standards—in addition to CAD skills. Despite the near-universal use of CAD systems, manual drafting still is used in certain applications.

Drafting work has many specialties, and titles may denote a particular discipline of design or drafting. Aeronautical drafters prepare engineering drawings detailing plans and specifications used for the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, and related parts.

Architectural drafters draw architectural and structural features of buildings and other structures. They may specialize by the type of structure, such as residential or commercial, or by the kind of material used, such as reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, or timber.

Civil drafters prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in major construction or civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewage systems.

Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical equipment and wiring in communication centers, powerplants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings.

Electronic drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuitboard assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components.

Mechanical drafters prepare detail and assembly drawings of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.

Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used for layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems.

The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) has established a certification program for drafters. although drafters usually are not required to be certified by employers, certification demonstrates that the understanding of nationally recognized practices and knowledge standards have been met. Individuals who wish to become certified must pass the Drafter Certification Test, which is administered periodically at ADDA-authorized test sites. Applicants are tested on their knowledge and understanding of basic drafting concepts such as geometric construction, working drawings, and architectural terms and standards.

International Academy of Design and Technology

• Sustainae Ablrchitectural Technician/Technologist
  International Academy of Design and Technology's new Sustainable Architecture - Technology/Technician program reflects these green imperatives. Program graduates can be among the leaders of a new generation of architectural technicians and technologists with the knowledge and skills to take environmental responsibility and sustainability beyond awareness and into action.

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International Academy of Design and Technology

ITT Technical Institute

• Computer Drafting and Design
  Drafting is a graphic language used by industry to communicate ideas and plans from the creative-design stage through production. Computer drafting and design is one way to produce drawings in all traditional design and drafting fields. This program combines wherever appropriate computer-aided drafting with conventional methods of graphic communication to solve drafting and basic design-related problems. The program will help graduates prepare to work in entry-level positions in many diverse areas of technical drafting and design. Students will be exposed to both classroom theory and laboratory projects. Students will be required to create a variety of drawings of various sizes on different drawing media and will use conventional as well as computer-aided drafting equipment. The goal of the Computer Drafting and Design program is to help the student acquire the skills to enter the workplace as a versatile draftsperson able to make basic design decisions and capable of meeting the challenges of future technological advances in the drafting and design profession.
  

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ICS Canada

• Drafting with AutoCAD
  Learn AutoCAD® and master the skills of computer-aided layout, architectural drawing, blueprint creation, and much more

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Precision Technical Institute

• Civil Drafting
  Civil Drafters work on land development and roadways; they prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in major construction or civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewage systems.
• Computer Aided Design Technician
  Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build everything from manufactured products, such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery, and spacecraft, to structures, such as houses, office buildings, and oil and gas pipelines. Traditionally, drafters sat at drawing boards and used pencils, pens, compasses, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices to prepare a drawing manually. Most drafters now use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) systems to prepare drawings. This is why drafters are referred to as CADD operators. And this is what you will be taught at PTI.
• Mechanical Drafting
  Mechanical Drafters produce manufacturing drawings: they prepare detail and assembly drawings of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.
• Structural Drafting
  Structural Drafters are very similar to Architectural Drafters, except they focus more on commercial buildings and steel structures. Structural Drafters work on major civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, parking facilities, and flood-control structures. The coursework includes civil drafting fundamentals, computer-aided design (CAD) training, modeling and animation, and surveying fundamentals. The job outlook for Structural Drafters is expected to remain good in the next decade, as major portions of American’s infrastructure need to be updated or replaced.

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Westwood College

• Associate - CAD - Architectural Drafting
  Students at Westwood College receive architectural drafting and AutoCAD training that is focused on helping prepare them for a career in computer-aided drafting. AutoCAD courses are taught with the most recent releases of the program so students get relevant training. Westwood College provides equipment that enhances students' drafting and AutoCAD courses. Each student's drafting station has a drafting table and chair. The CAD stations have a monitor, mouse and keyboard interfaced with a PC that is set up with the most recent release of AutoCAD. These workstations help to simulate a true work environment and will further prepare students for post-college jobs.
• Associate - CAD - Interior Finishes
  Westwood College's Interior Design degree program instructs students in aspects of the technical, creative and human factors of interior design. Students will build on a foundation of drawing, drafting, color, and basic design principles while learning about human factors, space planning, interior construction and detailing, safety and building codes, and computer-aided design (CAD).
• Associate - CAD - Mechanical Drafting
  The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - Mechanical Drafting program equips students with the skills necessary to become a skilled CAD operator. Mechanical Drafting students receive training on recent releases of AutoCAD, a popular CAD application that provides experience in developing technical drawings. Students learn to use CAD first through theory in a lecture setting, and then move on immediately to a lab environment to put the theories and principles into practice. Hands-on learning combine with an industry-experienced faculty ensures that graduates from Westwood College are prepared for the workforce.

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