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CAD/DESIGN
Overview
Drafters make detailed drawings of objects that will be manufactured or
built. Drafters prepare technical drawings. Production and construction
workers follow these drawings to build everything from radios to office
buildings. These drawings show the technical details of the products and
structures from all sides. They also include exact dimensions, specific
materials to be used, and procedures to be followed.
Programs
Drafters meet with engineers, architects, and other people who need the
technical drawings. From these meetings, drafters learn details about the
project or item that will be built. Drafters may receive calculations and
rough drawings from clients at these meetings. Drafters take the rough
information and turn it into sketches or scale drawings. They use their
own knowledge of the field to fill in some of the details on drawings. For
example, they use their knowledge of building techniques to draw in the
details of a structure. They also refer to technical handbooks and tables
for this information. Drafters may create several different versions of a
drawing. Each version reflects a different manufacturing or construction
approach.
Several drafters may work on drawings for the same project. Thus, some
drafters may coordinate the work of other drafters.
In the past, drafters sat at drawing boards. They used compasses,
dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices to prepare
drawings. Now, most drafters use computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems.
Because the drawings are stored electronically, these systems make it easy
to prepare many variations of a design. However, some drafting is still
done manually.
Many drafters specialize in one area. For example, architectural drafters
draw features of buildings and other structures. Aeronautical drafters
prepare drawings of aircraft and missiles. Civil drafters prepare drawings
and maps of highways, pipelines, and water systems. Electrical drafters
draw wiring and layout diagrams. These are used by workers who install and
repair electrical equipment and wiring in buildings. Electronic drafters
draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout
drawings. These are used by workers who assemble, install, and repair
electronic equipment. Mechanical drafters make detailed drawings of
machinery and mechanical devices.
Work
Activities
The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.
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Confer with
engineers, surveyors, and architects to learn more about the item or
structure to be drawn.
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Use drafting
tools and computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems to prepare technical
drawings of items.
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Specify in
drawings which materials are to be used.
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Refer to
technical handbooks and tables for some information.
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Provide
variations of designs for different construction circumstances.
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May
coordinate the work and activities of other drafters and designers.
People in this
career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to
many occupations.
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Draft, lay
out, and specify technical devices, parts, and equipment.
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Get
information needed to do the job.
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Analyze and
process data or information.
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Identify
objects, actions, and events.
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Estimate the
characteristics of materials, products, and information.
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Handle and
move objects, such as protractors and compasses.
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Interact
with computers.
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Implement
ideas, programs, systems, or products.
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Document and
record information.
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Inspect
equipment, structures, and materials.
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Evaluate
information against standards.
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Communicate
with coworkers and subordinates.
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Make
decisions and solve problems.
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Think
creatively.
Working
Conditions
In a typical work setting, people in this career:
Interpersonal
Relationships
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Provide an
important service to others.
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Have a
medium level of job-required social interaction. Drafters work with
customers and coworkers.
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Supervise,
train, or develop other employees, if they are supervisors.
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Are
responsible for the work done by the drafters they supervise.
Physical Work
Conditions
Work
Performance
Hours/Travel
Physical
Demands
People in this
career frequently:
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Use hands to
handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
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Sit for long
periods of time.
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Stand while
touring buildings similar to those they will draw.
It is important
for people in this career to be able to:
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See details
of objects that are less than a few feet away.
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Hold the arm
and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
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Use hands or
fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
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Make fast,
simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
It is not as
important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:
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Speak
clearly so listeners can understand.
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See
differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
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Make quick,
precise adjustments to machine controls.
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Use stomach
and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without
getting tired.
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See details
of objects that are more than a few feet away.
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Recognize
and understand the speech of another person.
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Determine
the distance between objects.
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Bend,
stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs.
Skills
& abilities
People in this career need to:
Communicate
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Read and
understand work-related materials.
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Express
ideas clearly when speaking and writing so that others understand
information.
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Understand
spoken information by listening to others and asking questions.
Reason and
Problem Solve
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Identify
problems and review information. Analyze choices and apply solutions.
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Analyze
ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
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Determine
how a system should work and how changes in conditions will affect
outcomes.
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Follow
guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
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Use
reasoning to discover answers to problems.
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Judge the
costs and benefits of a possible action.
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Understand
new information or materials by studying and working with them.
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Combine
several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
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Notice when
something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
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Identify
measures of system performance and the actions needed to improve
performance.
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Think of new
ideas about a topic.
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Make sense
of information that seems without meaning or organization.
Use Math and
Science
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Use math
skills to solve problems.
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Add,
subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
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Use
scientific methods to solve problems.
Manage
Oneself, People, Time and Things
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Check how
well one is learning or doing something.
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Manage the
time of self and others.
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Obtain
needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.
Work with
People
Work with
Things
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Analyze
needs and requirements when designing products.
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Test and
inspect products, services, or processes. Evaluate quality or
performance.
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Determine
the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
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Design
equipment and technology to meet user needs.
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Write
computer programs.
Perceive and
Visualize
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Imagine how
something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
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Know one's
location in a physical setting and recognize where other objects are
located in relation to oneself.
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Quickly and
accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
Knowledge
Peo ple in this career need knowledge in the following areas:
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Design:
Knowledge of making and using plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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Engineering
and Technology: Knowledge of how to build machines, buildings, and
other things. Also includes knowledge of how to use computers,
machines, and tools to do work more usefully.
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Mathematics:
Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
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Computers
and Electronics: Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
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Physics:
Knowledge of the features and rules of matter and energy. Areas of
knowledge include air, water, light, heat, weather, and other natural
events.
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English
Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English
language.
Interests
People in this career are people who tend to:
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Consider
achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and
to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of
accomplishment from their work.
-
Consider
good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady
employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their
individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks,
working alone, or being busy all the time.
-
Consider
relationships important. They like to work in a friendly,
non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people.
They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go
against their sense of right and wrong.
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Have
realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical,
hands-on problems and solutions.
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Have
conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set
procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and
detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority
to follow.
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H ave
investigative interests. They like work activities that have to do
with ideas and thinking. They like to search for facts and figure
out solutions to problems mentally.
Preparation
Drafters learn their skills at colleges and universities. Drafters can
train for this occupation through two-year junior college programs or
four-year technical university programs. These programs offer training in
drafting, CAD technology, and traditional technical drawing methods.
High school students interested in this occupation should take as many
classes as possible in math, especially algebra, geometry, and
trigonometry. Drafting and mechanical drawing classes provide a good
educational background. Classes in art, woodshop, and computers are also
recommended for students who are interested in this occupation.
Licensing requirements
No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career
Certification is voluntary. However, certification is a sign that a
drafter has achieved a specific skill level. For more information about
certification, contact:
American Design Drafting Association
PO Box 11937
Columbia, SC 29211
Phone: 803.771.0008
Fax: 803.771.4272
http://www.adda.org
Wages
In Minnesota, the median wage for drafters is $27.31 per hour. Half of all
drafters earn between $16.00 and $28.44 per hour.
Wages vary by area of specialization. Drafters who work full time usually
receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.
Nationally, 49,300 drafters work in this small occupation.
Major employer:
Engineering and architectural firms
Outlook
In Minnesota, the employment for drafters is expected to grow more slowly
than average for all occupations through the year 2014.
Nationally, the number of jobs for drafters is expected to increase as
fast as average through 2014.
As architects and engineers become more familiar with CAD programs, less
work will be given to drafters. However, jobs will become available as
current drafters retire or transfer to other occupations.
Advancement Opportunities
Drafters who gain experience and knowledge may become design drafters or
senior drafters. With additional training or experience, drafters may also
move into related positions, such as technical writer, sales engineer, or
engineering assistant.
Page
last updated in August, 2007.
Source: Minnesota
Department of Children, Families & Learning (MCIS) Minnesota
Career Information System
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