Computer Aided Design (Cad) Technicians

Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technicians assist Industrial Designers and Engineers by using computers to design structures and materials that will be used in a new product. CAD/CAM are often linked together as part of an automated manufacturing and industrial design process.

What They Do:

CAD Technicians produce working drawings, such as schematics, process and instrumentation diagrams, lists of specifications and finished products. The computer helps the designers produce drawings and designs more quickly, accurately and cost effectively. The CAD technicians work at a specially designed and equipped interactive computer graphics workstation. The technicians are able to call up computer data files that hold information about a new product and use programs that convert that information into diagrams and drawings of the product. The diagram and drawings are displayed on a video-display screen, which then acts as an electronic drawing board.

 Skills:

Read and understand engineering drawings
Access and convert computer programs into diagrams and drawings
Manipulate information to get desired results
Concentrate on details
Visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings

Related Jobs:

Architects
Commercial Artists
Drafters
Interior Designers
Technical Illustrators

Education/Knowledge:

High School graduate
Drafting training from trade school, or
Associate's degree in drafting, or
Bachelor of Arts in industrial design
Training in CAD, engineering, mathematics, mechanical drawing, design and
computer programs with video-display equipment