Mar 29, 2024  
Course/Program Inventory 
    
Course/Program Inventory

Computer Aided Design Technology


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CIP Code:

09.15.1301.00

Program Description: 

Computer aided design drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers to build manufactured products; examples of these may include toys, appliances, industrial machinery, spacecraft, structures, home plans, office buildings, and oil and gas pipelines. Drawings provide visual guidelines showing the technical details of the products and structures, specifying dimensions, materials to be used, procedures and processes to be followed. Computer aided design drafters fill in technical details, using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. Some Computer aided design drafters use their knowledge of engineering, manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a mechanism to determine fit, form and function.

Traditionally, drafters sat at drawing boards and used pencils, pens, compasses, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices to prepare a drawing manually. Almost all Computer aided design drafters now use computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems to prepare drawings. 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 Computer aided design drafters to easily and quickly prepare variations of a design. Although Computer aided design drafters use CAD extensively, it is only a tool. Persons who produce technical drawings using CAD still designers or drafters, and need the knowledge of traditional drafting techniques-related 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 Computer aided design drafters prepare engineering drawings detailing plans and specifications used for the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, and related parts. 
  •  Architectural Computer aided design 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 Computer aided design 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 Computer aided design drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical equipment and wiring in communication centers, power plants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings. 
  •  Electronic Computer aided design drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuitboard assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components.
  •  Mechanical Computer aided design 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 Computer aided design drafters prepare drawings used for layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems.

Program Outcomes:   

At the completion of each diploma in Computer Aided Design Technology, graduates will be well-rounded, CAD Drafters with skills required to enter the workforce immediately.

Professional Accrediting Body:

American Design Drafting Association (ADDA), 105 East Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059. Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents and all are presently accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and are approved for federal financial aid.

Applicable Certification/License or Industry-recognized Certificates to Be Awarded:

It is recommended that each Drafting & CAD Technology program attain program certification or accreditation by a national organization, such as the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA), 105 East Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059.  They are encouraged to become authorized testing sites for administering the Certified Drafter Exam from ADDA or one of the Student Occupational Comprehensive Achievement Tests (SOCAT), from National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI), 500 N. Bronson, Big Rapids, MI, 49307.

Individual Certification

Students are encouraged to seek individual certification through the American Design Drafting Association or complete the SOCAT exam upon completion of any diploma level course.  Additional CAD certification is also encouraged for instructors and graduates.

Examples of certification include:

  •  Certified Drafter - The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) is a national non-profit organization.  The drafter certification exam enables individuals to prove their professional drafting capabilities.  Additional information including test sites can be found via the web at www.adda.org.
  •  SOCAT - The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) is a leading provider of occupational competency assessments and services.   Experienced Worker tests are designed to measure an individual’s knowledge of higher-level concepts, theories and applications in the related occupation.  These tests are used for evaluating individuals with a combination of education, training and work experience.  The Experienced Worker tests can be used for both education and business and industry applications.  For additional information visit www.nocti.org.
  •  AutoCAD Assessment Exam - AutoDESK is now delivering the user certification exams via the web.  Information concerning content and cost are available at www.autodesk.com or www.certiport.com
  •  Essential MicroStation Exam - A certification exam for MicroStation end users.  For more information visit www.bentley.com.
  •  SolidWorks Cerfification Exams - Certification exams for SolidWorks users.  For more information visit http://www.solidworks.com/

Internships / Cooperative Education

To enhance skilled laboratory training, cooperative education or internships may be included in the student’s training program.  All Cooperative Education through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology is in accordance with the TCAT’s Cooperative Education Handbook.

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