Additional information available on the Computer Aided Drafting and Design - Mechanical Department website.
Recommended basic skills courses are
- College Readiness in English
- College Readiness for Quantitative Literacy
The Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) program prepares students to enter the workforce as a skilled CAD technician for who are equipped with a solid foundation for drafting positions in manufacturing, engineering, and other areas requiring production-ready drawings and 3-dimensional or 3D printed models. Students will learn to prepare 2D and 3D projects for fabrication using the latest releases of multiple CAD software. In addition, students will acquire skills in subject matter of design principles, industry standards, fabrication materials, manufacturing applications, tolerance methods and analysis, problem-solving techniques, and general organizational skills.
Career opportunities include drafting and engineering technician, project technician, design technician, draftsperson, and certified document technician. These career options play a critical role in product planning and the design of assembly parts and products which are to be fabricated and produced. With additional equipping and/or education, additional career options include mechanical engineer, commercial or industrial designer, civil engineer, product designer, and project designer.
Degree opportunities are:
CAD Mechanical Emphasis- this emphasis students are trained to be CAD technicians in manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, and other areas requiring production-ready drawings and solid 3-dimensional models. Assisting with the design of residential and commercial buildings in an architectural or construction office. Subject matter such as design principles, technical drawing, print reading, product documentation, and fabrication materials and methods are included.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program Computer Aided Drafting, Mechanical Emphasis degree program, students should be able to:
- Develop and produce a technical engineering assembly drawing applying current industry standards for manufacturing
- Analyze part function and relationship to each other including tolerance of parts for assemblies while calculating and applying mating part conditions for a guaranteed assembly fit
- Develop and produce rapid prototypes using additive manufacturing technology and appropriate 3D printing material
CAD Robotics and Automation Emphasis - this emphasis students are prepared for entry level careers as a CAD technician in the robotics and automation field. Graduates become qualifies to work in electronic automation and in control systems environments. Students in this program are trained on the principles behind robotic and automation technology while focusing on principles of robotics, design, programming, operation of robotic systems, and robotics system maintenance topics such as programmable logic controllers, sensors and transducers, and fundamentals of DC/AC.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program Computer Aided Drafting, Robotics & Automation Emphasis degree program, students should be able to:
- Interpret and produce industrial 2D working drawings and 3D models based on industry standards
- Use the SolidWorks software package to create advanced models, parts, assemblies, and related documents (e.g., bill of materials, parts lists)
- Produce parts and assemblies using additive manufacturing with 3D printing
- Construct, test, and troubleshoot electronic and digital circuits
- Solder electronic components on circuit boards
- Program, maintain, and troubleshoot robotic system
- Explain the architecture, hardware, programming languages, and input and output capabilities of microcontrollers
- Program a microcontroller to execute code
- Construct, test, and evaluate basic industrial control systems in robotic and automation technology
CAD HVAC Emphasis- this emphasis students are prepared for entry level careers as a CAD technician in the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration field. This field of work involves different trade disciplines in residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. This includes drafting technician positions in mechanical, electrical, and heating systems while learning basic refrigeration, fundamentals of gas heating, and electricity for HVAC systems for both residences, and large facilities.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program Computer Aided Drafting, HVAC Emphasis degree program, students should be able to:
- Interpret and produce industrial 2D working drawings and 3D models based on industry standards
- Use the SolidWorks software package to create advanced models, parts, assemblies, and related documents (e.g., bill of materials, parts lists)
- Explain basic theory and components of refrigeration systems
- Calculate current, voltage, and power in AC and DC circuits
- Apply computations of circuit analysis and troubleshooting with basic test equipment
- Discuss basics of gas heating systems, operation of gas valves and burners, to include gas pipe system design
- Apply basic code requirements for heating systems
- Examine the operation of hot water heating systems, to include installation, maintenance, and repair
Interested students should schedule appointments with CAD program advisor prior to enrolling. Students may address and complete prerequisite requirements with the beginning program courses. Students not meeting a course prerequisite must have prior permission in order to enroll in the course.
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