Certificate Program -- 18 Semester Credits18 Weeks -- 540 Clock Hours -- Cost $6500
It would be difficult to name an industry that does not use drawings. These drawings may be in the form of conventional production drawings, instructional booklets, charts, graphs, or maps. It typically takes more than 27,000 drawings to manufacture an automobile. The field of drafting provides employment for over one million men and women. The work of other millions requires them to be able to read and interpret drawings. Job titles and duties will vary from one company to another. However, the following drafting occupations are typical of those found in industry to make working plans and detailed drawings. They prepare them from specifications and information received verbally, from sketches, and from notes. The drafter usually starts out as a trainee drafter where he or she redraws or repairs damaged drawings. The trainee may revise engineering drawings or make simple detail drawings under the direct supervision of a senior drafter. During the training period, trainee drafters are enrolled in formal classes such as CADD, mathematics, electronics, or the manufacturing process. These classes may be held within the company or at a local technical school or community college. Upon completion of the training period, the trainee drafter usually advances to junior drafter. Similar positions are known as: detailer, detail drafter, and assistant drafter.
A junior drafter calls for the preparation of detail and working drawings of machine parts, electrical/electronic devices, or structures, from rough design drawings. It may also require preparation of simple assembly drawings, charts, or graphs. The junior drafter must be able to prepare simple calculations made according to establish drafting room procedures.
The drafter applies independent judgment in the preparation of original layouts with intricate details. He or she must have an understanding of machine shop practices, the proper use of materials, and be able to make extensive us of reference books and handbooks. With experience, the drafter will become a senior drafter and be expected to do complex original work. In time, the senior drafter can become a lead drafter or chief drafter. Such a person is responsible for all work done by the department.
Most drafters specialize in a particular field of technical drawing: aerospace, architectural, structural, etc. Regardless of the field of specialization, drafters should be able to draw rapidly and accurately. A few job titles include CAD drafter, CAD/CAM specialist, computer graphics specialist and computer graphics technician. These specialists seldom prepare drawings manually on “the board.” Instead, their “drawings” are computer-generated with hard (paper) copy produced on a plotter or printer. All drafters must have a thorough understanding of mathematics, science, materials, and manufacturing processes in their areas of specialization. The student must have a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
Program Description
Basic Drafting Principles:
It is essential the student learn the use of different line types and their meaning well as understanding the concept of multi-views and dimensioning and learning to read engineering and architectural scales.
Basic Computer Skills:
The basic understanding of computers and how they work helps the student to eliminate any fears of using a computer. This prepares the student for basic Windows operating skills. The understanding of computer terminology will aid the student in learning new software as well as purchasing computer equipment.
Word Processing:
The student will learn the basic fundamentals of word processing in order to prepare a Word document and learn how to edit that document.
Basic AutoCAD Skills:
Basic AutoCAD skills, such as drawing tools, setting up a drawing, isometric sketching, basic editing, and dimensioning will be applied.
Geometric Construction:
Geometric construction is designed to help the student understand the concepts of geometry as related to computer aided drafting. It is important to understand how AutoCAD performs and solves complex mathmatical equations as well as draws.
Production Drafting:
The student will prepare detailed working drawings of machine parts and simple assembly drawings.
Electronics:
The student will learn electrical symbols and abbreviations and prepare single-line diagrams and electrical drawings.
Architectural Drafting:
The students will learn architectural and structural features as applied to residential and commercial building design.
Civil Drafting:
The student will prepare grading, street, sewer, and water construction plans as applied to the subdivision process.
Survey Drafting:
The student will prepare topographical surveys and record mapping.
Site Planning and Community Development:
The student will learn the fundamentals of site planning and community development, irregation and landscaping.
Pipe Drafting:
Students will learn the process of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems. The student will prepare 2-dimensional well as 3-Dimensional pipe plans.
