CAD/Mechanical Design Technology
Martin Wolfe, Associate Professor/Coordinator, Welding
Office: (708) 709-7807
Lab: (708) 709-3691
Office: T-145
Lab: T-165
Email:mwolfe@prairiestate.edu
This program prepares students for careers as drafters, mechanical designers, and CAD technicians. Those employed in this profession prepare technical drawings and plans, which are used to build everything from manufactured products to structures. These drawings are instrumental to product and structure creation, providing the blueprint for the entire project.
Degrees and Certificates Please visit Career Programs and Transfer Degrees, where you will find information describing the requirements needed to complete a
degree or certificate.
Courses
View the curriculum for each program in the current Academic Catalog. You can also access the entire
catalog online. An archive of previous catalogs and addenda is also available.
A listing of course descriptions is available in the current Academic Catalog. For a listing of when courses are offered,
consult the current course schedule or WebAdvisor.
CAD Drafter Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as entry-level CAD drafters.
Students will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to produce drawings, diagrams,
charts, etc., using the Auto-CAD software. Hands-on experiences will include CAD system
operation, drawing set-up, original drawings, copy, and modification of existing drawings
and plotting.
Learning Objectives:
- Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of:
- The use of and functionality of AutoCAD software as a tool to draw, provide dimension and modify mechanical drawings
- The basic skills of detail drafting and the position requirements, responsibilities and skills of the detail draftsman
- The use of AutoCAD commands to create complex mechanical drawings
CAD/Mechanical Design Technician Certificate
This certificate program prepares students for entry-level positions in mechanical
drafting and CAD. The skills developed will enable the student to work as a drafter,
dealer, technical illustrator, and CAD operator.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- How to enter the AutoCAD software and appropriately configure the drawing environment
- Basic level manipulation and use of the AutoCAD software and support hardware
- How to apply practical skills in solving problems in statistics and strengths of materials
CAD Technician Certificate:
This program is designed to prepare students for a career as a CAD technician and
designer. It provides a concentrated exposure in computer-aided drafting and design.
This program is especially suitable for those currently employed in the field of mechanical
design to update their design skills in the context of CAD systems. Persons seeking
positions such as checker, layout designer, specifications writer, mechanical design
technician, and CAD technician or designer will benefit from this program.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- How to create highly sophisticated drawings by using advanced level commands
- How to create true 3-D and perspective models and the effective use of AutoCAD commands in AutoLisp
- Design concepts such as design automation and product design
CAD/Mechanical Design Technology AAS
This program prepares students for careers as drafters, mechanical designers, and
CAD technicians. Areas of potential employment include drafter, dealer, layout designer,
design technician, CAD operator, and CAD technician. The courses emphasize basic drafting
and drawing skills, design and analysis of mechanisms and mechanical parts, and the
use of CAD systems to draw, design, and analyze mechanical devices.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
1. The design process and the role of CAD in that process
2. Advanced printing and plotting rendered models
3. How to perform basic computations needed for mechanical design
4. Create highly sophisticated drawings by using advanced level commands
5. Customize the drawing environment to gain maximum efficiency
6. Create true 3-D and perspective models