Mechanical Drafters
Mechanical drafters prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Mechanical drafters prepare layouts detailing a wide variety of machinery and mechanical tools.
Mechanical drafter jobs include developing detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls and produce three-dimensional models using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
They draw schematics to depict functional relationships of components, systems, and machines; modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies, and review and analyze specifications to assess factors affecting component designs.
CAD drafter jobs include designing scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items and mathematical computing formulas to design detailed specifications for components.
How to become a mechanical drafter? CAD drafter jobs require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree with previous work-related skills, knowledge, or experience. The required skills include active learning, critical thinking, mathematics, complex problem solving, coordination, judgement and decision making, operations analysis and social perceptiveness. Mechanical drafting requires knowledge of design, engineering and technology, mechanical, mathematics, physics, computers and electronics, and customer and personal relations.
CAD drafter jobs involve sitting most of the time, working on computers, spending time making repetitive moves, and are required to be precise or accurate. The entry- level mechanical drafter salary can vary on skills and experience earned.
A successful mechanical drafter can think creatively, analyze information, work with computers and create graphical representations, images or visual displays of equipment or systems.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- ITI Course Computer Aided Design
- Certificate MES in CAD Design
Tasks
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
- Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.
Progression Routes
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