Becoming a CAD monkey?
Discussion
I fancy a shift of direction, from oil and gas inspection and verification (interpreting drawings and models), to CAD monkey work, (creating drawings and models), probably in petrochemical/oil & gas/shipbuilding rather than architectural/civil. Some people would think it's a step down, but I love creating drawings and I don't particularly enjoy going offshore anymore.
Any advice? I already have an engineering degree, I'd like to stack a bunch of CAD qualifications on top and start at the bottom again. Are there even any full time CAD courses?
Is this even possible at 40? I fear I'll be the oldest person applying for 'Junior CAD technician' entry positions in the UK.....
Cheers.
Any advice? I already have an engineering degree, I'd like to stack a bunch of CAD qualifications on top and start at the bottom again. Are there even any full time CAD courses?
Is this even possible at 40? I fear I'll be the oldest person applying for 'Junior CAD technician' entry positions in the UK.....
Cheers.
Edited by sooperscoop on Tuesday 21st February 18:44
Speaking as someone who is interviewing others nowadays for this sort of role, well we did yesterday, again tomorrow and on Friday - we take no notice at all of CAD qualifications. This doesn’t mean others don’t. I also have a work colleague who teaches AutoCAD at night school. From what he tells us about his students, this makes me believe that those initial thoughts on CAD qualifications aren’t too far off the mark. If I were you, I would get a student CAD license, a dummies book on said CAD system and gradually build my skills up. My 25 years in engineering indicates that CAD training still doesn’t teach people to:-
Model properly
Model economically
And last but certainly not least - create DECENT engineering drawings.
There are fulltime CAD courses here in the UK, but they are meant for the unemployed, and usually attract a less then totally serious student, which does seem a waste to me.
If you want any more info drop me a PM - Here to help
the real buggar of a question though is which CAD system?
Model properly
Model economically
And last but certainly not least - create DECENT engineering drawings.
There are fulltime CAD courses here in the UK, but they are meant for the unemployed, and usually attract a less then totally serious student, which does seem a waste to me.
If you want any more info drop me a PM - Here to help
the real buggar of a question though is which CAD system?
bucksmanuk said:
Speaking as someone who is interviewing others nowadays for this sort of role, well we did yesterday, again tomorrow and on Friday - we take no notice at all of CAD qualifications. This doesn’t mean others don’t. I also have a work colleague who teaches AutoCAD at night school. From what he tells us about his students, this makes me believe that those initial thoughts on CAD qualifications aren’t too far off the mark. If I were you, I would get a student CAD license, a dummies book on said CAD system and gradually build my skills up. My 25 years in engineering indicates that CAD training still doesn’t teach people to:-
Model properly
Model economically
And last but certainly not least - create DECENT engineering drawings.
There are fulltime CAD courses here in the UK, but they are meant for the unemployed, and usually attract a less then totally serious student, which does seem a waste to me.
If you want any more info drop me a PM - Here to help
the real buggar of a question though is which CAD system?
That is some great advice.Model properly
Model economically
And last but certainly not least - create DECENT engineering drawings.
There are fulltime CAD courses here in the UK, but they are meant for the unemployed, and usually attract a less then totally serious student, which does seem a waste to me.
If you want any more info drop me a PM - Here to help
the real buggar of a question though is which CAD system?
OP, I doubt your age will be a barrier if you are willing to start at the bottom. I trained with guys older!
If you want any specific advice (from an oil & gas structural designer) then shoot.
P.S. the system you want to get into is PDMS, if you are good at your chosen trade then you can work all over the world.
+1 good advice.
I come from a CAD background and AutoCAD qualifications are a bit crap (I say this despite having a C&G in 3D design). These kinds of courses are ok if you're only ever going to use AutoCAD but the decent work involves using proper parametric packages. I learnt Mechanical Desktop myself initially but then moved to IDEAS and went on umpteen 5 day courses. I never got on to CATIA but this is the industry standard for most aerospace companies in the UK (that I've come across anyway). For oil/gas/marine I don't know but it's well worth getting a student version and getting some time at home. I spent ages either at home or after hours (unpaid) at work learning my way round packages so that I could use them properly in anger. This is probably the best way to learn and to give you the best chance of jumping into a job.
Aside from the CAD basics you'll probably need some sort of bible like Machinery's Handbook to give you a wide info base that will help with the design work. Things like tolerances, clearances, dimensioning and symbols etc. I did a lot of tech drawing back in the days of pencils/A1 sheets of paper so know how to properly present a drawing but you'll need to learn this from somewhere so that your drawings are easy to read to machinists and other engineers i.e. stress, manufacture etc. I was never the best draughtsman but it amazes me how many drawings I see that are a complete mess. Not just the basic arrows out of proportion etc. but poor clarity of dimensioning, sections and other features that make reading very simple. Personally the art of being a good draughtsman is the ability to present complex detail in a clear/simple way that anyone can read but guess everyone has a different idea.
Best of luck with it and you're never too old. Your degree and experience should stand you in good stead, providing you're keen to adapt.
I come from a CAD background and AutoCAD qualifications are a bit crap (I say this despite having a C&G in 3D design). These kinds of courses are ok if you're only ever going to use AutoCAD but the decent work involves using proper parametric packages. I learnt Mechanical Desktop myself initially but then moved to IDEAS and went on umpteen 5 day courses. I never got on to CATIA but this is the industry standard for most aerospace companies in the UK (that I've come across anyway). For oil/gas/marine I don't know but it's well worth getting a student version and getting some time at home. I spent ages either at home or after hours (unpaid) at work learning my way round packages so that I could use them properly in anger. This is probably the best way to learn and to give you the best chance of jumping into a job.
Aside from the CAD basics you'll probably need some sort of bible like Machinery's Handbook to give you a wide info base that will help with the design work. Things like tolerances, clearances, dimensioning and symbols etc. I did a lot of tech drawing back in the days of pencils/A1 sheets of paper so know how to properly present a drawing but you'll need to learn this from somewhere so that your drawings are easy to read to machinists and other engineers i.e. stress, manufacture etc. I was never the best draughtsman but it amazes me how many drawings I see that are a complete mess. Not just the basic arrows out of proportion etc. but poor clarity of dimensioning, sections and other features that make reading very simple. Personally the art of being a good draughtsman is the ability to present complex detail in a clear/simple way that anyone can read but guess everyone has a different idea.
Best of luck with it and you're never too old. Your degree and experience should stand you in good stead, providing you're keen to adapt.
I'm 26, had 3 jobs since Uni which revolved around engineering dealing on CAD systems.
IMO there's a vast difference between people who can make pretty models that spin and whizz about - and people who use CAD as a tool to design.
I am striving to be the latter - I think I'm good, but I obviously want to be better and it's a job I enjoy.
I'd say - CAD is a tool used be people doing a job. Not a job in itself...
Finally - understanding the theory and purpose is more important than knowing a specific bit of software. Parametric modelling, efficient, clear drawing, standards etc - how your work affect everything that follows from the buyers of the parts, the manufacturers, the people selling your parts and the people dealing with aftermarket - all sorts.
I find it really satisfying to come up with solutions to problems and to then be able to walk onto our factory floor the next week and see my parts being used on the line, and going out onto the road.
I'll add in any more detail about what I do and what I've done in previous jobs, if it helps?
IMO there's a vast difference between people who can make pretty models that spin and whizz about - and people who use CAD as a tool to design.
I am striving to be the latter - I think I'm good, but I obviously want to be better and it's a job I enjoy.
I'd say - CAD is a tool used be people doing a job. Not a job in itself...
Finally - understanding the theory and purpose is more important than knowing a specific bit of software. Parametric modelling, efficient, clear drawing, standards etc - how your work affect everything that follows from the buyers of the parts, the manufacturers, the people selling your parts and the people dealing with aftermarket - all sorts.
I find it really satisfying to come up with solutions to problems and to then be able to walk onto our factory floor the next week and see my parts being used on the line, and going out onto the road.
I'll add in any more detail about what I do and what I've done in previous jobs, if it helps?
I would hope with your experience that anyone in your industry would take you on, and train you in CAD - after all, its just a computer program.
What counts is your knowledge of the things you want to draw.
The best cad operators i've trained are experienced makers/builders of the things I design.
Do bear in mind though, its probably 8 hours a day sat on your arse in front of a telly.
Regards
Slyjoe - Catia CAD Monkey for 18 odd years.
What counts is your knowledge of the things you want to draw.
The best cad operators i've trained are experienced makers/builders of the things I design.
Do bear in mind though, its probably 8 hours a day sat on your arse in front of a telly.
Regards
Slyjoe - Catia CAD Monkey for 18 odd years.
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