28/11/2018
How does one become an engineer? It is a question pointed by many curious minds wondering how to take a step onto the path of engineering. The rite of passage in becoming an engineer must be earned by taking an epic journey of discovery into the intricate fabrication of the world around us. It is not a job of profound glory; it is a duty of constructing and maintaining the stage for humanity to survive by. An engineering job done right goes nearly unnoticed - however, an engineering job gone wrong can and has led to unprecedented damage and unnecessary loss of human life.
Becoming an engineer means assuming on the responsibility of designing the world with features sometimes required to work without flaw, for many years to come. An engineer must be resourceful, forward-thinking, and always willing to learn more. The path of an engineer must begin somewhere, and while it is technically possible to become an engineer without a degree, for most, the path typically begins at University.
The Journey of Becoming an CAD Engineer
Taking the first step into engineering will require choosing the right engineering university and that can be a difficult decision in and of itself. But regardless of university selection, an engineer must come to learn and understand a few basic principles surrounding engineering and engineering design in order to integrate a solution into a real-world application.
The most important things an engineer must know and understand includes having a strong command of Computer Aided Design (CAD), an ability to program, and having a thorough understanding of Calculus principles. Of course, there is much more skill and knowledge an engineering student must learn before becoming a professional engineer. However, there are a few fundamental skill sets which every engineer should have entering the new world of engineering. To most, having a thorough understanding of CAD, programming, and Calculus will prove invaluable both while attending university and for post-graduate opportunities when the real-world engineering begins.
How to Make CAD Models?
An incredible revolution to modern engineering is certainly owed to computer science, specifically, CAD programs. The likes of AutoCAD, Catia, Creo Parametric, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, and more, has made engineering more accessible and manageable than ever. But what exactly is it?
CAD is often mistaken as a single design program when in reality, the process of CAD refers to any use of a computer program which supports the design process.
CAD software can be used to create circuit diagrams, prototypes, and simulations with high precision and at a fraction of the cost and the time it takes to manually design.
There is a range of CAD software programs available to select from, each with their own retrospective pros and cons. Many have a steep learning curve, however, in an engineering society driven by computers, it is more important than ever to learn CAD skills.
Many of the programs are incredibly expensive, but they do not have to be. There are a few programs which are excellent as a learning tool to begin exploring CAD.
Getting Started with CAD
While each program has a unique interface, operations, and abilities, nearly all CAD programs operate based on a few basic principles.
Sometimes, the most off-putting step can simply be getting a shape started. The programs are not so simple as to drag and drop shapes right after the program opens. The programs have to be set up correctly and instructed as to what is going to be created whether it be a sketch, assembly, or engineering drawing.
Typically, a sketch is a 2D drawing of a shape which can be extruded into three dimensions. An assembly is where multiple parts can be assembled and simulated together. Drawings are simply orthographic intended for manufacturing and construction.
The most important thing to consider when CADing is to always ensure the design is as simple and practical as possible. The ease of CAD makes it all too easy to over complicate design which may not be practical to build in the real world. The angles of how parts connect, and what materials can be used to make a final product, as well as how much waste will be created are all important factors which are often overdone to the point of impracticality.
Keep designs simple, delete lines that are not necessary as well as try and get as much detail into a sketch as possible. It is much easier and efficient to draw an accurate sketch before creating a 3D object. 2D planes have less detail and are less easily confused, as well as editing a sketch instead of an object will prevent most unwanted errors from occurring. Editing a 3D object can modify surfaces in undesirable ways, as well as can quickly over complicate designs. However, sketching onto 3D objects is sometimes the only option.
Call now to connect with business.
