Drafter
A drafter (also draughtsman / draughtswoman in British and Commonwealth English, draftsman / draftswoman or drafting technician in American and Canadian English) is an engineering technician who makes detailed technical drawings or plans for machinery, buildings, electronics, infrastructure, sections, etc. Drafters use computer software and manual sketches to convert the designs, plans, and layouts of engineers and architects into a set of technical drawings. Drafters operate as the supporting developers and sketch engineering designs and drawings from preliminary design concepts.
Overview
In the past, drafters sat at
Many modern drafters now use computer software such as
With CAD systems, drafters can create and store drawings electronically so that they can be viewed, printed, or programmed directly into automated manufacturing systems. CAD systems also permit drafters to quickly prepare variations of a design. Although drafters use CAD extensively, it is only a tool. Drafters still need knowledge of traditional drafting techniques, in addition to CAD skills. Despite the near global use of CAD systems, manual drafting and sketching are used in certain applications.[2]
Drafters' drawings provide visual guidelines and show how to construct a product or structure. Drawings include technical details and specify dimensions, materials, and procedures. Drafters fill in technical details using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, and calculations made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, drafters use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details of a structure. Some use their understanding of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine; they determine design elements, such as the numbers and kinds of fasteners needed to assemble the machine. Drafters use technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to complete their work.[2]
Specialties
Drafting work has many specialties such as:[2][1]
- Aeronautical drafters prepare engineering drawings detailing plans and specifications used in the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, and related parts.
- timber.
- Civil drafters prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in major construction or pipelines, flood-control projects, canals, and water and sewage systems.
- power plants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings.
- Electronics drafters draw wiring diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components.
- Mechanical drafters prepare drawings showing the detail and assembly of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fasteningmethods, manufacturing equipment, and mechanical installation infrastructure.
- Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used in the layout, construction, and operation of refineries, chemical plants, and process pipingsystems.
- Photovoltaic drafters prepare drawings showing inverter Pad location drawings and slab construction drawings, also prepare specific photovoltaic system assembly details and some wiring diagrams.
Employment and work environment
Drafters work in architectural offices, manufacturing companies, engineering firms, CAD-specific work-groups, construction companies, engineering consultancy firms, the government, natural resource companies or are independently self-employed. Drafting technologists and technicians often work as part of a broader multidisciplinary engineering team in support of engineers, architects or industrial designers or they may work on their own. The position of a drafter is one of a skilled assistant to architects and engineers. Drafters usually work in offices, seated at adjustable drawing boards or drafting tables when doing manual drawings, although modern drafters work at computer terminals much of the time. They usually work in an office environment, but some may have to travel and spend time on manufacturing plants or construction sites. As drafters spend long periods in front of computers doing detailed technical work, they may be susceptible to
Education and training
High school courses in English, mathematics, science, electronics, computer technology, drafting and design, visual arts, and computer graphics are useful for people considering a drafting career. Attributes required by drafters include technical writing skills, problem-solving skills, the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings as well as drawing the relationships between parts in machinery and various pieces of infrastructure. Other skills include an in-depth knowledge of the qualities of metals, plastics, wood and other materials used in the overall manufacturing processes and of construction methods and standards. Technical expertise, a strong understanding of construction and the manufacturing process, and a solid knowledge of drafting and design principles are also important assets in becoming a drafter.[3] In the modern job marketplace, in addition to technical skills enabling CAD drafters to draw up plans, soft skills are also crucial as CADD drafters have to communicate with clients and articulate their drawing plans in an effective way with fellow team members in a real-world setting.[3]
Employers prefer applicants who have also completed training after high school at a
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training and practical work experience with theoretical in-class instruction. Those interested in becoming drafters can earn qualifications as either drafting technologists or drafting technicians. Drafting technologists usually have a 2 to 3-year diploma in engineering design or drafting technology from a community college or technical school.
See also
- Architectural technologist
- Engineering technician
- Steel detailer
- Technical drawing tools
- Leonor Ferrer Girabau
References
- ^ a b c "AutoCAD Careers – Everything You Need To Know". Scan2CAD. December 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008) Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008–09 Edition: Drafters dated: 18 December 2007. accessed: 24 September 2008.
- ^ a b "3 Essential Skills You Need to Become a Successful CAD Technician". 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Mechanical Drafters". Riley Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- ^ "Aeronautical Drafter: Career and Salary Facts". Learn.org. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
This article incorporates public domain material from Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014–15 Edition, Drafters (visited January 26, 2015). United States Department of Labor (US DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).