2 answers
Luke
Student
Duluth, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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What kind of classes and extra curriculars should I be in to have a future career in anything involving CAD for Engineering, Manufacturing, and/or aerospace-engineering?
I was hoping to someday be a Fighter Pilot or Maintainer in the AirForce/Navy or have a career in CAD for Engineering or in Aerospace Engineering.
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2 answers
Buvanesh N
Mechanical Engineer
7
Answers
Wilson, North Carolina
Updated
Buvanesh’s Answer
Hi Luke,
It's great to see your passion for Engineering and your determination to focus it towards your objectives. Engineering is born from innovative ideas and design, and CAD (Computer Aided Designing) plays a crucial role in this process. It's a tool that's extensively used to facilitate the design stage of any Engineering Product Development.
To achieve your goals, it's essential to be familiar with different aspects. Here are some tips:
1. Try to comprehend the various perspectives of any engineering objects. These could be anything from an Auto Engine to a coffee maker, Electric toothbrush, Refrigerator, Aircraft wing, pen, toy, machine, basket, and so on. The views could be Orthographic (Front, Top, Right, Left, Bottom, Rear views), Isometric views, etc.
2. Familiarize yourself with the language of Engineering as seen in any Engineering Drawing. This includes BOM (Bill of Materials), GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), Manufacturing Processes, methods, Assembly sequences, and Post & Pre process to create any final object (like Painting, Finishing, Polishing, Heat treating), etc. Look at various Engineering Drawings available online and see how they translate an object towards manufacturing through drawings.
3. Start exploring basic 3D & 2D CAD modeling software like Solidworks, AutoCAD, etc. They are user-friendly and provide a great insight into what can be achieved in Engineering Industries through these software.
4. Choose an object, take a ruler, Vernier caliper in hand, measure the object, and try to replicate it in your 3D software through modeling. This will boost your confidence and help you understand the practical application of CAD in Real-time Engineering.
5. Stay connected with Professional Engineers to gain more Engineering knowledge. Don't hesitate to ask questions to learn more about areas you're unsure about in reaching your area of interest.
6. Your persistent enthusiasm will guide you to your destination.
Best of luck to you!
It's great to see your passion for Engineering and your determination to focus it towards your objectives. Engineering is born from innovative ideas and design, and CAD (Computer Aided Designing) plays a crucial role in this process. It's a tool that's extensively used to facilitate the design stage of any Engineering Product Development.
To achieve your goals, it's essential to be familiar with different aspects. Here are some tips:
1. Try to comprehend the various perspectives of any engineering objects. These could be anything from an Auto Engine to a coffee maker, Electric toothbrush, Refrigerator, Aircraft wing, pen, toy, machine, basket, and so on. The views could be Orthographic (Front, Top, Right, Left, Bottom, Rear views), Isometric views, etc.
2. Familiarize yourself with the language of Engineering as seen in any Engineering Drawing. This includes BOM (Bill of Materials), GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), Manufacturing Processes, methods, Assembly sequences, and Post & Pre process to create any final object (like Painting, Finishing, Polishing, Heat treating), etc. Look at various Engineering Drawings available online and see how they translate an object towards manufacturing through drawings.
3. Start exploring basic 3D & 2D CAD modeling software like Solidworks, AutoCAD, etc. They are user-friendly and provide a great insight into what can be achieved in Engineering Industries through these software.
4. Choose an object, take a ruler, Vernier caliper in hand, measure the object, and try to replicate it in your 3D software through modeling. This will boost your confidence and help you understand the practical application of CAD in Real-time Engineering.
5. Stay connected with Professional Engineers to gain more Engineering knowledge. Don't hesitate to ask questions to learn more about areas you're unsure about in reaching your area of interest.
6. Your persistent enthusiasm will guide you to your destination.
Best of luck to you!
David Emerson
Mechanical Engineer
20
Answers
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Updated
David’s Answer
Good question Luke! If you pursue an engineering degree, you will find that it can lead to many different career opportunities and can certainly help you in becoming a pilot or aircraft mechanic, but can also be a useful background in medicine, law, leadership, etc.
Math and science are especially helpful, as they will help you to understand how the natural world works (think physics, chemistry, & electricity).
As far as extracurricular activities, look to join a robotics club. Build things. Anything. The process of building and creating, whether you're helping build a Habitat for Humanity house, a robot, a pumpkin-chucking trebuchet, or whatever it is 1) teaches valuable skills, and 2) looks good on an admissions application.
And if you can couple that with CAD, then all the better. If your school doesn't offer something, then perhaps you can take a class at a local vocational school. Autodesk's Fusion 360 has a free version you can use for 3D design. Then if your robot needs a custom part, you can design it, find access to a 3D printer, and create the solution.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best.
Math and science are especially helpful, as they will help you to understand how the natural world works (think physics, chemistry, & electricity).
As far as extracurricular activities, look to join a robotics club. Build things. Anything. The process of building and creating, whether you're helping build a Habitat for Humanity house, a robot, a pumpkin-chucking trebuchet, or whatever it is 1) teaches valuable skills, and 2) looks good on an admissions application.
And if you can couple that with CAD, then all the better. If your school doesn't offer something, then perhaps you can take a class at a local vocational school. Autodesk's Fusion 360 has a free version you can use for 3D design. Then if your robot needs a custom part, you can design it, find access to a 3D printer, and create the solution.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best.