Mechanical CAD
The mechanical field encompasses a wide range of industries, including building infrastructure (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), aerospace, automotive, consumer products, military equipment, and more. In this program, you'll gain expertise in sheet metal and electro-mechanical assemblies, complex injection molded parts, and the design of machined and 3D printed components for manufacturing. Regardless of your specific mechanical design field, documentation plays a critical role, specifying dimensions and tolerances for efficient mass production and assembly. Our curriculum covers the entire design process, from initial concepts to full-scale production, emphasizing design for manufacturing (DFM).
Workforce Information
Mechanical drafters prepare layouts that show the details for a variety of machinery and mechanical tools and devices, such as medical equipment. These layouts indicate dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements for assembly. Mechanical drafters sometimes create production molds.
Please see the Bureau of Labor Statistics page on Mechanical Drafters by visiting their site here.
Please see the Occupational Information Network page on Mechanical Drafters by visiting their site here.
Program Coordinator & Advising
Kim Duren
Mechanical CAD Coordinator
Email: kduren@austincc.edu
Phone: (512) 223-4854
Directory: Kim Duren
The program coordinator for the Mechanical CAD program in the A&E CAD department is Kim Duren, who also serves as the academic advisor and as an instructor. Kim earned her associate of applied science degree in Drafting and Design from the Eastfield College. Kim has worked as a designer and drafter with several firms in the Austin area, including: Boeing Defense and Space, Applied Materials, and Eaton Semiconductor.
Kim has been teaching at ACC since 2006.
Kim Duren (kduren@austincc.edu), program coordinator for Mechanical CAD, covers the curriculum and courses that comprise the mechanical programs.
Programs Offered
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Mechanical Specialization
This program is intended for students pursuing careers in the field of Mechanical CAD. Mechanical drafters create the graphics used in the mechanical engineering field. Students may also use the training offered in the mechanical specialization to prepare for transfer to a university program. Students who choose the Mechanical Specialization career track are often employed by mechanical engineering firms. CAD software used in this program includes Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Mastercam, and PTC Creo. At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with a Mechanical CAD Specialization, students will be able to (PSLOs):
Degree Plan
Required Courses
DFTG 1405 – Technical Drafting
DFTG 2431 – Intro to Building Information Modeling
DFTG 1433 – Mechanical Drafting
DFTG 1430 – Civil Drafting
MCHN 1426 – Intro to Computer Aided Manufacturing
DFTG 2440 – Solid Modeling/Design
DFTG 1429 – Electro-Mechanical Drafting (SolidWorks)
DFTG 2402 – Machine Drafting
Electives
MCHN 2438 – Adv. Computer Aided Manufacturing
ENGR 1201 – Introduction to Engineering
WLDG 1437 – Introduction to Metallurgy
ARCE 2352- MEP (DFTG 2431 prerequisite)
Contact the Mechanical CAD Coordinator, Kim Duren, for further elective options.
Certificate - Mechanical CAD/CAM Level 1
This 20 credit hour certificate program is intended for students pursuing careers and training in the field of CAD and Computer Aided Manufacturing.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the A&E CAD department’s Mechanical coordinator, Kim Duren, before pursuing this program.
Adjunct Faculty
Bailey Jones
A&E CAD
Clint Lafont
A&E CAD
Shana Shaw
A&E CAD
Mark Summers
A&E CAD
Bailey Jones
Email: bjones@austincc.edu
Courses Taught:
DFTG 1433 – Mechanical Drafting
DFTG 2440 – Solid Modeling & Design
Courses Offered
Below is a list of all courses the A&E CAD department currently has to offer in the Mechanical CAD specialization. You will also find links to our current and ensuing semester course schedules to help you plan your academic future.
Current Semester Course Schedule: 2024 – Summer Semester
Next Semester Course Schedule: 2024 – Fall Semester
DFTG 1429 - Electro-Mechanical Drafting
A basic course including layout and design of electro-mechanical equipment from engineering notes and sketches.
This section is cross-listed as ENGR 1304 – Engineering Graphics.
Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1433.
DFTG 1433 - Mechanical Drafting
Preparation of mechanical drawings including dimensioning and tolerances, sectioning techniques, orthographic projection, and pictorial drawings.
Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.
DFTG 2402 - Machine Drafting
Production of detail and assembly drawings of machines, threads, gears, utilizing tolerances, limit dimensioning, and surface finishes. This course is a study of machine design dimensioning and tolerancing (including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) using ASME/ANSI and ISO standards. Also, an introduction to producing part drawings from parametric solid models is provided.
Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1433 or instructor’s approval.
DFTG 2440 - Solid Modeling/Design
A computer-aided solid modeling course. Development of three-dimensional drawings and models from engineering sketches and orthographic drawings and utilization of three-dimensional models in design work.
Prerequisite(s): DFTG 2402.
MCHN 1426 - Introduction to Computer-Aided Manufacturing
A study of Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software which is used to develop applications for manufacturing. Emphasis on tool geometry, tool selection, and the tool library. This class also focuses on introductory manufacturing methods used with CNC equipment as well as the basic setup and use of those machines.
Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.
MCHN 2438 - Advanced Computer-Aided Manufacturing
Advanced techniques in Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). This advanced level class will focus on more advanced levels of manufacturing processes utilizing CNC equipment as well as the setup and operation of those machines. It will focus on CAD software used to develop 2D and 3D toolpaths to drive these machines. Emphasis on mill and lathe as well as quality control and inspection.
Prerequisite(s): MCHN 1426.