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

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):

  • Utilize CAD software to plan and prepare documents and technical graphics appropriate to the mechanical engineering industry.
  • Generate code from CAD/CAM software to operate a 3-axis CNC milling machine to manufacture a mechanical part.
  • Illustrate correct usage of ASME Y14.5 and other associated mechanical standards in technical graphics of capstone projects.

Degree Plan




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.

View Certificate Plan

Adjunct Faculty

Bailey Jones

Bailey Jones

Email:

bjones@austincc.edu

Courses Taught:

DFTG 1433
DFTG 2440

Clint Lafont

Clint Lafont

Email:

clafont@austincc.edu

Courses Taught:

MCHN 1419
MCHN 1426
MCHN 2438

Shana Shaw

Shana Shaw

Email:

shana.shaw@austincc.edu

Courses Taught:

DFTG 1429 / ENGR 1304
DFTG 1433

Mark Summers

Mark Summers

Email:

msummers@austincc.edu

Courses Taught:

DFTG 1429 / ENGR 1304

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

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.

Preparation of mechanical drawings including dimensioning and tolerances, sectioning techniques, orthographic projection, and pictorial drawings.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

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.

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.

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.

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.