Design Technology

There is a constant demand for CAD and CAM operators, especially for those who can link these two areas. There is also a need for people who can adapt to new situations, as the field of CAD/CAM is continuously advancing. The program focuses on skills, procedures, and software that is widely used in industry, enabling the newly employed graduate to be productive as quickly as possible. Upon successful completion of the design program, graduates will have the capabilities to:

  • Understand both materials and manufacturing processes used in this branch of industry
  • Be able to set up and operate the CNC equipment
  • Be able to produce representations of manufactured items in both graphic form (CAD drawings files) and CNC machine form (CNC toolpath files)
  • Be able to edit both CAD drawing and CNC toolpath programs
  • Be able to set up communication between computer and CNC machine
  • Interpret and communicate both oral and written technical information related to the profession

Computer Aided Drafting, Design and Manufacturing (CADD/CAM)
In any design and manufacturing setting, design parameters must be communicated both to people and to machines, whereas the Mechanical Specialty focuses on communication with people (both fabricators and customers). The Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Specialty focuses on communication with CNC machines. This is the specialty that links CAD with CAM. The program includes both traditional classroom work on the theory of drafting and machining and practical experience using both CAD/CAM software and CNC machining. State-of-the-art CAD/CAM software is used.

Computer Graphics
This specialty combines Technical Drawing and Fine Arts Drawing. Graduates of this specialty will be able to find employment as Graphic Illustrators and Commercial Artists who design parts catalogs, magazine and newspaper advertising, as well as entry-level animation used in movie production.

Mechanical
The industrial drafter bridges the gap between designer and manufacturer. The drafter must be trained to take the ideas and sketches of the engineer and communicate them to the manufacturer using the specialized language and standard conventions of technical drawing. The Design Technology program combines training in Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) with traditional classroom work to produce a balanced set of drafting skills that is competitive in the job market. The focus of the program is on the field of mechanical and industrial design. State-of-the-art CAD equipment is used. Students learn both 2-D CAD and 3-D Modeling. There is a constant demand for detailers, drafters, CAD operators and illustrators. The training permits graduates to interpret design and to draft components and tooling that are used in the manufacturing of products. The program develops students' skills in state-of-the-art CAD by using software and hardware that is widely used in industry today.