Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing drafters create 2D and 3D drawings that are used to manufacture products. Drafters also design and make parts for use in a number of machines that are part of the manufacturing processes.
WHAT DOES A CAD/CAM DRAFTER DO? Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are two computer-aided technologies. Starting in the 1980s, CAD/CAM programs have been used to make customized metal and plastic parts with computer-controlled machining. The drafter (sometimes called a CAD operator) creates a technical drawing that contains all the dimensions for the part, much like a blueprint shows the dimensions of a house or building. In addition to being faster than hand drawings and human-operated cutting or milling machines, CAD systems can also produce parts much more accurately. These machines have such precise measurements, they are accurate to 1/1,000 of an inch, one-third the width of a human hair. WHAT’S NEW? CAD is used in the design, development and manufacture of all kinds of products. CAD is widely used to produce parts for machines, in the design of manufacturing tools, and in designing residential and commercial buildings. CAD is especially important in microelectronics, providing lower development costs for newer, smaller and more powerful devices in a much shorter time frame. Drafters also work with CAD to create BIM drawings. BIM stands for building information modeling and is widely used in construction to produce highly accurate digital models of buildings and machines. WHERE DO CAD/CAM DRAFTERS WORK? Architectural drafters • Draw architectural and structural features of buildings for construction projects. • May specialize in a type of building such as residential or commercial. • May also specialize by the materials used, such as steel, wood or reinforced concrete. Civil drafters • Work with engineering firms, highway construction firms or within city planning departments. • Prepare maps used in municipal construction projects, such as highways and bridges. 34
BLUEPRINT | 2022 | ARKANSAS TIMES
Electrical drafters • Prepare wiring diagrams that construction workers use to install and repair electrical equipment and wiring in power plants, residential and commercial buildings. • Employed by a wide range of companies, including construction, electrical firms and manufacturers. Electronics drafters • Produce wiring diagrams for circuit boards. • Produce layout drawings used in manufacturing and installing and repairing electronic devices and components. Mechanical drafters • Prepare layouts detailing a wide variety of machinery and mechanical tools and devices. • Mechanical drafters also sometimes create production molds. • Employed in a wide variety of manufacturing companies. WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK? All categories combined, drafters in Arkansas held more than 1,000 jobs in 2018. More than half of those positions were in the architectural or civil fields. Most drafters work full time, spending the majority of their working hours in an indoor office setting. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, projected job growth for drafters overall is expected to average about 4% through 2028, led by electrical and electronics drafters, which are expected to grow 7%. That may not sound like much, but it’s well above the national growth rate expected in these jobs. HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE? Architectural/Civil Drafters • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $35,520 annually/$17.08 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $50,990 annually/$24.51 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $72,270 annually/$34.75 per hour
Electronics Drafters • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $38,100 annually/$18.32 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $63.690 annually/$30.62 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $100,240 annually/$48.19 per hour Mechanical Drafters • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $32,400 annually/$15.58 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $49,020 annually/$23.57 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $75,490 annually/$36.29 per hour WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL? • Creativity • Detail oriented • Interpersonal skills such as communication • Math/technical skills • Time-management skills HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT? Drafters generally need to complete a two-year associate degree from a community college. Drafters do not generally complete an apprenticeship like other trades do. Community colleges offer programs that lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or a related degree. The types of courses offered will vary by institution; some institutions may specialize in only one type of drafting. The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) offers certification for drafters. ADDA certification shows you have invested extra time and effort into your craft and is sometimes required by your employer. It can also sometimes result in higher pay. Certifications are offered for several specialties, including architectural, civil and mechanical drafting.
