5 Reasons Why Mechanical Engineers Should Be AutoCAD-Certified

If you work in any kind of engineering or design field or are considering it as a career choice, there is no doubt that you will have heard of AutoCAD. It’s incredibly popular and very widely used computer-aided drafting software, with a wide range of applications in both 2D and 3D, including in mechanical engineering.

Drafting is the art of taking notes, sketches and proposed dimensions to digitally visualize a product and create a blueprint. This is a vital element of the mechanical engineering process. AutoCAD software makes the drafting stage much more accurate and straightforward, once software user skills are learned.  

Do all mechanical engineers need to be able to understand and use AutoCAD? When you consider the range of purposes and the key benefits of being equipped to use this software, then the answer is certainly yes. 

Read on to find out how an AutoCAD training course may benefit you. 

What is the purpose of AutoCAD in mechanical engineering?

AutoCAD is available as a desktop, mobile, web- and cloud-based application. Produced by AutoDesk, it is widely accepted as the leading software in its field, not just in the UAE but across the globe. 

AutoCAD’s primary purpose in mechanical engineering is to accurately draw both 2D and 3D representations of ideas. Therefore, it is a way of visualizing products before the prototype stage. It can help highlight design flaws and issues in the early stages of the design process, as well as help engineers resolve them. 

What are the key benefits of learning AutoCAD?

Learning AutoCAD can be seen as vital to engineers for the following main reasons:

1. It is an excellent drafting tool

AutoCAD is popular, and for good reason. It enables engineers to draw accurate scale drawings within a program that easily allows them to efficiently and flexibly organize, manage and edit drafts. It enables engineers to represent and then refine their ideas by modeling digitally with various materials and textures, and with fantastic precision. It is also faster to use than drawing by hand, especially when a block library is created and reused. 

2. For career advancement

Being able to use the most widely used software will clearly be an advantage in terms of career development and progression. In fact, being AutoCAD literate is frequently stipulated in job descriptions and as an entry requirement to both academic and professional courses in engineering. Quite simply, it opens many doors in all engineering fields. 

3. To improve salary prospects

Any investment made in learning AutoCAD will be answered with the possibility of landing a better-paid position as a result. Mechanical engineers who are proficient in AutoCAD at all levels are highly sought after. 

4. To gain excellent basic skills in the industry

AutoCAD offers a very solid foundation to build upon. Once you have mastered 2D and then 3D AutoCAD, there is a range of complementary applications, add-ons and extensions that provide even greater opportunities for quality of design.

5. To collaborate with other engineers

In many ways, you can see AutoCAD as a language of design. It is available in many languages and is so popular across the world, that it has become an important way of communicating ideas and collaborating with engineering colleagues all over the globe.  

Do I need certification?

You can’t ignore the importance of AutoCAD to mechanical engineering if you want to work in the field. You could learn AutoCAD without opting for certification. However, taking an exam at the end of your course proves your competency and proficiency in the various software. 

If you intend to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, it is essential that you have the certification if you are to get the role you deserve. It’s worth noting that many advanced AutoCAD courses ask that you have certification in the basic AutoCAD software. 

What will I learn on an AutoCAD course?

Your entry into the world of AutoCAD will begin by taking an AutoCAD 2D course. This covers the generic skills that can apply to a whole range of fields, including electrical engineering and architecture as well as mechanical engineering. 

You will learn how to:

• Understand the AutoCAD interface and basic commands
• Create a simple but very high-quality and precise drawing
• Use layers, linetypes, geometry, text and hatching to improve your drawing 
• Edit and modify your work
• Organize and manage drawings 
• Get information from your drawing and much more 

Moving on to the more advanced AutoCAD 3D, you will learn:

• To use the 3D modeling workspace, viewing tools, and navigation tools
• To perform 3D surface modeling, solid modeling, and mesh modeling using advanced techniques and complex 3D geometry  
• To manipulate and rotate models
• To edit, organize and manage your work 

Is AutoCAD difficult to learn?

It may sound complex, but by picking the right AutoCAD training course with a mix of theory, demonstration and lots of hands-on practical experience, many people can succeed in mastering this software.

There is much to learn in both 2D and 3D AutoCAD courses, but persistence and commitment will deliver great results and a proficiency that you can take into an exciting mechanical engineering career. Why wait? Start looking for a certified course today. Get in touch with us at REI.