Class Recommendations for Engineering Technician?

[cadcoke5]

I've been an AutoCAD draftsman and framing designer for over 15 years, generally working under an engineer. At my recommendation, we are likely to purchase Solidworks in the very near future and hope to take advantage of its basic FEA and dynamics.

The engineer I work for is definitely a pencil-&-paper type, so I realize that I must learn more about the engineering stuff so that I can properly understand what I am doing inside Solidworks. There are a few universities near me, so I hope to take a few classes to bring me up to speed. I realize I am going to need to refresh my math first, but figgure I don't need to jump into Calculus (tell me if I am wrong)

What other classes or subject matter should I cover to effectively us the engineering features of Solidworks?

Joe

 

[SBaugh]

I don't know what Engineering courses you need but...Why don't you take the SW training so you will understand how SW works as well? It's one thing to understand the math that's involved, it's another to understand how SW uses that math.

Best of luck to you!

Best Regards,


Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[TateJ]

I agree with SBaugh. You'll have enough on your plate for a while just getting all your legacy data converted to SolidWorks - this includes organizing everything in a re-usable structure. There's a lot of planning you'll need to do up front.
If you have a basic understanding of statics & dynamics you're good to go for now.
Your first priority will be the software and the organization.

This will look favorable on my next review.
tatejATusfilter.com[/u]​

 

[TheTick]

As far as engineering courses, you are best off talking to an advisor at a college. Perhaps your boss might have some useful input. Perhaps there are schools in your area offering MET-type (mechanical engineering technology) degree programs. These tend to be mre trade-specific and are often not calculus-based. Your willingness to grow in that direction is very commendable.

As far as implementing SW, all I can say is that you will need to make your best effort to become adept in a short amount of time. If your boss is "old school and likes it that way", he may be a hard sell if he doesn't see productivity in short order.

Get the training. PracticePracticePractice! Recreate some old, famliar stuff in SW to get the hang of it.

I hope I'm not sounding too pedantic, but...
SW is not AutoCAD. Solid modeling is not drafting. You need to be open to a whole different approach to design.

FEA is a different animal altogether. I recommend that it not be implemented unless the program is overseen by a qualified engineer.

Good and evil: wrap them up and disguise it as people.

 

[SBaugh]

One other thing to add to TheTick's post. When using SW coming directly from AutoCAD...Forgot AutoCAD or you will have a hard time converting over to SW. Keep and open mind when using SW. It will come to you, but training would help you get over that hurdle. If SW training isn't an option, there used to be a manual you could buy at

http://www.amazon.com

it was called "Solidworks for AutoCAD Users"

IHTH,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[sirmick]

Listen to the Tick. Don't be seduced by the FEA. Pretend its not there.

 

[cadcoke5]

Thanks for the advice. I just spent a few hours today looking at what classes and programs are available locally. At the regular university I will need to spend 3 semesters just catching my math up to the Calculus 2 level before I take any engineering classes. However, there was a Machine Design program at one school which seems much more along the path I want to take. I just need to review my trig.

However, I also just looked at the "How to Improve Myself to Get Ahead in My Work" forum. I realize I am verymuch in the same boat as many others who started CAD in the 80's. At the time it was attractive as a career, but by then the tech schools started cranking Cad draftsmen out in large numbers, and the salaries seemed to stagnate for the new folks. There doesn't seem to be a clear career path upward.

I really don't forsee me getting a degree at this time (age 39). Hopefully I can pick and choose enough classes specific to my current company that I can move up.

 

[TheTick]

Don't give up on a degree due to age. There are many people your age who slug it out and finish what they started years before.

Having a BS degree puts you in a category that makes you eligible for many more opportunities than any tech experience or certification does.

Good and evil: wrap them up and disguise it as people.

 

[DesignerMike]

I would definately say "don't give up on the degree".

I just graduated with an associates degree that I got part time while working. I had some credits from my first try at college um-teen years ago, but it only took three years (which flew by). Two months later I have a new job, 30% raise, more vacation, and a lot more opportunity.

There was a nice group of "OLD GUYS" in the program, the oldest being 49, so age should not be an issue. It is entertaining to listen to the youngsters talk about the party on Friday night after they struggled with, and failed, the statics exam (you aced it in 45 minutes). Start slow or you will get overwhelmed.
The practical experiences of working in the industry for years made the classes so much more intesting.

 

[TheTick]

A little historical perspective from a graduate of a Jesuit university....

Back in the day of Ignatius Loyola, the average age of university students was much higher. Ignatius was in his 40's when he started college. He went on to start colleges.



Good and evil: wrap them up and disguise it as people.

 

[TateJ]

It seems to me that you have 2 specific goals here:
1. learn and implement SolidWorks.
2. finish a degree and further your career.

No 1 is probably do-able in the short-term - say 6 months.
No 2 - I'm guessing - is more of along-term goal.

I would concentrate on No 1 - and cross it off the list before dealing with No 2.

It's no coincidence they're numbered in that order either.

You have eggs in 2 baskets - fine - just don't try to carry both baskets at the same time.
You should always keep one hand free in case you need to scratch something.

This will look favorable on my next review.
tatejATusfilter.com[/u]​

 

[rocheey]

Check out XChangeWorks.

http://www.solidworks.es/pages/products/xchangeworks/

It is a FREE model importer for AutoCAD, and imports many file formats (including Solidworks Parts) into the AutoCAD application. Bear with me here....

Last I checked, the Autodesk Exchange CD was US600, and you got only IGES, STEP, and possibly one other format.

In addition, it comes with a 'lite' version of Solidworks, as well as a tutorial on Solidworks, from an Acad users perspective. I had a decade and a half into Acad myself, and the longer you've been there, the harder it is to leave.

That CD was a great help, and well worth what I paid for it (haa haa)

 

[rustdogbrown]

Joe,

1) I recommend getting a Mechanical Engineering Handbook and investing the time to study statics and dynamics, asking your boss questions when you need help. Take advantage of having an old schooler around-invaluable!

2) I converted from Pro-E to Solidworks and pretty much had to figure things out for myself, and it hasn't been that bad. With your prior drafting experience you should not have a problem.

Good Luck

 

[cadcoke5]

Thanks again for all your very valuable input. This forum (and the others on Eng-tips) seem to be of extremely high quality because of guys like you.

I should add that most of my AutoCAD work is in 3d, and I used Inventor for about 4 months and had some training. So, Its looking like I can get by without the training class. (though I still would like recomendation for 3rd party training material)

The actual fields I want to go into are related to animatronics and similar stuff. They tend to be a small job-shop type of industry. I generally expect them to pay less attention to the degree. However, I think I will start along the path towards the degree, but only take classes directly related to engineering. If I later want to add the other credits for the degree, I am partway there.

Whether to get the Solidworks subscription is another issue (and another rant - subscription really feels like a product of the marketing monster that has conquered most companies). But, without training, I suspect the tech support will be very valuable.

Joe

 

[reswam]

Dear all
Any body know , distance learning programmes(internationally) with cost effective to get BS.Please give me information
Thanks and Regards
Reswam

 

[ctopher]

I suggest having a rep show your boss a demo of SW. Explain to your rep what you are up against with your boss being 'old school' so he can show the correct demo.
Good luck with the schooling, I am also 39 and doing the same thing. I already have 2 yrs SW experience and 20 yrs Engineering experience.

 

[StarrRider]

CadChoke3

I have to agree with TheTick

Get the training
I too had a LOT of time on AutoCAD – over 10 years – and a lot of time with solids – 4 years with Mechanical Desktop and a few months with Inventor. IMO – the biggest problem for anyone changing from AutoCAD to SolidWorks is to stop comparing the two programs with each other. For me - a lot of things that I tried at first simply did not work – When I was able to make them work it will seem like I had to take the LONG road to get there. I also found a lot of things that looked like limitation in SolidWorks and I will admit that I made a LOT of STUPID enhancement requests. Let us not talk about the truly nasty things that I said at the time.
The amount of time necessary to get past this transitional period varies with the individual but the training helps a lot. That training should be purchased with SolidWorks and your employer should pay it. He is making the decision to purchase the software and will reap the benefits that the software and training provide.

Lee

Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.