The old saying "a picture is worth 1000 words" couldn't be more relevant to engineering graphics. Engineers use graphics to communicate technical information without ambiguity to executives, fabricators, customers, and each other. As with most things engineers use, engineering graphics has a well-defined set of standards by which technical drawings are produced. This course outlines the language of engineering graphics from basic sketching through 3-D solid modeling using computer aided design (CAD) software. While AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor are important topics within this course, this course teaches more than just how to use CAD software. It teaches projections, dimensions, and other foundations of engineering graphics through sketching, a critical skill for engineers. The course also gives the opportunity to apply this new knowledge to creative engineering design projects.
UW Colleges Catalog Course Description for GRA 110: Engineering Graphics with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) - 3 credits. An introductory course in engineering graphics focusing on graphical communication. Topics include descriptive geometry elements, visualization, engineering drawing techniques, orthographic projection, pictorial representation, auxiliary views, section views, and basic dimensioning. The course incorporates computer aided drafting (CAD) with engineering applications using 2-D drawing and 3-D modeling techniques. AP
This course is divided in to three sections: sketching, AutoCAD, and Inventor. The course begins by teaching the basics of engineering graphics using sketching. Freehand sketching using only a pencil and paper is an important skill for any engineer. It is a means of quickly conveying technical information to others. Through sketching the concepts of multiviews, pictorial projections, section views, auxiliary views, dimensioning, and assemblies are taught.
Once the foundation of engineering graphics is known, these concepts can be applied using computer aided design (CAD) software. AutoCAD is taught first. AutoCAD is a drawing software package used to create two dimensional engineering drawings. AutoCAD is similar to sketching in concept, except the lines are perfectly straight and the exact length.
The final section of the course is learning Autodesk Inventor. Inventor is a three dimensional solid modeling software package. Rather than drawing on a two dimensional plane, Inventor works to create an actual 3-D model of the design. This 3-D model is then placed on two dimensional paper using the projections discussed earlier.
Each section will consist of a creative engineering design project where the concepts learned are applied.
Successful completion of this course will enhance the student's ability to:
By completing this course, students will understand:
The two software packages required for this course are from Autodesk, AutoCAD and Inventor. Specific details about the software, including purchase options, will be provided by the instructor when the class starts. Do not download and install the 30-day trials from the Autodesk website, as these versions will interfere with the functionality of the versions required for the course.
NOTE: AutoCAD and Inventor are for personal computers running Microsoft Windows only. Do not attempt to install or run these applications on non-Windows personal computers, or PC’s running Windows in emulation. Complete software and hardware requirements can be found on the Autodesk website.
Diane Linskens