Goal of Project:

Incorporate software, CD ROM, and internet online searches as a tool for identifying materials and finished parts with selected mechanical, chemical (corrosion), physical, manufacturing, cost, and availability characteristics for incorporation into the design work of second year drafting and design students.

In an effort to cut costs and utilize their personnel more efficiently, some businesses and industries served by Tidewater Community College, have implemented (2) distinct strategies for qualifying drafting and design personnel to be employed in their operations. One trend in the field of engineering and design is for the engineer to take on the responsibility for personally preparing all of their individual design and engineering drawings with the aid of computer aided design (CAD) software and related workstation hardware. Such an approach moves the engineer from supervising the preparation to actually carrying it out personally with the aid of CAD facilities and equipment. This scenario downplays or eliminates the role of the draftsperson/designer as the engineer completes most or all phases of the design, material specification, and drawing preparation. A second trend is emerging and is quite different then the first in that it reduces the role of the engineer in the preparation and presentation of standardized product and production design work. Such an approach involves draftspersons being trained in the use of software, CD ROMS and internet online searches as a means of identifying standardized materials and part specifications for use within product and production design drawings. This approach allows the engineer to focus on higher level design problem solving. While such engineers continue to be involved in the execution of design work they tend to monitor and approve the execution of the design work to their specifications rather than carrying out such functions themselves.

While it is difficult to for tell the long term impact of either of these strategies on industry at this time, several companies in the Tidewater area of Virginia have approached the faculty of our Drafting and Design department suggesting that we assist them by upgrading the technical insight of our graduates, in the material and manufacturing process specification areas. This would improve the performance of our graduates whom they plan to employ. Specifically, a portion of their interest is devoted to having our drafting and design graduates familiar with procedures and processes for selecting appropriate engineering/industrial materials and or processes that assure design parameters are met and customer satisfaction is achieved, through product performance and overall value.

The drafting and design students should be experienced in and have the appropriate technical insight that will allow them to upgrade the role of the traditional draftsperson and be able to appropriately select both materials and or related manufacturing processes that will meet the design and manufacturing requirements researched and specified by the supervising engineer. Three primary areas have been identified; (1) mechanical properties including tensile, compression, impact, wear resistance, yield strength, creep resistance, torsional and shear strength, (2) chemical properties with specific interest in galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals, and (3) correctly specify and incorporate into the drawings appropriate and standardized procedures that modify material properties to enhance performance, reduce cost, and or improve corrosion resistance. These would include for example, appropriately specifying heat treating, forgings and rolled processing to improve strength; selecting materials with improved weldability, machineability, or castability to reduce production costs; and or selecting specialized materials or processing such as plating for selected corrosive environments.

(1). I will research, and identify software resources that can be purchased and loaded on our Windows 95 based computers used in the drafting and design area. AutoCAD software is our CAD software of choice and software that runs efficiently with AutoCAD would be of priority interest. Such software generally is narrowly focused providing basic but specific names, numbers and procedures

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(2). I will evaluate the cost of additional software relating to material and process selection that is based on property specifications desired. This material will be more generalized and should be more descriptive. If the first group of software outputs specific material types providing several that meet the defined criteria the second group will provide more detailed and comparative information allowing the student to explore subtle differences between materials within a group.

(3). I will explore the online opportunities for the students to efficiently locate online materials, processes and part information specific to their needs.