common duties of a CAD technician

Hi there
im currently studying an HNC in CADD in the UK and use mainly AutoCAD
software.
Im just wondering what sort of duties a CAD technician carries out. does it
usually involve drafting or programming and maintaining a CAD system.

thanks

 

I live in "balmy" Canada - the prairies to be exact.

Nope, Cadd techs are the ones who get me my coffee first thing in the
morning, then rub my shoulders as I carry out MY daily duties.

Used to be just a drafter - then when computer came into the office I was
the CADD Manger cause nobody else knew "dick" about them. Now, I design,
draw, spec, supervise, administer, inspect and authorize the bills for my
projects. The only thing I don't do is initiate the project.

Beyond the old school hand drafting, pins drafting, vacuum machines,
ammonia blue printers, and man-handling the volumes of D, E, super-E size
prints there was always the phone to answer, things to file, libraries to
update and good looking receptionists to fraternize with. Ah, them were
the days...

 

I been a CAD Tech for about a year now. I use AutoCad for my GIS
(Geographic Information Systems) exhibits. I do a lot of work with
Civil Engineers/Planners to come up with designs for
Subdivisions\Suburbs. Basically Planning will come up with a concept
(utilizing a number of variables:land use, zoning, population, etc).
The Cad Tech will put those on a drawing(we use AutoCad, which is by
far and away the most widely used, but there is also Microstation and
some others). Then the Engineer will get involved and try to figure out
requirements for the concept(highways, water, basins, and others). The
Cad Tech will come in at this stage and will put these in the file as
well.
There are a number of things I'm not clear on, but since I only have a
year under my belt, I guess that will come in time.

HTH,
Randy