What makes you a GREAT Design Engineer?

What makes you a GREAT Design Engineer?

Most of you will answer to this question as “by learning CAD software.” But let me make it very clear that knowing CAD software will never make you qualified enough to be Product Design Engineer.

Designing is not only about knowing few commands and tools on CAD software. In fact, in real industry as design engineer, you will never get a 2D drawing to built as model because that’s what a draftsman does and not a designer!

But, If you can think, Calculate, define, validate, manufacture and keep the 3C’s – Common Sense, Communication and being client centric intact , then YES you can become one of the GREAT Design Engineer. As a Design Engineer, you should have a fair understanding of all the process involved in the process of a product design. Knowing the functionality is very important here. Thorough knowledge about the core subjects and understanding how you can implement that knowledge practically that is in real world will also make you a step closer in becoming GREAT Design Engineer. 

Take one step back, to take two steps forward…Sometimes you have to go back to learning and enhancing your skills so as to make it in par with market requirements. Designing job is everyday learning so always try to improve yourself by whatever way you can.

Few points to keep in mind:

1.     Try to understand the manufacturing process – The precautions have to be kept in mind before sending it for manufacturing. A designer should have knowledge of manufacturing process and material selected for the part right before starting 3D model of part. Also knowledge of all these become the base for design variables.

2.     Understand importance of material selection – This is one of the crucial steps in going forward in designing. Let us suppose you want to design a part of car with plastic as material which is earlier made up of metal. Thickness of part was 0.8mm in case of metal. So, now in plastic case, Part thickness will be changed and its assembling fasteners will also get changed. Generally, overall all design will be changed to fulfil same functionality and strength. If you can redesign it including manufacturing feasibility, in that case you are a Design Engineer.

3.     Understanding the client requirement – In the last it’s all about the client’s satisfaction. Let suppose you had 5 days to create a 3D model of a product. Now, you have to submit it to client. But before 1 hour of deadline, client called you and he needs some modification in first five sketches you made. Can you still deliver it on time or you need more time? If you have made the part history properly as a Product Design Engineer, in that case you can submit it on time. Otherwise you may take 3 days more to complete it.

Do you aspire to become Design Engineer but could never grab the opportunity you were really looking for. Thinking how you can stand out from others. Please feel free to share your queries with your contact number on [email protected]

modified and republished from http://www.thecadify.com/cad-design/great-cad-engineer/