Manufacturing Technology Cluster

Engineering CAD / Site Development Program Description - Two-Year Program The Engineering CAD/Site Development program has expanded its options. Students can select Site Development or Mechanical Drafting. The two-year program will begin with an overview of mechanical engineering/drafting, architectural project site development, and geographic information system/GIS technology. Early in teh first semester students will be able to choose a training path for the remainder of the school year. The two paths are described below: Mechanical Drafting Description Mechanical Drafting is a two-year program in machine and mechanical drafting. The first year starts with an overview of the fields of engineering drafting, the study of basic drafting skills and standards common to the industry, and a variety of two and three dimensional drawing skills using computer-aided design. The second year of the program applies first year skills to areas such as product design, jig and fixture design, die design, and power transmission devices. Content Areas: Auxiliary views Cam Developments Descriptive geometry Die design Dimensioning and tolerancing Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing Manufacturing processes and materials Power transmission devices Product design Sectional views 3-D solid modeling Detail and assembly drawings Jigs and fixtures Helpful Experience and Aptitudes Ability to problem solve An eye for detail and being precise Aptitude for spatial and numerical concepts Comfortable using a computer Good math skills To be able to work independently and as a team member Work in an office environment Career Entry Opportunities Computer-aided design (CAD) operator Detail drafter Junior drafter Drafting technician, with additional training Engineer Benefits for the College Bound This program provides excellent foundation skills for college associate degrees and/or bachelor degrees in engineering. After completion of this program, a student may be granted up to six semester credits by Grand Rapids Community College toward an associate degree in mechanical drafting which may be transferred to Ferris State University. Students may also be eligible for advanced placement and/or college credit at Ferris State University, ITT Technical Institute and Northwood University. Credit will be based upon competency testing and instructor recommendation. Site Design Managment Program Description Site Design Management will introduce students to the knowledge and skills in architectural, geographical, environmental, and computer information technologies. The students will work with information data sets, topographical maps, aerial photography and satellite imagery as well as environmental and facility resource management software. Geographic Informational System/GIS technology will be applied to the planning and designing of residential and light commercial architectural projects. Computer mapping will be introduced to create designs for use in environmental and facility management. Students will learn how industries and communities are using GIS for long-range planning and decision-making. Content Areas - SDM: Basic map orientation and construction Data management Environmental resource management Facility management Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Land management Light commercial design drafting Residential design drafting Helpful Experience and Aptitudes - SDM Math Science High School courses in word processing, spreadsheets and databases Architectural and/or mechanical drafting Art course Career Entry Opportunities - SDM Civil drafter Architectural drafter Earn advanced community college credits Engineering Environmental and design firms Geospatial information field Real estate State and federal agencies Municipalities Benefits for the College Bound - SDM Students may be able to earn college credit at regional colleges such as Grand Rapids Community College or Lansing Community College, or nationally at the University of Montana or the University of Southern California.