What Do Mechanical Drafters Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Mechanical Drafters

Mechanical Drafters prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

Salary
$61490
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Mechanical Drafters prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information. They also develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.

Other tasks include:

  • Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
  • Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
  • Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
  • Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
  • Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.

We asked Mechanical Drafters how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

69%

How meaningful is this job

53%


69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 53% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Mechanical Drafters develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment. They produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

A typical day for a Mechanical Drafter will also include:

  • Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
  • Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
  • Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
  • Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
  • Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.

We asked some Mechanical Drafters a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 62% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 50% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 76% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 17% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 0% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 19% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Mechanical Drafters also draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines. They may also compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Mechanical Drafters Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians. They might also Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.

In addition, they Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems.

To some Mechanical Drafters, it is also their responsibility to Shade or color drawings to clarify and emphasize details and dimensions or eliminate background using ink, crayon, airbrush, and overlays.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Mechanical Drafter, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Mechanical Drafters work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
100%


Never
0%


Do Mechanical Drafters work outdoors?

Never
90%


Once a year
8%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Thinkers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Mechanical Drafters

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Related to Mechanical Drafters Job Description

Mechanical Drafters job description, what do Mechanical Drafters do, typical day for Mechanical Drafters, what is it like to work as a Mechanical Drafter, how many hours do Mechanical Drafters work, day to day work of a Mechanical Drafter

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/drafters.htm
http://www.accsc.org/
http://www.adda.org/


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