INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF CADD AND IMPLICATIONS FOR COLLEGE INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION/TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS (COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN/DRAFTING)

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the status and applications of computer-aided design and drafting in selected industries and selected institutions offering degrees in Industrial Education/Technology. An attempt was made to identify the applications of computer-aided design and drafting in the manufacture of a product, the equipment that industry is using and the qualifications of computer-aided design and drafting personnel in industry.;Investigation was conducted through the use of two survey instruments consisting of one for industrial educators and one for industrial personnel. The selected four-year colleges were limited to those offering degrees in Industrial education and Industrial technology with drafting as a part of their curriculum. The selected companies were limited to those using computer-aided design and drafting in the production of a product or service.;Computer-aided design and drafting was being offered only on a limited basis in some colleges and was not being required. Larger colleges and colleges offering more hours of drafting were more likely to offer computer-aided design and drafting. Insufficient funds, lack of facilities, and lack of a qualified instructor were the main reasons for not offering computer-aided design and drafting. Industry personnel usually had a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering. Productivity, cost-effectiveness, speed, and accuracy were the primary reasons given by industrial personnel for using computer-aided design and drafting.;Industrial educators should evaluate their present curricula and consider the addition of computer-aided design and drafting. Departments planning on adding computer-aided design and drafting should cooperate with the computer center and other departments. Educators should offer workshops in computer-aided design and drafting with the cooperation of industry. Colleges interested in adding computer-aided design and drafting should form an advisory committee of industrial personnel and educators.;Implications have been drawn from the data as to the type and degree of change necessary in Industrial Education/Technology drafting curricula to reflect modern industrial technological practices.