Electromechanical drafters draw and create blueprints together with electromechanical engineers. They interpret the specifications and requirements made by the engineer and design electromechanical equipment and components.
Electromechanical drafters typically work in an office environment, although they may occasionally need to visit manufacturing facilities or construction sites to gather information or oversee the installation of equipment. They may spend much of their time working on a computer, using CAD software to produce technical drawings and specifications. Electromechanical drafters may work full-time, and some may be required to work overtime or on weekends to meet project deadlines.
To become an electromechanical drafter, it is typically necessary to have an associate degree in drafting or a related field, although some employers may accept candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent if they have significant experience in the field. Additionally, proficiency in CAD software and knowledge of electromechanical systems are essential for this role. Some employers may also prefer candidates who have certification in drafting or a related field.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Electromechanical drafter is a Skill level 3 occupation.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of electromechanical drafter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of electromechanical drafter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of electromechanical drafter.
Electrical equipment regulations: The national and international regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electrical equipment on the workfloor. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general risk management, electrical equipment manufacture, electrical equipment testing, electrical equipment installation, warning labels, and certificates.
Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
Design drawings: Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
CAD software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
Manual draughting techniques: Techniques used for creating detailed drawings of designs by using specialised pencils, rulers, templates and scales.
Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
Electrical wiring diagrams: The visual schematic representation of an electrical circuit, its components, and the connections between these components.
Electrical machines: Electrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating current (transformers).
Create technical plans: Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.
Model electromechanical systems: Model and simulate an electromechanical system, product, or component so that an assessment can be made of the viability of the product and so the physical parameters can be examined before the actual building of the product.
Use CAD software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Design prototypes: Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
Design electromechanical systems: Draft sketches and design electromechanical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment.
Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
Interpret electrical diagrams: Read and comprehend blueprints and electrical diagrams; understand technical instructions and engineering manuals for assembling electrical equipment; understand electricity theory and electronic components.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electromechanical drafter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Electric motors: Motors which are able to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Manufacturing processes: The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.
CAE software: The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
Electric drives: Electromechanical systems that utilise electric motors to control the movement and processes of electrical machinery.
Electric generators: The principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.
Mechatronics: Multidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the design of products and manufacturing processes. The combination of these areas of engineering allows for the design and development of “smart” devices and the achievement of an optimal balance between mechanical structure and control.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electromechanical drafter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Provide technical documentation: Prepare documentation for existing and upcoming products or services, describing their functionality and composition in such a way that it is understandable for a wide audience without technical background and compliant with defined requirements and standards. Keep documentation up to date.
Design electrical systems: Draft sketches and design electrical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. Draw panel arrangement layouts, electrical schematics, electrical wiring diagrams, and other assembly details.
Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
Use manual draughting techniques: Use non-computerised draughting techniques to make detailed drawings of designs by hand with specialised tools such as pencils, rulers and templates.
Create a product’s virtual model: Create a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.
Plan manufacturing processes: Determine and schedule production and assembly steps. Plan manpower and equipment needs taking ergonomic considerations into account.
Draft bill of materials: Set up a list of materials, components, and assemblies as well as the quantities needed to manufacture a certain product.
Draw blueprints: Draw layout specifications for machinery, equipment and building structures. Specify which materials should be used and the size of the components. Show different angles and views of the product.
Review drafts: Proofread and give feedback to technical drawings or drafts.
Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
Prepare assembly drawings: Create the drawings that identify the different components and materials, and that provide instructions as to how they should be assembled.
