Jansari has been working as a mechanical designer on CAD-based projects since 2005. He has mostly worked for clients in India and Canada.

He has been handling projects for a wide range of clients including companies in the following industries:

• pharmaceuticals,
• mining,
• textile, and
• home appliances.

He is proficient in 2D as well as 3D, and prefers to use Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Autodesk HSMWorks, Navisworks and Solid Edge. He likes to be involved from the initial stages of prototyping to testing, modifying, re-testing, trouble-shooting and design calculation.

His work mainly involves the preparation of fabrication drawings, mining designs, forgings, plastic parts, sheet metal, investment casting and automotive casting.

He makes use of Skype and Webex to incorporate client suggestions whenever meetings are not possible.

Sebastian has been working on CAD-based projects for architects in the US since 2000. She has been handling projects related to large apartments, including lobbies, interiors and exteriors. She also reviews design operations for her clients.

She is competent in both 2D as well as 3D. She prefers to use Autodesk Revit, but she also uses AutoCAD.

Her favorite project was an interior design of a lobby since March 2017. To begin, she had to review in detail whatever was unsatisfactory with the existing design and then she produced drawings for a new design. In another one of her other favorite projects, she worked on a church which was converted to an apartment building by a developer previously. She began the process by reviewing what the property developer had already done and found out that the church’s exterior was not planned causing a lot of infiltration, so she focused and planned on the exterior of this church again.

She is familiar with Skype and Webex in order to address issues that do not require face to face interaction with a client.

Mr. Rajput has been handling CAD-based projects as a freelancer since 2015. He has an architectural design background.

He is competent in AutoCAD drafting, raster to vector conversion and Google SketchUp. He also specializes in 3D modelling and uses AutoCAD 3D and Google Sketchup 3D for 3D drawings.

He has been designing for UK-based clients since 2015. Using Webex, SmartDrop and Skype, he has remotely managed and drafted a number of projects for clients in the UK. The most interesting CAD project that he has worked on involved drafting and designing floor plans for a construction company in the UK.

Raval has been working since 2011 in the field of new product development. For the first two years, he worked on casting, forging and automotive projects. For the next two years, he worked on agricultural machinery design, producing drawings of tractors (from the initial design phase to the final marketing) for an Indian OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). This OEM assembled agricultural equipment, such as tractors, harvesters, sprayers, uni-platforms, etc. For the next 3 years he has been working for a major engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services conglomerate. He serves US and Europe-based automotive clients involved in the manufacturing of products for recreational purposes, such as ATVs, snowmobiles and motorcycles.

While working in the engineering services industry, he has handled a number of automotive projects. The most interesting CAD project that he has worked on so far was the one where he got the opportunity to design various automotive systems including driveline, gearbox, differential, engine, chassis, interior body work and exterior body.

He observes that today in the market for CAD services, design and manufacturing are coming together and every day companies launch new technologies. He believes that with the help of CAD prototyping, experts can now quickly make designs and models.

As he has been working for clients based in the U.S and Europe in the field of design and development for many years, he has learned how to select the best software for each application. He uses software to represent his conception of an idea and makes a selection according to customer requirements. His favorite tools are Creo Parametric 2.0 and 3.0, which he uses for 3D modelling, casting, forging, sheet metal and assembling models. He also likes Catia for surfacing. He likes to work on Unigraphic and AutoCAD 2D for 2D modelling.

Since he is handling projects for US and Europe-based clients, all the work-related discussion happens on Webex, Skype, and Jabber. He is now skilled in ways of connecting with the clients through Skype and remote servers. When faced with a difficult situation, he also meets the client.

Having worked as an interim CAD draftsman and an external CAD consultant on projects, he has learned about many new technologies. He looks forward to new challenges and opportunities every day.

A. Kumar is currently working as a CAD professional in New Delhi. He is competent in AutoCAD drafting, Smart Drop and Google sketchup. In the past he has designed and drafted for the UK based clients. Using Webex and Skype he has remotely consulted and drafted. The most interesting CAD project that he has worked involved drafting and designing floor plans for a real estate company in the UK.

Attigeri has worked extensively on projects involving 2D to 3D conversion in CAD, product development (Mechanical) and structural design (Civil). He is skilled in Torrid, AutoCAD and other CAD software SolidWorks, Tekla2017. He has worked for clients from Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Egypt and Canada. He is currently living in India and has an experience of 15 years in this field. He welcomes the change in the use of technology. With the use of Skype and Webex, he often shares desktop and provides consulting remotely. He adds that these tools also prove to be of great help when he is working with clients abroad.

His core specialties include mechanical concept design, product design & development, tool design, press tool design & mould design, 2D to 3D & 3D to 2D conversion, 3D modeling & 3D rendering, reverse engineering, machine design / SPM, pharmaceutical packing machine format parts design and development, structural steel design and detailing of fabrication drawings.

V. Gainoutdinov is currently an independent CAD consultant, a role he has performed since 1993. Mr. Gainoutdinov was previously the head of design at Lambda Research optics, a mechanical engineering design company based in the United States, from 1993 to 2013.

Mr. Gainoutdinov oversaw all design activities for the company and managed a team of 2D and 3D designers (focusing on Autodesk Inventor SolidWorks, AutoCAD and CATIA 5). Mr. Gainoutdinov started his career as Mechanical Engineer at Sure Fire LLC., where he was responsible for implementing the use of CAD tools in the company. He also worked directly with the company’s customers, including military personnel and engineers. Mr. Gainoutdinov received a BMES in Mechanical Engineering/Aerospace from MATI.

Comments

1. Describe a project that was particularly challenging. What was challenging about it? What was the solution and what results did you achieve?

   All projects which I managed were challenging . Challenges differ from material of the product to customer requests. Solution is simple: do what customer required.

2. Which CAD software programs do you find the most useful for the kind of work that you do? What are the pros and cons of the various CAD software programs that you use?

   I use different CAD software, such as Solid Works,Autodesk Inventor, CATIA V5, Pro-E CREO. All software are different in way of operation and speed

3. How do you keep yourself up-to-date with the various developments in your field of work?
   Which new skills have you acquired in the past year?
   What new skills do you plan to acquire in the future?

   I do update my skills by keeping myself informed by checking Engineering Websites, company new product development announcements regarding material properties and product design based on new modern materials. I do have some plans.

4. Are there any kinds of activities that you feel are better to outsource or subcontract than to do yourself?
   Why or why not?
   What are some of the risks, in your opinion? Benefits?

   I prefer to do jobs myself because I am not sure that anyone else can make my project better.

S. Gazibaric is a tooling engineer for plastic and metal injection molding tools, sheet metal tools and plastic bottle tools. He has extensive experience in constructing medical equipment and medical devices. He has also worked as a designer of toys, plastic parts, bikes, engines and mechanical construction.

Interview with Mr. S. Gazibaric

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   I work with companies in the medical equipment field that need technical documentation and mechanical engineering skills. My area of expertise is CAD/CAM tooling and manufacturing.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on? What made it interesting?
   What challenges did you face?

   My most interesting project was tooling for Lego toy parts. It was interesting because it was very detailed and also fun because it makes children happy and I was able to be part of that.

3. Of the software tools that you use, which is your favorite and why?

   My favorite software is Solidworks because it has so many integrated solutions which help with engineering.

4. What trends are you observing in the market for CAD services? How have these trends affected you, and how are you responding to them?

   I recently came across NX software, a fully integrated CAD/CAM/CAE product and I was very satisfied with it, but it is very expensive.

5. What do you like about working as an interim CAD draftsman or external CAD consultant working on a time-bound project?

   I enjoy working as a free-lance CAD draftsman because I can set my own hours.

6. Have you ever provided CAD consulting services remotely, either via phone, the Web or email?
   Do you use any screen sharing tools (like Webex, Skype, or GoToMeeting), and are they effective?
   What kinds of questions and problems could you tackle remotely?
   Are there any issues that you feel are better handled face-to-face?

   I work remotely using TeamViewer for sharing CAD services, a free solution for remote desktops.

D. Bryson began work in machining and metalworking in Canada in 1981, becoming a world recognized journeyman tool and die maker in 1985. Re-entering the workforce as a CAD designer, he worked his way up to Senior Mechanical Engineer in a leading microwave radio company. He shares recognition in two patents relating to his design work of microwave radios. His previous hands-on metalworking experience has benefitted him greatly in his design career, where he continues to design and develop innovative yet simple-to-manufacture parts and assemblies. Familiar with all aspects of manufacturing including precision machining and grinding, stamping, die casting and welding. He is an expert in Solid Works and AutoCAD, including import and export of the many other software platforms in the marketplace.

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Interview with Mr. D. Bryson

1. What kinds of clients do you serve?

   My clients are varied. My background is in metalworking and mechanical CAD, both 2D & 3D. I have worked on very complicated mechanical assemblies and manufacturing drawings for the microwave industry, the semi-conductor industry, the nuclear industry and just the manufacturing industry in general. I have also worked with architectural CAD and have a client in the low voltage retrofit industry whose major customers are school districts and hospitals. They upgrade security systems and classroom technology. I have done both 2D drawings and 3D renderings for them. I have another client that installs automatic car wash systems and I do all their installation drawings. I have another client for whom I do RV park layouts. Finally, I have created drawings for individuals to submit with patent applications.

2. What was the most interesting CAD project that you ever worked on?
   What made it interesting?
   What challenges did you face?

   The most interesting project I worked on was a proprietary mechanical system that I can’t even talk about since the patent application is still pending. It had many small mechanical assemblies and a very large final assembly. All the work was in 3D. It will be interesting to see it actually come to fruition and know I was a part of it. I had to research many new to the market components that went into the assembly, create 3D models of them and integrate them correctly.

3. Of the software tools that you use, which is your favorite and why?

   My favorite tool is Solid Works. With my mechanical background, it is the most versatile software available that ties part modeling, assemblies and drawings all together parametrically. I can’t imagine doing the work I do today on a drawing board with a pencil. A week’s work would take a year!

4. What trends are you observing in the market for CAD services? How have these trends affected you, and how are you responding to them?

   I have talked to all my clients many times over the last 2 years, thinking that they were bringing their CAD requirement in-house since I had shown a significant decrease in business from all of them. This was not the case. It is simply a slowdown in all industries. If anything, they have laid off their own full time people and are still planning on outsourcing the majority of their CAD work.

5. What do you like about working as an interim CAD draftsman or external CAD consultant working on a time-bound project?

   I have always been good at time management and servicing several clients on several projects at the same time. I have never missed a deadline or had an unhappy client. With a home office, I have the flexibility to work any hours required to get the job done.

6. Have you ever provided CAD consulting services remotely, either via phone, the Web or email?
   Do you use any screen sharing tools (like Webex, Skype, or GoToMeeting), and are they effective?
   What kinds of questions and problems could you tackle remotely?
   Are there any issues that you feel are better handled face-to-face?

   I have been involved in many remote meetings as an observer but have not yet had the necessity to launch my own meeting.