Chris:
I agree with your comments and thanks for your response.
Regarding some of the original subject matter, is the first mistake made when we even discriminate between the two? CAD has been around for say, 10-15 years. Mechanical engineeering (for one)...many more years. The inclusion of CAD into these various displines and technical sciences forces changes and challenges to our original concepts of what it today that make a person educated or for that matter qualified, in any particular field. It is after all, the employer that some sets these demands. The same applies to materials. There is an overwelming aspect to this stuff, one that will never be adressed by downsizing and lumping responsibilities into one. Personally, I like to to feel that I can tackle sciences "en-masse", realizing as well I never be an expert at in one particular area. Probably the best lesson I got at university, was learning just how much I did not know. Managing the level of understanding is the key.
I was interviewing with a company the other that does work for Tropicana. They initially wanted a Project Manager, someone with AutoCAD experience as well as of course, plant experience. Well, I fit the mold. What became apparent, this company was under some pressure because whoever it was they were trying to appease, was asking why they needed to have project Manager and a CAD guy. The giveaway, "well, maybe we need to consider someone who can do both" Typical. Tropicana wants to save a buck, and is tiring gettting billed for both, by an engineering company that has more medals than generals do.
Not to mention the greater problem....communications between those two sods who would wind up chasing each other in circles, until finally, they would accomplish the design goals required. Add to this, all the complexities of meeting the deployment according standards (Colors, layering etc.), that add more pain to the equation than meets the eye. just add variables that are not necessarily or absolutely important but are features inherent to the software and nonetheless add to diversions. What one encounters with programs like AutoCAD (most common) vs software such as 3d modelling software that can really do the job, then something has to give.
So, I told this guy. Look, I am familiar with this problem, these are issues I have had to face. But, dont hamstring me. When you try to lump all these into one, the solution is not found, I have been there. I will happily tackle design, plant engineering, contractors, product issues and regulatory BS, you name it. But, I can only do so efficiently using the tools that I have found to really work, so as to not have to address the ire of someone such as a production manager (Trop), who likely has no concept of the depth involved.
I am about ready for one of the Roo's in the oil can, that is. Stay away from those brown bottles, they've been laced with monobutyl tin trichloride, first vaporised then destructed after molding.
Regards
Mike Waugh
-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Wright [mailto:chrisw@skypoint.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 4:35 PM
To: Pipingdesign
Subject: Re: [PipingDesign] New Current Interesting Link - Drawing on Ex
>But, there is after all, a whole world in materials science that goes
>beyond statics, dynamics, kinematics and the physical world, etc. I have
>been witness to engineers select the cheapest material and the wrong
>materials. And yep, they call themselves engineers.
It works both ways. I've run into metallurgists and materials scientists
who know everything about materials except what makes them fail. It's
fairly common in the forensic biz.
>I have seen many instances where an employer for example,
>wants a CAD designer with an engineering degree.
Engineering is an interesting trade. Unlike the law or medicine, you
rarely find engineers practicing hands-on past the age of forty. And many
engineers become middle management in their 30's and forget most of their
professional skills. In the case of a CAD designer with an engineering
degree, I daresay the person hiring such a person doesn't know what he's
after.
Christopher Wright P.E. |"They couldn't hit an elephant at chrisw@skypoint.com | this distance" (last words of Gen. ___________________________| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864)http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw
Yahoo! Groups Links Received on Sun Apr 25 12:20:00 2004
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