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Career Technical Education

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Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Engineering Technologies

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Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Engineering Technologies

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Program Description
Redefine what is possible through CAD and Engineering Technologies!

Students will use the latest industry-standard software and equipment to produce working drawings, 3D solid model designs, parts, and assemblies. Students will also have the opportunity to program and operate CNC machines (router, lathe, mill, and water jet) to produce manufactured products using metal, wood, and plastic. Students will also operate 3D printers and laser engravers in fabricating various engineered and designed products. Advanced Manufacturing and Welding processes in industry will be explored.

This exciting, professional College Tech Prep offering is designed to prepare students for careers in the Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing career fields. Students will network with industry experts and partners, working in high-demand Advanced Manufacturing.

Senior-level internships/industry placement opportunities are available to qualified students.

Advanced technologies, coupled with the need to update and improve manufacturing facilities and product design, should fuel the demand for professionals in Advanced Manufacturing, and engineering technologies. According to the latest data, 7,400 jobs within a 100-mile radius of Akron, Ohio currently exist.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to earn up to 6 college credits (CTAG) to any Ohio public university for Computer-Aided Drafting and Design and Manufacturing Processes in an Engineering Technology program.

Take a 3D virtual tour of our 3D Prototyping Lab and our Advanced Manufacturing Center!

Digital Program Notebook
View the Program Notebook
Program Requirements
GRADE LEVEL: 10, 11, 12

SCHOOL: Kent

PROGRAM LENGTH: Two Years

CREDIT AT KENT:

Level I: CP or Comp English (1cr); CADET IA (1cr); CADET IB (1cr).

Level II: CADET IIA (1.5cr); CADET IIB (1.5cr). CADET II Capstone (1cr).

Virtual Tour

Program Overview

Skills Necessary for Success

  • Detail-oriented problem solver
  • Ability to visualize projects
  • Affinity for mathematics
  • Ability to work independently and as a team member
  • Positive attitude, critical thinker
  • Interest in designing and building
  • Use and implement precise measurements and calculations

Higher Educational Opportunities

  • College credits available. See page 32.
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Associate’s degree
  • Internships

Recommendations

  • Excellent attendance record
  • Geometry
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Utilize computer technologies

Professional Pathway

  • Engineering technician
  • Machine Technician
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Architect
  • CNC programmer/operator
  • Landscape architect
  • CAD Designer
  • Interior designer
  • Furniture Engineering Draftsman
  • Machinist

Helpful Background

  • Career interests/helpful background
  • Computer technology
  • Manufacturing process
  • Blueprint design or production
  • Keyboarding skills

Meet the Instructors

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Email Troy Spear

Troy Spear is level I instructor for the Computer Aided Design and Engineering Technologies career technical program at Theodore Roosevelt High School. Mr. Spear is the sole instructor for the elective courses: Fundamentals of Wood and Metal Manufacturing, and Advanced Cabinetry. He received his Master of Arts in Industrial Technology from Kent State University after completing his undergraduate B.A. degrees in English, Speech, Theatre and Education from the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Spear is also a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Cabinetmakers Association, Woodwork Career Alliance and Skills USA. His commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based problem solving, and learning fosters an active learning environment where students are physically engaged in the work that they are learning about; be it setting up and operating machines, making accurate technical drawings and renderings or writing programs to run on the CAD & Engineering Tech programs CNC machines. Spear’s goal is that his students demonstrate knowledge and the application of real-world knowledge they gain to solve tomorrow’s problems. He states that if students can dream it, we can show them how to draw it, design it, prototype it, machine it, put it together and make it work.

Stories & Projects from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Engineering Technologies

Capstone
April 03, 2018
A group of six men stand together, posing for a photo indoors.
During Spring Break,instructors Troy Spear and Jeff Bee and , two seniors from CAD & Eng Tech Level II, Richie Morroco and AJ Tassone were the first educators, students and educational institution in the United States to get trained on a Mill Turn module for MasterCAM which is a new industrial duty software that the CAD & Engineering Technologies program is utilizing to integrate student designs with machines to bring designs to life.  This module is specifically designed to be used with our new Turning Center.  Both Richie and AJ benefitted from the instruction that they will be utilizing for their capstone projects that each is working on.  AJ's capstone project is a 5" Bass fishing lure mold.  He intends to make three different sizes 5", 4", 3" of the same design.  Using Mastercam to input his Solidworks file he was able to create the tool paths for his mold very quickly.  Tooling was supplied by Kyocera SGS Precision tools.  Kevin Richardson of Fastech Inc., Mastercam reseller and trainer, was able to instruct Richie and AJ both in the techniques used in creating toolpaths from solid models.  

Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies​ Students Tour Kennametal in Solon
November 17, 2017
Two people examine a display of mechanical parts in a gallery setting.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies students toured Kennametal in Solon, Ohio. They were able to see and hear from Kennametal employees how the carbide insert tooling they create is used to make everything from jet engines to helicopter rotors. Kennametal offers internships and paid tuition for apprenticeships and other training as well. Computer Aided Design & Engineering Technologies students learn about and use carbide insert tooling in both manual and CNC machines.

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Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies Visit Delta Systems
November 17, 2017
A group of students listens to an instructor in a workshop setting.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies students visited Delta Systems in Streetsboro and witnessed local advanced manufacturing. They toured circuit board soldering and assembly division and saw how Delta Systems employees make and assemble safety components and switches for outdoor power equipment. Delta Systems employs many different positions from steel stamping, tool and die, machining and assembly to get the job done.
A group of people listens to a presentation in a manufacturing facility.

DS Architecture works with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies ll students
November 16, 2017
A group of people pose together in a computer lab, smiling at the camera.
 

Two architects from DS Architecture worked with students from the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies  ll program on their residential house designs.  The students are participating in this year’s Student Model Home Design Contest.

Doug Fuller and Paul Romanic volunteered their time and expertise to review and discuss the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) & Engineering Technologies students’ designs. The students learned about how an architect approaches a project when considering the client’s needs and specifications.