CAD or engineering
CAD or engineering
(OP)
I am a professional engineer who has recently completed a one year course in Autocad at a local community college. I am self employed and provide engineering services in the fields of pipe stress analysis, pipe support design, and equipment foundations.
My question. What are the implications if I do some CAD work (drafting the designs of others) with respect to me being a PE? Do I assume more liability because I am a licensed enineer? What if I see something that does not "look right" to me? As a cad operator, not the engineer, is it even my "right" to question the work of others, or does the asking constitute some sort of engineering on my behalf?
Any thoughts on this subject will be appreciated.
My question. What are the implications if I do some CAD work (drafting the designs of others) with respect to me being a PE? Do I assume more liability because I am a licensed enineer? What if I see something that does not "look right" to me? As a cad operator, not the engineer, is it even my "right" to question the work of others, or does the asking constitute some sort of engineering on my behalf?
Any thoughts on this subject will be appreciated.





RE: CAD or engineering
RE: CAD or engineering
RE: CAD or engineering
It is not only your right but duty to point out things that "don't look right". However from a legal standpoint if you are simply drafting the plans and the other PE is signing off on them, he is the one who is responsible for the design.
However if it doesn't look right you need to raise the issue.
Sean Dotson, PE
www.mCADForums.com
CAD Professionals & Consultants Discussion
RE: CAD or engineering
RE: CAD or engineering
This leads to another question. As I said earlier I'm a one man PE show. Do I have to do seperate advertising to offer both engineering and cad services? Two sets of stationary, business cards, etc.
I'm not sure that I've seen this topic discussed before but it must be a concern to many independent engineers who offer both specialized engineering consulting and generalized cad services.
RE: CAD or engineering
As PEinc mentioned, make sure that it is clearly spelled out in writing that any job hired strictly as CAD work does NOT include the benefit of your standing as a PE (you are not verifying the work, only prettying up the drawing). If the work is to include your signature as a PE, make sure the portions of the project requiring your signature are spelled out, as well as those parts which do not.
RE: CAD or engineering
I registered two business names( although both are actually part of the same company) and if a project involves engineering I invoice through the engineering name otherwise I invoice through the alternate name.
I never consulted a lawyer but it seemed the appropriate thing to do ie clearly separate work that involved engineering and that which was strictly drafting and did not involve any design responsability.
Regards
Mark
RE: CAD or engineering
When I bid a job, fixed cost or otherwise, I tell them the rate ahead of time and at least an estimate of the completion time. Drafting vs design vs engineering have 3 different rates. When one crosses over, I renegotiate the contract and the rate at which the job is billed. I DO NOT attempt to separate a job into the number of hours for drafting vs design vs engineering. If I have to do any engineering work, it all gets billed at my engineering rate.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: CAD or engineering
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING..... SEAM THE SAME TO ME?
RE: CAD or engineering
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: CAD or engineering
Dan
Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: CAD or engineering
Drafting: This is just as it sounds. They have drawings already but need them modeled in 3D CAD or redrawn to latest standards. No thinking involved. I repeat all the same mistakes already on the print.
Design: Things learned in a 2-year associate design degree. Includes reverse engineering, simple concepting, drafting, drafting with error correction and recommending changes/improvements.
Engineering: Full machine design, stress analysis and FEA, cost analysis (engineering economics), and other tasks that require more time with my reference books than my CAD terminal.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376