Whats funny is that there is most likely a post on a cad board somewhere with the title Lazy engineers
It goes both ways for sure. I worked my way up from drafter to senior engineer (after getting my degree). I got my degree so I could be lazy like the rest of the engineers
Engineers think differently than designers/drafters and they defintiely don't speak the same langauge.
It used to drive me up a wall when an engineer would change something back and forth and everytime he wants a new drawing signed and dated.
Or an engineer trying to think out loud by using my drawings as a way of working out his issues.
Or Incompetent engineers trying to disregard other engineers suggestions because they are 'smarter' and I have to redo drawings on a moments notice.
My favorite is when an engineer would mark up a drawing and I would change it only to have him ask me why I changed the print! Nice when I show them the drawing they marked up.
I used to have engineers sit next to me and tell me what they wanted me to draw on the CAD. They would tell me what commands to use. Just remember, there is a good chance the Drafter has been doing cad longer then you have been an engineer.
Also, remember what another poster mentioned. He makes 14 bucks an hour (or even 8 as an intern). He doesn't have to worry about deadlines or finding another job since he could make the same money anywhere. They have nothing to lose.
For every lazy cad operator I bet I could find a lazy engineer (if only the ratio of engineers to cad operators wasn't so different!)
I have noticed that most engineers have a superiority complex but they tend to use it at the wrong time. If you just start at a compnay that designs products you are not familiar with most likely the drafters know more about the product design then you do.
As far as I am concerned engineers and drafters are two different departments whether they work for you or not.
Drafters can work in multiple industries quite easily since, to keep it simple, a line is a line. So, however unlikely it may seem, they might actually know more then you about a particular subject!
Sorry for the rant but working my way up from the gutters I have lived both sides.
Advice:
Get them involved with the project. Don't just hand them marked up prints. Ask for their input on a design (even if you don't use it or could care less!).
Definitely learn cad as a way of providing them with a basis to start from so your idea is clear.
They are probably not passionate about their work. Making the same changes over and over would drive anyone up the wall. Try to understand the standards they are using. it may be the drafting supervisor causing problems and not the drafter.
Teach them what you know. Don't just tell them. they might be more willing and able to help and feel more useful.
cksh. Former cad minion.
