College SA Technical School
Draughting Studies
What is Draughting?
Draughting is a term used in engineering for a technical drawing that gives all the relevant information needed regarding a specific project or system in the form of a sketch. These drawings, still often referred to as "blueprints", are usually standard and have definite features such as geometry, dimensions, tolerances, material and finish. What this means is that they give an indication of the shape, size and variable dimensions of the object, as well as what it is made of and how finely rounded off it should be.
The nature of these technical drawings implies that it consists of different lines drawn at various angles, so if you are considering a career in Draughting, one would expect that you have an interest in graphs, scales, projections, floor plans, and so forth, factors normally associated with subjects such as mathematics, physics and engineering. The most basic aspect of draughting would be to understand the various lines and angles used in these architectural drawings, so students can expect to learn more about visible, hidden, centre, cutting and section lines, as well as acute, obtuse, right and reflex angles.
What Draughting Courses does College SA offer?
- Introduction to Draughting
- Architectural Draughting
What do these Draughting Courses entail?
- Introduction to Draughting
As the title states, this course serves as an introduction to draughting, so students would first and foremost learn the basic principles of engineering drawing. This would include the purpose, uses and application of engineering drawings, as well as practical experience in freehand drawing. A good balance is maintained between theoretical knowledge and practical application in order to ease students into the technicality of this subject, which makes this course ideal for someone who has no prior training or formal education in mathematics of physics. The Study Guide is very user friendly and the section on Geometrical Constructions would prove to be very valuable when one considers a career in architecture or technical drawing.
- Architectural Draughting
Whereas the Introduction to Draughting Course gives students a broad outline of what engineering drawings are and how different structures could be constructed, Architectural Draughting zooms in on the technical drawing of buildings in particular. An Architectural Draughter would thus design building plans - on scale and very detailed - so that building contractors or engineers are able to get the full picture of what needs to be constructed. This drawing then becomes the "blueprint" of a building according to which quantity surveyors calculate what material is needed, engineers determine how deep foundations should be laid, interior designers plan the layout, etc. Becoming an Architectural Draughter would require a creative mind, an organised and precise work strategy, good work ethics and the ability to work under pressure.
