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Computer Aided Drawing

Automotive Mechatronics Technology · Level 6  ·  11 Chapters

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What Computer Aided Drawing covers

In this unit, you will be able to transform customer specifications into precise and professional computer-aided drawings that meet real-world manufacturing needs. You’ll confidently select and use the right software, equipment, and materials while following industry-standard procedures to create accurate designs. By mastering these skills, you’ll contribute to efficient production processes, reduce waste, and support innovation through detailed and clear technical documentation. Your ability to interpret and improve drawings will make you an essential part of any engineering or manufacturing team.

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Careers after Computer Aided Drawing

Imagine being able to turn ideas into detailed, professional drawings that guide real-world projects—from bridges and buildings to machines and even furniture. Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) skills are at the heart of design and manufacturing in Kenya today. By mastering these skills, you open doors to exciting careers and business opportunities, where your creativity and technical ability shape the future.

  • Construction & Engineering Firms: Companies like China Wu Yi, Epco Builders, and county public works departments rely on CAD technicians to design buildings, roads, and infrastructure. Accurate drawings are essential for safe, efficient construction.
  • Jua Kali Sector: Local artisans and workshops use CAD to design metalwork, furniture, and custom parts. Mastering CAD lets you offer design services, win bigger contracts, and improve product quality.
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Plants: Organizations like KenGen, Bamburi Cement, and local fabrication industries use CAD for designing machinery, parts, and layouts—creating jobs for skilled CAD operators and designers.
  • Automotive & Matatu Industry: From matatu body builders in Industrial Area to spare part fabricators, CAD skills help design vehicle modifications, custom interiors, and replacement parts.
  • Agribusiness & KTDA: Designing agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, and factory layouts for tea and coffee processing often starts with CAD drawings, creating opportunities with KTDA and private agribusinesses.
  • Entrepreneurship: With your own laptop and software, you can start a freelance CAD design business, serving clients in construction, manufacturing, or even event planning (like stage and tent layouts).
  • Hospitality & Interior Design: Hotels, lodges, and interior design firms use CAD to plan room layouts, furniture, and renovations—giving you a creative outlet and a marketable skill.

Mastering Computer Aided Drawing means you’ll be ready to shape Kenya’s future, whether you join a leading company or build your own successful business—your skills will always be in demand!

Chapters

1
Establish drawing requirements
10 topics
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2
Identify key features of CAD software
8 topics
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3
Navigate CAD software
6 topics
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4
Produce geometric drawings
6 topics
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5
Produce pictorial drawings of components
7 topics
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6
Produce orthographic drawings of top, front and side views
4 topics
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7
Produce assembly drawings
6 topics
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8
Finalize CAD operations
3 topics
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9
Apply the computer aided drawing in computer aided design
5 topics
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10
Design a mechanical system using CAD
5 topics
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11
Interpret the engineering drawings
4 topics
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What Computer Aided Drawing covers: 57 main topics in 11 chapters

1. Establish drawing requirements

  1. 1.1 Engineering drawing practices presentation
  2. 1.2 Introduction to technical drawing
  3. 1.3 Introduction to computer aided design

2. Identify key features of CAD software

  1. 2.1 CAD software tools and elements presentation
  2. 2.2 3D illustrations using isometric and oblique projection
  3. 2.3 Dimensioning principles
  4. 2.4 Parallel, Running, Staggered, Angular dimensioning assessments
  5. 2.5 Dimensioning for manufacture
  6. 2.6 Scaling (Division of lines, diagonal scales, plain scales)
  7. 2.7 Abbreviation and indexing
  8. 2.8 Limits and fits 3 Navigate CAD software

3. Navigate CAD software

  1. 3.1 Templates presentation
  2. 3.2 Accessing files
  3. 3.3 Libraries
  4. 3.4 Codes and standards
  5. 3.5 Drawing elements assessments
  6. 3.6 Editing tools 4 Produce geometric drawings

4. Produce geometric drawings

  1. 4.1 Geometric construction (forms, presentation angles etc.)
  2. 4.2 Geometrical tolerancing and datums
  3. 4.3 Linework and lettering Learning Outcome
  4. 4.4 Tangency assessments
  5. 4.5 Loci application
  6. 4.6 Drawing an ellipse, involute, spirals, helix, cycloids Produce pictorial drawings of components

5. Produce pictorial drawings of components

  1. 5.1 Conic sections and interpenetration of solids presentation assessments
  2. 5.2 Drawing nuts, bolts, screws and washers
  3. 5.3 Drawing keys and keyways
  4. 5.4 Drawing cams, gears, bearings and springs
  5. 5.5 Development of patterns from sheet materials
  6. 5.6 Perspective
  7. 5.7 Pictorial sketching Produce orthographic drawings of top, front and side views

6. Produce orthographic drawings of top, front and side views

  1. 6.1 First angle projection
  2. 6.2 Third angle projection
  3. 6.3 Projection symbols
  4. 6.4 Drawing procedure presentation Produce assembly drawings

7. Produce assembly drawings

  1. 7.1 Collective single-part drawing
  2. 7.2 Combined detail and assembly drawing presentation assessments
  3. 7.3 Exploded assembly drawing
  4. 7.4 Machine drawing
  5. 7.5 Sectioning (Half, revolved, removed, successive sections)
  6. 7.6 Part listing 8 Finalize CAD operations

8. Finalize CAD operations

  1. 8.1 Technical drawing file formats
  2. 8.2 Communicating design concepts
  3. 8.3 Care and storage of original drawings presentation assessments 9 Apply the computer aided drawing

9. Apply the computer aided drawing in computer aided design

  1. 9.1 Application of CAD
  2. 9.2 Photo simulations creation
  3. 9.3 2D and 3D drawings
  4. 9.4 Potential blockage analyses Learning Outcome in computer aided design
  5. 9.5 Uses of CAM presentation assessments 10 Design a mechanical system using CAD

10. Design a mechanical system using CAD

  1. 10.1 Uses of CAE in the manufacturing design
  2. 10.2 Wastage time and raw materials
  3. 10.3 Accuracy analyses
  4. 10.4 Database creation presentation
  5. 10.5 Design documentation assessments 11 Interpret the

11. Interpret the engineering drawings

  1. 11.1 First angle and third angle engineering
  2. 11.2 Scale of drawing drawings
  3. 11.3 Symbols of drawing
  4. 11.4 Abbreviations of drawing presentation assessments

Revise this unit

Exam-style questions 140 Written to CDACC standard, with answers Test yourself 436 Multiple-choice, one at a time Practise questions 150 Quick recall — check you know the facts
3 more for this unit
Oral exam preparation 104 What the assessor asks, and how to answer out loud Worked calculations 65 Step-by-step maths with the common mistakes Quick cards 2,189 Myth busters, skill tips and scenarios

Beyond the syllabus

Decision simulator 11 On site, what would you do? Workplace scenarios 162 Real site situations — what would you do? Turn this into income 108 Where this skill earns — what to charge, how to find clients

Other units in Module VI