If your business is within the industrial and architectural design sector, you’re likely facing many challenges these days. Structures are becoming more complex, clients are demanding greater value for money, and authorities are pushing for environmental efficiency.

Failing to utilize computer-aided design (CAD) to address these concerns is a major oversight.

What is CAD in the first place?

This has been around since the 70s though it was mainly used for research. With it, you can build an entire model in a virtual space, allowing you to visualize properties like color, material, distance, height, and width before the design is used.

Why use CAD for your business

While it was developed to replace manual drafting, its application has extended to other industries such as architecture and automotive design. The introduction and rising popularity of tools like AutoCAD means you may enjoy the following benefits for your company too.

• It is easy to pick up and integrate into your current business processes.
• It uses animation and applies physics engines to see how designs will perform in the real work.
• It analyses the proposed design thoroughly to improve the quality of traditional models.
• It provides access only to authorised members thereby boosting the security of your data.
• It allows you to create multiple copies of a design while maintaining the integrity of the original.
• It enables you to make modifications on the design and track progress in a simpler way.
• It lets you share your projects with clients and the rest of your team through the internet.
• It includes dimensions and geometries of the product so documentation is convenient.

Computer-aided design software has proven itself useful in many industries so it’s hard to find disadvantages. It does have some limitations, notably the skill of the CAD drafter.

Before that, what is a CAD drafter?

They are a designer who uses CAD to create drawings and schematics used to construct buildings or manufacture products. Some have a specialty like with an architecture & engineering drafter but their responsibilities normally include:

• Making drawings from site visits, verbal instructions, and hand sketches
• Analyzing prototypes and 2D drawings to develop 3D models
• Creating and maintaining a drafting log or drawing list
• Keeping all versions or revisions of project drawings
• Preparing engineering documents to be submitted to the client
• Organizing and uploading drawings for easy sharing to clients and the team
• Ensuring projects meet drafting standards and are free of errors
• Consulting with architects and designers to discuss design ideas
• Presenting rough drafts to be approved by the customer
• Generating solid and surface models using CAD software
• Printing various formats of drawings for project managers and onsite workers

Why you need a CAD drafter

In many situations, it makes practical and financial sense to hire a dedicated CAD designer or draughtsman for your projects. Read on to know how they are a great boon to your business, whether it’s protecting your brand, improving your product, or reducing your costs.

1 – They provide creative insight

CAD is a tool for drafters to make designs. Like all other software, they’re only as useful as the person handling them. While computers tell you what a product or building will look like, the user decides on the materials, among other things.

CAD software won’t tell you which design is more aesthetically-pleasing and may override functionality. You need an expert for that, someone who has several projects under their belt. Doing the drawings yourself means you’re limited to designs you’re familiar with or that have been done before.

2 – They focus on designing

Your in-house engineers can only do so much. They’re typically tied to a large number of projects so they can’t properly contribute to design creation. They have to think about production, maintenance, and more which delays progress.

With a dedicated architecture & engineering drafter, you get focused efforts on your projects. Productivity will then increase as your other employees concentrate on tasks they’re most suited to deal with. It’s not just your designs that will improve in quality but other work too.

3 – They have flexible schedules

If you’re working with a virtual professional, it means they’re not restricted to a 9-to-5 work schedule or to your timezone. Their flexibility allows you to get designs done around the clock and on off-shifts. This enables you to turn projects around faster and make customers happier.

In many cases, they aren’t confined to a 40-hour work week either, meaning they handle projects even during national holidays in your country. You may also contact them for any concerns or modifications even after your physical office is closed.

4 – They reduce your overhead

When developing a product or running a company, you want to make sure you get great value for your money. The good news is that you may shop around to find the best draughtsman at the best rate, and this alone reduces your expenses.

Besides that, you won’t have to pay for insurance, time off, and benefits when they’re offshore. You don’t have to prepare a separate workstation or computer for them either as they have their own. Sometimes, they pay for the software on their own too.

5 – They give you an edge

An experienced CAD drafter is capable of customising products, redesigning drawings, and making changes as needed. They enable you to offer specific solutions tailored to your clients instead of a standardised item at the same price. These give you opportunities for higher profit and business growth.

Additionally, they make sure to stay updated on the latest trends in your industry. They study new methods or techniques that come up to determine which are useful for you particularly. In this manner, you have the assurance that you won’t lag behind your competitors.

6 – They give better control

You need to be in charge of everything when you’re managing a project but micromanaging will backfire on you. It’s better to take a step back and observe the process from far away. Doing so lets you see the intertwining pieces and the bigger picture.

When you oversee a project with a wider perspective, you’ll be able to check other areas such as the actual production and quality control. Things also get completed earlier so any necessary changes will happen within the requested time frame.

7 – They widen your network

The person you hire to design new furniture may have worked with a well-known architect in the past. Your drafter may connect you to them for an interior design project, for instance. There’s no guarantee that business will come of it but it will spread your brand across the community.

They may connect you with other virtual professionals too. Maybe your engineer resigned or your architect is on extended leave so you need to hire somebody to replace them. Your draughtsman might refer you to people they’ve worked with previously and are looking for a job.

Where to find a CAD drafter

There are numerous merits to hiring a dedicated CAD designer for your projects. Not only will you improve productivity and reduce costs but also you will future-proof your company against the competition. Widening your network is an added bonus.

Take a look at our offshore staffing services here at Remote Workmate when you’re looking for an experienced CAD drafter. We guarantee that your information is kept secure or anonymous, if you prefer. You’ll be able to work with a designer who will give your business a boost through us.