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Mechanical Design/CAD

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2026-2027 Edition

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      • Mechanical Design/​CAD A.A.S.
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(Also see Computer Integrated Manufacturing)

Department Chair: Boguslaw Zapal, 847.376.7707, bzapal@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator, Automation and Mechatronics: Pawel Baran, 847.376.7612, pbaran@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator, CAD and Manufacturing: Yong Yoo, 837.635.1972, yyoo@oakton.edu

This Mechanical Design curriculum trains students in mechanical design based on computer-aided techniques. Oakton’s curriculum provides courses in basic principles as well as hands-on applications. Students, including those working in industrial settings, are prepared for employment as mechanical designers, mechanical engineering technicians and technical salespeople.


 

  • Mechanical Design/CAD A.A.S.
  • Mechanical Design/CAD Certificate
  • Computer-Aided Design Certificate
  • Industrial Design Engineering Certificate
  • CAD Interior Design Certificate
  • SolidWorks Certificate
  • General Design Certificate
  • Revit – Building Information Modeling (BIM) Certificate
CAD 1014 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Industrial Drafting and Design  
Course provides a comprehensive overview of industrial drafting and design. It covers major components of technical drawing including geometry, dimensions, and annotations. Additional topics include detail and assembly drawings, metric versus standard projections and dimensioning, and advanced drawing views. The course concludes with an overview of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T). Introduction to 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software is integrated throughout course.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 1033 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Autodesk Fusion 360  
Course introduces Autodesk Fusion 360, a cloud-based 3D design and manufacturing platform. Students will learn how to create 3D models, build assemblies, make engineering drawings, run simple simulations and create CAM tool paths for CNC machining. The course focuses on practical skills used in design and manufacturing, including digital prototyping, 3D printing and utilizing CNC machines. Students will complete hands-on projects to practice modern design and fabrication workflows.
Recommended: CAD 101.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 1054 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Industrial Design Engineering  
Course introduces industrial design and its place in the manufacturing process. Content includes design visualization, creation and application of three-dimensional (3D) computer-generated models in today’s manufacturing, communication, and publishing industries; creating a 3D computer model component design from original idea, pencil sketching, concept analysis and use of surface and solid modeling software.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 1074 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Introduction to 3D Printing  
Course is an introduction to 3D printing with emphasis on design of 3D printed parts and operational theory of 3D printers. The computer will be used by students to create three-dimensional models and prepare the models to print using a variety of filaments for applications in mechanical design, manufacturing and industrial design. Course content covers a step by step approach to creating models and setting up a 3D printer.
Recommended: Knowledge of computer applications and web based learning.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer  
CAD 1163 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 2)
Basic AutoCAD  
Course is first of three in drafting and design using AutoCAD software. Content includes setting up a drawing electronically; drawing and editing; construction techniques; display commands; effective layering; dimensioning and detailing; using blocks, and plotting.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer  
CAD 1174 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 0)
Intermediate AutoCAD  
Course is the second of three in drafting and design using AutoCAD software. It covers assigning attributes to blocks, using external references, grouping and filtering entities. Three-dimensional (3D) topics include dynamic viewing, defining coordinate systems, extrusions, wireframe modeling, surface modeling, and an introduction into solid modeling.
Recommended: CAD 116.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 1184 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 0)
Advanced AutoCAD  
Course is the last of three in drafting and design using AutoCAD software. Content includes solid modeling, including 3D Modeling, parametric design and rendering. The focus is on practical application for digital manufacturing, prototyping, 3D printing and assemblies for mechanical and architectural drawings.
Recommended: CAD 116 and CAD 117.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 1344 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Basic AutoCAD for Interior Design  
Course introduces Computer-Aided Design with emphasis on interior design applications. Students use the computer to draw and plot floor plans, lighting and electrical plans, and elevations. The course covers setting up a drawing electronically, drawing and editing, construction techniques, display commands, effective layering, dimensioning and detailing, using blocks, and plotting.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 1364 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Advanced AutoCAD for Interior Design  
Second course in AutoCAD for interior design covers creating and utilizing advanced drawing techniques; developing complex interior design applications including lighting, electrical plans, elevations, and 3D drawings; producing drawings with unconventional angles; using symbols/blocks and assigning attributes for use in drawing applications; and producing drawing plots with multiple scales with advanced functionality.
Recommended: CAD 134.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Spring  
CAD 1503 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 2)
Laser Applications  
Course introduces students to industrial laser applications with emphasis on design projects for manufacturing. Utilizing Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, students create geometry for general and industrial applications for various laser technologies. The course covers CAD design for laser applications, selecting proper materials, basic laser setup and operations, and hands-on projects.
Recommended: CAD 116.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2104 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Industrial Design Techniques  
Course teaches skills for creating prototypes of computer models using 3D modeling and prototyping software. Hands-on lab course involves critical thinking skills related to industrial design, digital prototyping and manufacturing. Content includes industrial design techniques using computer models for laser cutting, fasteners, 3D printing and production processes that employ computer-controlled machines and prototyping equipment.
Recommended: General computer skills.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2204 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit  
Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software widely used by architects, engineers and contractors to create a unified model that all disciplines and trades can use to complete their work. Revit enables students to create full 3D architectural project models and place them in working drawings. Topics include creating floor plans, adding views, adding various building components, and creating sheets for plotting.
Recommended: Knowledge of CAD drafting.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2244 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Advanced Building Information Modeling - Revit  
This is the second course in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technologies for Revit Architecture. Course examines how to use Revit to design 3D models that simultaneously document the project and generate 2D and 3D architectural drawings. Topics include site development, interoperability, linking and managing projects, advanced modeling methods, design options, phasing, work sharing and 2D and 3D presentation techniques.
Recommended: CAD 220 or consent of instructor.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2284 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Revit MEP – Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing  
Course in BIM Technologies for Revit will focus on HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Systems. Topics include working with linked architectural files, piping systems and fire protection systems, electrical components, circuits, cable tray and conduits, annotating construction documents and creating schedules.
Recommended: CAD 220 or consent of instructor.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Summer  
CAD 2303 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Introduction to SolidWorks  
Course explores the theory and application of solid modeling techniques for product design and manufacturing utilizing SolidWorks parametric modeling software. Content includes step-by-step approach to teach students new design skills by transforming computer sketches into three-dimensional features, creating and editing solid parts, building assemblies, and generating detail and assembly drawings.
Recommended: CAD 101.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer  
CAD 2324 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Intermediate SolidWorks  
Course offers an intermediate exploration of the theory and application of SolidWorks design software. It builds up on skills learned in CAD 230 to broaden students’ modeling expertise and prepare them for the advanced features covered in CAD 234. Course content includes step-by-step approach to teach students new design skills by creating and editing solids, surfaces, sheet metal, multibody parts, assemblies, and detail drawings.
Recommended: CAD 230.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2344 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Advanced SolidWorks  
This course is an advanced exploration of the theory and application of solid modeling techniques for product design, manufacturing and industrial design using SolidWorks. Topics covered include photorealistic rendering of computer models, animation and advanced computer modeling techniques. Design topics include molded parts, sheet metal, detail drawings and assemblies.
Recommended: CAD 232.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Spring  
CAD 2383 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
SolidWorks CAM  
This hands-on course introduces students to Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) utilizing SolidWorks software. Students will learn to design mechanical parts and create assemblies followed by creating tool paths for Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining. Students will explore real-world manufacturing practices including machining strategies, proper tool selection, programming and post-processing for various CNC machine centers.
Recommended: CAD 101 and CAD 230.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2403 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 2)
Introduction to Autodesk Inventor  
Course explores issues in the field of computeraided design using Autodesk Inventor. Content includes basic parametric modeling techniques using sketching tools; creating basic three-dimensional parts, assemblies, and 3-D presentations.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2703 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 2)
Advanced Engineering Design  
Course applies integrated method to teach advanced CAD techniques based on engineering principles. It emphasizes comprehensive approach to combine engineering design with analytical tools and prototyping solutions. Students develop solutions for given problems using CAD design software followed by testing design validity utilizing various analytical and prototyping tools such as motion, vibration, thermal, flow simulations etc. By integrating CAD design skills with analytical tools and engineering concepts students will gain practical experience preparing them for careers in various engineering design fields.
Recommended: CAD 210 or CAD 230 or previous CAD experience.  
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid

Fee: $50

Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring  
CAD 2901-4 credit hours (lecture: 1-4 | lab: 1-4)
Topics in Computer-Aided Design  
Course explores major issues in the field of Computer Aided Design. Topics will be selected from the following subspecialties as they relate to the design process: up-and-coming CAD software packages, animation, multimedia, Internet and simulation. Course has a different focus and/or scope from other courses currently offered in the department and may be taken for credit up to four times on different topics. Fee Varies. Prerequisite may vary by topic.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
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