Mechanical Design Technology

Learn how you can help design the products of tomorrow and the machines that make them in Gateway’s Mechanical Design Technology associate degree program. This program focuses on designing consumer products and industrial machinery and will prepare you for an Industry 4.0 career

Mechanical engineering technicians work with product development engineers to develop designs, drawings, evaluate product documentation, and manage the prototype phase of product development. This program provides comprehensive training in drafting, computer-aided design (CAD), basic fabrication methods, engineering geometry, analyzing static loads, evaluating linear and angular velocity, kinematics of machinery and manufacturing processes.

Courses focus on the drafting and technical drawing skills used by mechanical engineers to design products and create instructions for manufacturing parts. Students will gain extensive experience with dimensioning practices, drafting standards, orthographic, section, auxiliary and exploded views of product designs, assembly drawings, and fabrication drawing details.

A mechanical designer’s job requires them to work in harmony with product development engineers and manufacturing engineers, performing tasks such as updating designs or drawings, evaluating product documentation before product release, and managing a product’s prototype phase by performing tests and debugging.

Students utilize state-of-the-art computer labs where they work with the latest computer programs including SOLIDWORKS and CREO/Pro-E 3D programs and AutoCAD 2D program. Students utilize a Fab Lab with many 3D printers (3DP large format printer, Object 24, Dremel, Affinia and Cube X PRO) which print true-to-life models featuring strong materials, small moving parts, thin walls and smooth, paintable surfaces. The FAB lab also gives students experiences with 3D table top CNC Mills, Laser Engraver Cutter, soldering equipment, vinyl cutters and many hand tools.

During the program, students apply concepts and theories to solve real-life mechanical engineering problems. Previous course projects have included developing a device used to lift a radio antenna and building a meat tenderizer using manufacturing machinery such as saws, lathes, milling machines and surface grinders. Through these projects, they gain hands-on training, working in teams to divide problems into manageable tasks and take responsibility for the completion of each task. They also learn how to write technical progress reports.

Students are encouraged to join the Mechanical Design club. The club provides students with networking and professional development opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of mechanical engineering technicians to continue to increase. The median annual salary of mechanical engineering technicians was $54,480 in 2016.

Curriculum Sheet:

10-606-1 Mechanical Design Technology 2018-19 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Most program courses offered at these locations:

Elkhorn Campus, SC Johnson iMET Center

Some courses may need to be completed at another location. Please consult WebAdvisor for specific course offering information.

Featured Faculty

"Students should choose Gateway because of the low tuition, small class sizes, hands-on classroom experiences, and instructors and staff who really care about student success. I love teaching at Gateway knowing that my work is helping students gain valuable skills and experience that will enable them to be successful in industry."

~ Tom Filipiak