CAD Evaluation Program

The IMPACT CAD/CAE skill evaluation was developed to help determine an individual’s level of understanding of basic solid modeling or FEA concepts and basic software knowledge. The CAD process helps determine whether an individual understands the appropriate methodologies and software techniques that will lead that person to create geometry that is robust and user-friendly. Correctly created geometry will be easier to use by others in the products development (downstream users).  In addition, it will reduce the number of times that data will need to be rebuilt from scratch for the same or similar applications. The FEA Skills Assessment evaluates a candidate’s understanding of both the FEA tool in question but also the basic engineering skills required to appropriately develop models and interpret results.  This assessment will ensure that analysis practitioners can do what they say they can and know where they will need to improve their skills.

The evaluation is not a test, but rather a mechanism to determine whether someone understands the basics, which will allow that individual to grow with the tool. The evaluation can be used on all level of users. The number of hours an individual has spent on a specific solid modeler or FEA package is not always a good indicator of the individual’s ability to create good geometry or sound analysis models. 

At the Corporate level organizations can use the evaluation program to assess the level of its users. The results from the assessment can then be used to develop training programs or internal user groups to raise the level of the users’ capabilities, and thereby improve the overall effectiveness of the engineering group.

The CAD evaluation process is a two-part program that combines a five-page written questionnaire with a hands-on session that requires the individual to build a model from drawings that have been provided. They are also given a set of instructions defining how the evaluation process works and the duration of each session. When evaluating the work the scorer looks at feature placement and dimension schemes that match the drawing, modifiability of internal “spline” features and the use of model dimensions in the drawing.   The system grades as follows:

The FEA skills assessment is a four part program that involves written questionnaires on FE methods and Engineering Principals.  These evaluations are followed by a portfolio review and a set of hands-on problems to ascertain tool competency.

At IMPACT we provide the right QUALIFIED people you need to succeed.