Noticed our new hires struggle more with manual edits than previous generations

Are we too reliant on perfect CAD models now?

4 comments

4 Comments

Ugh, my friend Jake at an auto supplier had this happen... Their CAD model for a bracket was perfect, but the prototype came back wrong. He spent hours trying to 'fix' the digital file instead of just redlining the print. Missed a whole batch because he couldn't visualize the manual change... Said his training was all about perfect 3D models, never how to correct a flawed one. Now he's begging the old timers for sketching tips.

the_jordan3mo ago

Yikes, that hits close to home! I once wasted an entire afternoon perfecting a digital layout when the printer just needed a sticky note with "move this over a inch" scribbled on it. Our training really does hammer in this idea that every flaw must be corrected in the system, not on the page. It sets up a mental block where you can't even see the simple solution right in front of you. I feel for Jake because that panic to fix it in the model is so real when you're deep in that mindset. Honestly, learning to redline felt like unlocking a secret skill after years of relying solely on perfect models. There's a weird humility in going back to paper and pencil that the all digital workflow just doesn't teach you.

daniel_king863mo ago

Modern automotive design requires flawless CAD to prevent costly recalls, @the_jordan, not sketchy corrections.

nathan_barnes3mo ago

Harper's friend Jake struggling because training never covered correcting flawed models... I've been there. My rule is to always print the critical dimensions and redline any discrepancies before touching the CAD file. It forces you to see the actual problem, not just the digital representation... and you'd be surprised how often the fix is a simple manual adjustment.