Was taxidermy involved in the making of that photo?
Not sure but I do see a few non-conformists in there pushing the boundaries.
It’s the one on the end, lurking in the shadow that worries me.
Hello,
I’m part time everything lately, alot of purchasing engineer at the moment, if that’s a thing.
I do make CAD and IT and MRP/ERP decisions.
I can count the CAD users here on one hand, but it’s still dangerous.
No PDM.
I’ve been here for pencil drawings, VersaCAD, and SW.
I’m the sole User, and also the IT Guy, so by default I’m also the CAD Admin. No PDM here, but instead PDF standards including reference 3D PDFs enforce ‘released’ document status.
I’ve established standards, templates, and macros, pushed enhanced references into library components, developed multiple workflows for various design scales, created filename codes, indexed content for downstream summary, and driven purchasing for pipe, fittings, and steel forms via BOMs.
I used to have peers. Now, I seem am capable of doing more so that I don’t think that we will hire another. It may require two or three hires to replace me, though.
Hi, ik think i’m the CAD admin here at my work.
I’m working here for almost 2 years now. The setup when i started was a little confusing, a NAS with a very deep folder structure. But now we work in a pdm system with the rule that we only go 4 folders deep. I installed the PDM system and set all the rules. BTW i had no idea what i was doing in the beginning. I used a lot of google to figure things out.
I’m also the one who codes macro’s. (i use google to find a macro that does work and change it a bit). I would really like to learn how to code them.
CAD Admins Anonymous is a wonderful name 
Hi everyone! I am also a CAD admin. I started as a mechanical design engineer for several years in industrial manufacturing, and for the past 3.5 years I’m the CAD admin of the company.
When I came to the company, I found an unorganized, close to non-existent CAD process. There were no design rules, no training for the designers and a PDM “free for all”. Meaning, there were no restrictions to who can do what and where. So… I had to do everything from scratch.
I wrote the design rules,
I created a workflow from concept to manufacturing,
I automated templates, title blocks and many more basic processes,
I created custom content center libraries and material libraries
I reconstructed the PDM and administer it,
I trained the users, and I’m the cad support in general
I designed and redesigned products with full parameterization and product configurators
… uff.. and actually more stuff..
I am glad for this forum, really! Our position is kind of a lonely one, from the perspective that, for the companies, we are their CAD experts. Whoever needs anything CAD related, will come to us. So, who do we turn to when we need, for example, a discussion to analyze an idea that we have, and in general people that are like-minded? I believe we all need some sort of mentorship for one thing or another, as well as being the mentor to others.
Sure, we have to analyze the needs of each department and its people that our job has an impact. And of course we can go to the manager for some decision, but.. I don’t know if you noticed, but we are not so many out there!
Most companies have our role integrated with designer or something else, and that’s of course logical and understandable, depending on the needs of each company.
I absolutely love my job, but often, it feels like trying to swim in mud to reach somewhere, convince people and get results.
Amateur…Get back to me when your document management system is 7 folders deep…:
image.png
May the cloaked “file path too long exception” fairy visit you.
We revise hardware and our entire data set is our “Standard Parts Library” Our file reference trees aren’t trees but one big, tangled web.
I’m on a first name basis with her. I can send her your way if you like.
Worst case in our system is 20 levels. Its in our “Projects” folder where we allow engineers to create sub folder for projects. Bit of the wild west there and was a bad decision.
Wow 90’s, (Can I call you uncle. 
)
In the 90’s, I was a child who needed attention and affection back then. 
At that time I was using Catia v4 and trying to manage it, I definitely needed attention/affection then as well but it was the 90’s and a different world, you toughed it out.
So you cried going to sleep?
Man, that sounds like you went through a lot of pain back then. And here I am complaining about todays standards - it was never THAT bad.
I’m good, you keep that old hag at your place.
Its on a network share, right ? Just share the projects folder and have clients connect to that. 
Full time CAD Admin, Design Engineer, and Document Controller here. Most of my time is tracking down problems from previous engineers who were also given the “CAD Admin” role, but didn’t know what it actually entailed (or understood document control).
This resonates with me. Welcome!
Hello everyone!
Yes, I will become a CAD admin aswell.
It all happened so suddenly.
On a cold dark day of spring in year 2022. I was told they want to hire me and one of my tasks will be an admin for CAD systems.
Welcome! When you say “one of my tasks” maybe expect that to turn into “a lot of my time”
Haha! Thanks.
That won’t be a problem since I like the tinkering and helping out people 