Practical CAD Training
Specializing in CATIA® training for more than 30 years

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Practical CATIA V5 Online Training

We've named our course "Practical CAD Training" because we teach the "practical" application of the CATIA® V5 software as it is used in the industry.  The course is modeled after our combined  50+ years experience in the automotive design and engineering field and 30+ years using the CATIA® software.  We use many of the components we've designed throughout our careers as an aid in teaching the Practical CAD Training course participants to use the CATIA® V5 software.

Course participants learn to model a variety of plastic and sheet metal components (see below).  To help course participants better understand how the CATIA® software is used in the industry, we discuss several manufacturing methods including plastic injection molding, sheet metal stamping, roll-forming, progressive-dies, etc.  

In the true "Philpot" tradition, our intent is to not just teach the CATIA® V5 software, but to try to pass on to course participants some of the knowledge we've accumulated over during our careers working in the automotive design and engineering profession. From our designer's perspective, we teach course participants how the CATIA® software is really used in the industry.

While the aforementioned training exercises are of automotive components we've designed, the methodology for using the CATIA® software applies to all other disciplines as well (aerospace, home appliance and electronics, tooling, special machines, etc.).

Shown below are just a few of the components we've designed over the years and turned into training exercises.

Practical CAD Training covers the following CATIA® V5 Workbenches:

  • Part Design

  • Sketcher

  • Generative Shape Design (wireframe and surface)

  • Generative Sheet Metal Design

  • Assembly Design

  • Drafting

The Sheetmetal Bracket is modeled using the Sketcher and Part Design workbenches.

 

                                 

The Plastic Spring Cap is modeled by creating several surfaces in the Generative Shape Design workbench. The surfaces are Trimmed and Filleted.  A solid is then created by using the Thick Surface and Close Surface tools in the Part Design workbench.

"It's not enough for an instructor to just know a subject very well.
  They must also be able to communicate that knowledge in a clear, concise way."

 

The Retractor Frame is modeled using the Sheet Metal Design workbench.

"The instructor must be able to walk that fine line between talking over the course participant's heads, 
while not talking down to them."

 

The Retractor Face Plate is modeled in the "Part Design Workbench" from multiple Sketches.

"Mr. Childress possesses a designer's knowledge of the CATIA® software, and a teacher's ability to pass that knowledge on to the course participants in an entertaining and informative way.  A rare combination."

 

The product is assembled using the Assembly Design Workbench.

A detail drawing is creating of the Retractor Frame using the Drafting Workbench.

We guarantee that no single CAD class, CATIA® or otherwise, offers this level of training,
in this short a timeframe, at such an affordable price.

NOTE: The Practical CAD Training course is not offered as vocational training or as qualifying one for any particular employment.  There are no course credits transferable to any accredited educational institution.

NOTE: CATIA® is a registered trademark of Dassault Systemes and has no affiliation with Practical CAD Training.