A drawing is a graphic representation of the real thing. Drafting, therefore, is a graphic language, because it uses pictures to communicate thoughts or ideas (Jensen et al 2008: 2). Even the most highly developed languages can only convey a certain amount of detail, the remainder must be communicated by drawing. In this global marketplace, the necessity of drawing to a standard set of rules is such that whoever reads your document will be able to understand and manufacture it based on the information given. In the UK you will generally use BS8888 however in the US they may use ASME Y14.41 (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), which will be discreetly different and certainly in its standard unit of measurement. Both of these standards are dervied from the governing ISO standard.
You may hear a drawing referred to in the following ways, the difference will become more apparent as you develop as an engineer, but all generally refer to the drawing as depicted in Figure 1.
Drafting (or Draft)
Technical Drawing (or drafting)
Engineering Drawing (or drafting)
Detail Drawing (or drafting)
Mechanical Drawing (or drafting)
Orthographic Drawing (or drafting) – or sometime an Orthographic Projection.
This final term makes specific reference to the three views (or elevations) that are generally used when compiling a Technical Draft. From now on, this document will refer to this step of the design process as Technical Draft (ing) and will take specific reference from BS8888.
Drafting is different from sketching. It is a professional presentation of drawings to a level where they maybe manufactured or presented to the client for the final sign-off.
BS8888 can be accessed through the university library and often used in specific reference in many textbooks in the library as a basis to structure the book around. Any of the books below will give you everything you need to know. Simply then ensure they are current by accessing the official current standard on the library website.
Manual of Engineering Drawing – Simmons
Sketching ~ for Visualisation – Duff and Ross
Basics Technical Drawing – Bielefeld
Or browse the similar areas to the above and see what you can find.
You would be advised to try and learn the basic terminology as in Figure 1. (The labels are there for your benefit and should not be on your final drawing).
(Click to Enlarge)
Figure 1 – Terminology of a Technical Drawing (Dieter and Schmidt 2009: 392)
Drawing/Draft/Sheet – Refers to the entire page. One component, one drafting sheet (unless an assembly drawing). Don’t be tempted to squash many onto one sheet and risk crowding the page.
View/Elevation/Projection – As a minimum front/side/left or right. Somtimes an auxiliary or sectioned view. You will get a number of views on a draft.
Frame/Border – ‘Frames’ the draft and shows the extents. Everything should be contained within this, nothing should touch or break it.
Title Block – Contains all necessary information that isn’t related to the views. This is different for different companies, but basic information should always be there.
Projection Symbol – VERY important to ensure the person reading it knos what projection it is, see below for more details.
Geometric Dimensions – Used in addition to standard dimensioning, with practice these make a drawing much neater.
LEARN THESE TERMS, THEY’RE NOT DIFFICULT AND WILL HELP OUT LATER IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT.
Projection Symbol
Lines
Sheet Sizes
Assembly
Exploded
Useful Links
RoyMech website – Some useful links and references.
Selected References
British Standards Institution (2005) Product specifications. Guide to identifying criteria for specifying a service offering. BS7373-3:2005. London: British Standards Institution
Atkins C.J. (1949) Practical Engineering Drawing. Volume 2. A text-book for students for the Second
Year National Certificate in Engineering. London: The English Universities Press Ltd.
Morling K. (1969) Geometric and Engineering Drawing for CSE and GCE. London: Edwards Arnold
(Publishers) Ltd
Peach S. (1987) An Usborne Guide to Technical Drawing. London: Usborne.
Svenson, C. L. ( 1945) Machine Drawing, a text and problem book for technical students and
draftsmen. New York: D Van Nostrad Company
Jensen J, Helsel J, Short D. (2009) 7th Ed. Engineering Drawing and Design. McGraw Hill: New York.
Duff R, Ross W. (2009) Sketching for Engineering Design Visualisation. Cengage: New York.
Jackson E, (1975) Advanced Level Technical Drawing. Longman: Essex
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