The Never-Ending Magic And Official Value Of Engineering Drawings

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There is a saying: A picture is worth more than a thousand words.

Human beings have used drawing since the beginning to communicate ideas. Cave paintings show how first hominids felt the necessity of expressing themselves and letting others know about important events of their lives. This engraving process served as an archive for future generations to understand what these antique men were going thru.

The painting as an art does not follow the rules for others to follow it. An artist creates pieces to transmit their point of view, feelings, or behavior. The public consumes the painting by getting involved with the artist's sentiments expressed in the piece. There is no preparation or knowledge involved in the process. If a piece of art needs to be explained, it is not art.

What happened when we needed the idea to be interpreted in only one way without room for mistakes? We created rules.

Engineering drawing is a technical drawing used to communicate an object's design. Technical drawings evolved from the wildness of self-expression to comply with specific rules. This narrowed the communication process between creators and consumers.

Engineering drawings pass design ideas and technical information to knowledgeable people. It is the language engineers and technicians use to represent complex three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional paper or computer screens. This process is called projection.

Words go with the wind, so a long-lasting format is necessary to capture the evolution of the solutions for creators and the precision desired in the execution for the manufacturers.

Time has passed since we needed rooms full of people who mastered the art of freehand drawing. Nowadays, engineering drawings are created using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, allowing engineers to capture their solutions directly. Engineering drawings software enables engineers to create 2D and 3D models of their designs showing the product's dimensions, features, and materials.

There are many different engineering drawings, each used for a specific purpose. Some of the most common types of engineering drawings include:

• Multiview drawings:?These drawings show multiple views of an object, typically from the top, front, and side. Multiview drawings are used to provide a complete picture of an object's geometry,
• Isometric drawings:?Show the object in three dimensions, with all of the object's sides drawn at the same angle. It does focus on the object's edges. Isometric drawings give a visual representation of an object's shape,
• Assembly drawings: Show how the different parts of a product fit together and are used to help manufacturers assemble products,
• Detail drawings: Offers the detailed features of a part, such as its dimensions and tolerances. These are used to help manufacturers reproduce the characteristics of an object,
• Exploded views: These show the individual parts of a product as if they were exploded apart, giving a better idea of the composition of the object,
• Sectional views: These drawings show the interior of a part by cutting away a portion of the object. Section or cut views are picked to give as much information as possible about the interior of the part.

Engineering drawings use their own language to communicate. There are various conventions and symbols representing and standing verbal and non-verbal communication. These conventions ensure that the drawings are clear and the message is not unambiguous.

Some of the most common conventions used in engineering drawings include:

• Lines: They represent the edges and features of an object. By using different line thicknesses, designers give perspective and degrees of relevance within the drawing,
• Symbols: Are used to represent specific parts, calls to action, or uses of tools. An example of this is the Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) set of rules that communicate the intent of a design. The ASME Y14. 5 standard, for instance, establishes symbols, definitions, and regulations for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing in engineering drawings,
• Dimensions: Communicate the size and location of features on an object. The use of dimensions is a critical part when creating engineering drawings because they establish the size and define the limits of the part,
• Tolerances: Perfection is always desirable but never achievable. Specifying the allowable variation in the size and location of features on an object reflects confidence in the design and knowledge of tooling and sets safety limits for the people making the part(s),

Engineering drawings are an essential part of the advanced engineering process. They allow engineers to communicate their designs to others, becoming the reference for manufacturing. They are the link that unites theory with practice.

A poor engineering drawing leaves many questions instead of providing answers. Creates uncertainty for manufacturers and a lack of trust in the design.

Effective engineering drawings shall:

• Use clear and concise language,
• Use standard conventions and symbols,
• Use appropriate scales and dimensions,
• Use accurate and up-to-date information,
• Be carefully checked by engineering and quality,
• Be properly revised as required,
• Be controlled by authorized personnel.

Engineering drawings are a valuable tool and an essential engineering part for professionals. They allow us to communicate our designs clearly and concisely.

Accurate, effective, and easy-to-understand drawings bridge the communication between designers, the people who come up with ideas, and producers who put those ideas into practice.

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