Introduction to Technical Drawing

Introduction One of the best ways to communicate one's ideas is through pictures, graphic illustration or
drawings. Details of engineering innovations and technical inventions are hid in drawing for the purpose
of safeguarding them. Technical/engineering drawing is a means of communicating shapes, sizes,
positions and proportion, features and precision of physical objects. The following descriptions can be
used to describe the field of technical/engineering drawing and presentation: Engineering drawing is
graphical representation of physical objects and their relationship. It is a universal language of
engineering used in design processes for solving problems quickly and accurately by visualizing objects
and conducting analysis. It can also be said to be a graphic representation of objects and structures
used to solve problems which involve special relationships. It is a mode of thinking in which two-
dimensional projections are used to visualize three-dimensional situations. It is also a means of
describing and defining processes which verbal expressions cannot adequately conveyed. It is
therefore an extension of language, and as such, an essential part of education in a technological
society. Engineering drawing communicate product design and manufacturing information in a reliable
and unambiguous manner regardless of language 1.2 Introduction Drawings are used in all fields of
engineering (agriculture, mechanical, civil, architectural, electrical, aerospace, etc.). The types of
drawings we will be creating in this book are mechanical drawings, but the concepts are all transferable
to the other engineering fields. Engineering drawing is concerned with imparting precise 16 | P a g e
information hence it is understandable that neatness and accuracy should play an important part in its
practice. Beautifully copied engineering drawings are of little value if the principles behind the work are
not fully understood and applied. These principles can be learned and practiced by using freehand,
mechanical, or computer aided design (CAD) methods. The ability to read drawing is the most important
requirement of all technical people in engineering profession. Below are the basics concepts of
engineering drawings. 1.3 Drawing language and standards Engineering drawing is a form of language in
its own right with rules and signs. Just as it is applicable to any language, certain rules (or standards)
must be followed in producing any drawing. These rules/standards define how shapes and position of
object should be represented; for instance, the order of orthographic views and different line types has
rules and specific position in order to fully describe such object. They also define how a part should be
dimensioned or tolerance. These standards are developed by some institutions or governing agencies
specifically set up for the purpose of formulating standards globally accepted and subject to update on a
5 year basis. These organizations or governing agencies include: 1. BSI - British Standards Institute 2.
ASME-American Society of Automotive Engineers 3. ANSI- American National Standards Institute 4. DIN -
Deutsches Institut fur Normung (Germany) 5. ISO - International Standards Organization The governing
agency responsible for setting the mechanical drawing standards and practices used in creating technical
drawings of mechanical parts and assemblies is the American Society of Automotive Engineers
(ASME).Considering the ASME standards for example, there are a number of documents published by
ASME that cover various aspects of mechanical drawings, here are a few of them: 1. ASME Y14.100 -
2004 Engineering drawing practices 2. ASME Y14.1 -1995 Decimal inch drawing sheet size and format 3.
ASME Y14.3M –Multi and sectional view drawings 4. ASME Y14.4M -1989 Pictorial drawing 5. ASME
Y14.5M –1994 Geometric dimensioning and tolerance 6. ASME Y14.13M -1981 Mechanical spring
representation 17 | P a g e It is important to follow these standards to ensure your drawings are
interpreted correctly by others. Always consult the standard when in doubt! 1.4 Aim of drawing The
main purpose of engineering drawings is to communicate to other engineers, machinists, etc. Drawings
do the communication best merely because a picture is worth a thousand words. Giving all of the
information needed to make the product and being accurate in that information is the main goal.
Engineers are very picky about their drawings and must pay attention to detail. 1.5 Types of drawing and
views There are terms commonly associated with graphic and engineering design drawings in various
forms and are meant to express different ideas as indicated below: Diagram: This type of drawing
depicts the function of a system represented in drawing form Sketching: This generally refers to
freehand drawing without the aid of drawing instrument Drawing: This term usually means using
instruments or drawing aids ranging from compasses to computers to bring precision to an expressed
conception in form of graphics. Drawing list: This is the list of cross references drawings that all
combined to produce an single product Parts list (bill of materials): Part listing in drawing shows
material, number/quantity and provides reference number of various components Assembly drawing:
This shows how an individual parts are combined, refers to parts list Design layout drawing: This
represents broad principles of feasible solution Arrangement drawing: This type of drawing shows
finished arrangement of assemblies, including functional andperformance requirements 18 | P a g e
Detail drawing: This is a single part drawing containing all information for fabrication. When there is a
great disparity between feature sizes, or views are overcrowded with dimensions, a detail view can be
used to capture the feature(s) of interest and display them in a removed view of greater scale. Figure 1-
1: Detail view 1.6 Engineering drawing requirements Engineering drawing requirement are conditions
that a specific drawing must meet in order to conform to global standards in such field. Such
requirements include: 1. Unambiguity and clarity: All engineering drawings must be unambiguous and
clear. Only one interpretation is possible. 2. Completeness: Every drawing must provide all information
for all stages of manufacture. i.e., detailed drawings, assembly drawings, bill of materials 3. Suitability
for duplication: Such drawing must be suitable for duplication. It must have suitable scale and clarity
such that the drawing can be copied – even micro copied – without losing quality. 19 | P a g e 4.
Language independent: The drawing must be language or Words independent and should only be used
in the title block; words should be replaced by symbols. 5. Conformity to standards: Your drawing must
be conformable to known standards. Highest standards are ISO as numerous countries learn these rules.
1.7 Professional application of technical drawing Figure 1-2 below give a list (not limited to the displayed
groups) of professional groups that are directly linked to engineering graphics in the execution of their
daily routing assignment. Figure 1-2: Engineering drawing partners 1.8 Technical drawing and
agricultural development In the following areas, technical drawing plays very vital roles in agricultural
production practice. 20 | P a g e 1. Farm planning and field layout: Technical drawing provides the
knowledge of mapping out and field measurements when laying out foundation of structures. 2.
Surveying: The knowledge of the topography of an area help in the determination of the type of farming
system to adopt. 3. Employment opportunities are created for draughtsman in the farm due to their
knowledge of technical drawing. 4. Farm structures design and construction were gained through the
basic knowledge of technical drawing 5. Implement design: Preliminary sketch of farm implements and
tools aids their design and construction in the workshop. 6. Machinery repairs: Faults diagnosis and
repairs on some machinery can only be done by tracing the diagram of the design details on the
machine layout. 1.9 Steps to planning drawing Unplanned drawing makes interpretation cumbersome
and ambiguous bearing in mind that drawing materials could be costly. Therefore starting engineering
drawing you should plan how to make the best use of your space. It is important to think about the
number of views your drawing will have and how much space you will use of the paper. Consider the
followings: Try to make maximum use of the available space. If a view has lots of detail, try and make
that view as large as possible. If necessary, draw that view on a separate sheet. If you intend to add
dimensions to the drawing, remember to leave enough space around the drawing for them to be
added later. If you are working with inks on film, plan the order in which you are drawing the lines. For
example you don't want to have to place your ruler on wet ink Exercise 1. The practice of
draughtsmanship is critical to the development of the agricultural sector. Critically justify this statement
2. In planning your routine daily schedule the place of graphic design and illustration cannot the
overemphasis. Enumerate some of the ways this will enhance your plan. 3. Make a list of some
engineering drawing standards applicable to your profession and how each is applied to effective
professional practice. 21 | P a g e