Drawing layouts and simplified methods

This chapter describes various drawing layouts and methods. A single-part drawing supplies the complete detailed information to enable a component to be manufactured without reference to other sources. It should define the shape or form and size, and should contain a specification. It must be fully dimensioned, including tolerances where necessary, to show all sizes and locations of the various features. A drawing that shows the complete product with all its components in their correct physical relationship is known as an assembly drawing. The assembly drawing may give information related to the overall dimensions of size, details of bolt sizes and centers where fixings are necessary, weights required for shipping purposes, operating details and instructions, and also, perhaps, some data regarding the design characteristics. Design layout drawings are of a preliminary nature, which are subject to modification so that the designer can collect his thoughts together. They are useful in discussing proposals with prospective customers or design teams at a time when the final product is by no means certain, and should be regarded as part of the design process. They may also be prepared for use with tenders for proposed work where the detailed design will be performed at a later date when a contract has been negotiated and the company is confident that it can ultimately design and manufacture the end product.