Technical drawings are essential parts of engineering industries, particularly in building and manufacturing processes regardless output or product. These are the blueprints of design and construction, which holds important details such scale, dimension, and even what kind of materials to be used. Technical drawings are also important in executing electronic circuits and design, in order to make accurate calculations and circuit simulation before assembly.
Technical drawings are vital in communicating ideas and perspectives under technical circumstances, which separates its disciplines from freehand drawing.
Half a century ago, the execution of technical drawings, or technical drafting, involves several tools and the system isn’t established just yet. Drafters make use of multiple engineering disciplines involving measurements, spatial recognition and perspective in order to make detailed technical drawing plans to be used for various purposes like manufacturing, construction or electronics.
Technology has brought so many changes in the field of technical drafting – including its methods and tools used. The principles and techniques are essentially the same, but through technology, it is executed in a more accurate manner at a faster rate.
Even with the prevalence of modern methods, students and professionals still see the importance of learning and experiencing the manual way of technical drafting. The advent of Computer Aided Design, or CAD, is the starting point of modern technical drafting, which digitized the tools and methods used.
In today’s engineering, architectural and design college courses, manual methods are still taught alongside the newer technologies or CAD software.The need for manual technical drawing is still recognized in most industries still.
Technical Drafting Methods
Technical drafting is an industry based credential which is known to be an intricate skill in putting design perspectives on paper, which becomes the basis of construction and manufacturing industries in executing their innovation ideas. Technical drafters vary in specialization in order to execute a more accurate rendition of the industry specifications and requirements according to their specific skill set and focus of study.
Drafters use two methods of executing technical drafts or drawings: either manually or instrument based, or through the use of a computer aided design tool or an engineeringCAD software. Both use the same principles of technical drawing according to specialization, but the methods are practically different.
- Manual or Instrument Based Method
This is the traditional method used to render technical drawings that use paper, drafting tools and a specialized drawing table. Basic drafting tools includes T-square, set of squares and triangular rulers, French curve sets, compass, technical pens and fine pencils. The execution is done by hand, which requires some mastery in the mechanics of drawing lines in relation to the actual dimension or measurement, done with precision, accuracy and attention to detail. Technical drawings may also require some 3D perspective, which should be rendered as well.
- Computer Aided Design
Computer aided design is the use of computer technology in lieu of the traditional tools used in a manual technical drafting method. The rendering is done in the graphical user interface (GUI) of a CAD software, containing predefined tools which functions identically to the ones used traditionally. CAD tools also offer 2D or 3D perspective option which makes it easier to execute designs at a faster rate. A special printer, or plotter, is required to print designs according to professional layouts or standards.
Advantages of Using CAD
Design is an intelligent human process ability, which can be executed in visual forms of expression. Though it seems to be a natural and inherent to somebody who has the talent for it, there lies behind it is a comprehensive list of required skills and information, which may even require mastery and utmost attention to detail. Design is related to the disciplines of engineering, in such a way that combining the two will render each other’s output to be more functional and relevant to human needs.
The computer evolution enabled our sense of space to be rendered through technology. As we know, design in the engineering context is executed manually by hand as drafters imagine it according to perspective. Using CAD, or computer aided design methods, perspectives, whether in 2D or 3D (2 or 3 dimensional), are automatically rendered based on the use of predefined tools included. In addition, designs can also be manipulated for a better view, or according to what is required by the engineer or architect.
The time and cost demands of using manually rendered technical drawings push architects and engineers to adopt more efficient ways of doing their design work. This is where computer aided design tools are beneficial, which also has the following advantages:
- CAD reduces the time of conceptualizing design because of the ease in modifying drafts since it is done electronically.
- CAD can produce outputs faster because of the presence of all tools needed within the program.
- CAD omits the cost of making errors, because it doesn’t require a constant use of paper and ink every time a revision is asked for.
- Because of the efficiency of executing design in a computer, essentially the manufacturing time is also reduced.
- Documentation is also easier to reproduce because records are created and stored electronically.
- Clients can benefit from viewing and understanding complex technical elements.
- In CAD, designs can be rendered with better quality and consistency.
- Documentation is much more detailed and clear when using CAD.
- New ideas are easily applied due to ease of using a CAD program.
Advantages of Using CAD Software
Visualization is one of the essential aspects of making high quality and visually pleasing design. Design simulation supports a more purposeful execution of design, not just merely out of aesthetic considerations. Using a top engineering CAD software can combine both important aspects of design into one working environment, which makes it easier to transfer ideas into paper, and ultimately into a tangible output.
Engineering CAD tools are being preferred to use nowadays, especially that competition is tight, and clients are more demanding. CAD tools make it easier to execute designs with greater accuracy, precision and quality. Learning how to use a CAD software just requires basic knowledge in computer operation and the same principles used in traditional technical drafting methods.
Using CAD software can implement the following advantages for the user, the business and to their clients as well:
- Document and data storage and accessibility
The design works created using a CAD software are stored in the computer and may be transferred to a centralized database for easier, multiple user access. Drawings can also be converted to different file types, and be attached to emails to be sent remotely for viewing. It can also be stored in a cloud based repository so it can be accessed or shared via the internet.
- 3D rendition and viewing
Turning design works into a three dimensional version provides different perspectives in order to better visualize it before it is applied and produced in actual. Here are other advantages of creating 3D versions of your designs:
- 3D design using CAD tools doesn’t necessitate a prototype anymore, therefore savings is achieved.
- 3D design can be created faster, and modifications are easily applied when needed.
- 3D design allows the drafter to manipulate textures and colors of design without the use of additional resources.
- 3D design outputs doesn’t need a physical space for storage, and physical raw materials to execute.
- Revision
There are basically limitless times for revision since it doesn’t utilize physical resources (even paper and ink) to begin with. A CAD software has built-in editing tools which can provide ease in executing revisions. Drawings can be also manipulated and even copied to be reused with similar designs.
- Speed and Time
Through the built-in tools of a CAD software, the user can easily execute drawings faster, which make him more productive and efficient at the same time. This can also translate to bigger cost savings in the long run.
- New Design Concept – conceptualization is quick to do using CAD tools because of the absence of physical tools in order to make drafts. One can also gain ideas from previous works, which can be easily manipulated without re-drawing.
- Output – it is rapid to return outputs since everything is done electronically, and processes are integrated with each other, including printing.
- Reduced Manufacturing time – is also achieved ultimately because of the efficiency of the whole design process.
- Accuracy and Quality of design
The accuracy and quality of design are not compromised because of the high level technologies used in creating a CAD software. Measurements can be assigned to preferred units, and can be easily converted into other metric form, for greater accuracy.
- Ease of document reproduction
Since all design works are stored electronically, there is ease in document reproduction as it can be saved in multiple storages and many users can have his or her own copy.
- Integration of actual material properties (CAD/CAM)
CAM stands for computer aided manufacturing. CAM uses CAD data to control machineries, by manipulating the measurements of the design. Fundamentally, the principle behind CAM is the use of numerical control, and since both CAM and CAD use measurements and geometrical data, they can be integrated with each other and be referred as CAD/CAM.
In CAD/CAM designs, the material used for each part, and its corresponding numerical properties can also be indicated, which can impact the simulation process when using a CAD/CAM software.
- Simulation of performance
In some types of CAD software for mechanical engineers, there is an option to simulate design works as mechanically moving parts, such as that used in CAM designs. A more advance CAD software can also make a moving presentation out of the designs, which can be important in conducting presentations to clients, for them to understand the design better.
Check out these engineering CAD software reviews for client perspective based benefits and advantages of using CAD tools for design works.
Jeev Trika
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