How Mechanical Drafting Has Evolved?

Mechanical drafting is an art for a drafter. Actually, the things we draw in mechanical drafting are those what is going to be built. However, the job of a mechanical drafter is to convey your drawing information more accurately and precisely. Or it will be better to say that drafting is the language of new-age industrial technology. Though drafting ideas establishes a connection between the draftsmen & also the engineer.

For a draftsman, his/her primary concern for technical drawing involves the following such as

• Firstly, the detailing in the drawing should be accurate.
• Then make the correct drawing with the correct technique. Which shows the quality of workmanship.
• Drawing should be neat, accurate, and precise to understand.

A Brief History

Since the dawn of civilization, also makes the existence of mechanical or engineering drawings. Ancient cultures as far back as the early Egyptians create a system. Graphically communicating construction or mechanical plans. But it was also crude by today’s standards.

Throughout history, man is using the available technology to develop & thus build tremendous engineering achievements. Many, if not all, of these feats, also relies on mechanical drawing to help them come true.

Petroglyphs in Ancient Engineering Drawings

Previous images etching into the faces of rocks by ancient cultures. Refers to petroglyph, basically a “rock inscriptions.” As a method of documentation, ancient people would engrave images also reflecting events or daily routines. Images of structures or monuments that were under construction during the period were prevalent.

A Petroglyphs, on the other hand, had a major flaw. That they couldn’t convey depth. Architectural drawings in ancient Greece lacked a feeling of depth and aspect. However, these early sketches, while useful at that time. Contains serious flaws frequently compensating for erecting structures. With incorrect measurements to deceive the vision.

Change of perception

Mechanical drawings weren’t demonstrating all three dimensions. Until the Renaissance in Europe emerges. Although, an object that is nearby. Appears larger than one that is farther away, as per the laws of perspective.

Designers and draughtsmen, therefore, didn’t succeed in creating this illusion. Inside the two-dimensional horizontal plane before the Renaissance occurs.

Technical, as well as a mechanical representation of drawings, became considerably more effective. As a result of the illusion of spatial depth. After that, scientific understanding comes with it. Allowing draftsmen to more correctly describe the objects than they meant to build.

Industrial Revolution and the Era of Machines

In that period of time, much advancement in technology was developing in the Industrial Revolution in the year 1750 – 1850. Machinery and automatic tools show unbelievable progress in the industry & agriculture field. Due to this, the mechanical drawings also become more precise.

Presently, there is a need for an increasingly complex system of machinery that portrays operational mechanical elements. The arrival of a linear three-point perspective also improved on the Renaissance classical perspective. Allowing huge advances in the fields of technical & mechanical illustrations.

In this period historians generally admit that graphic design was also initially invented.

Concept of Cutaway Drawing

A new version of mechanical or engineering drawing incorporates in the late 1800s. This view refers to as the cutaway view. Involving the projection of an object that draws as it is cleanly cut in half of the center. With a two-dimensional (2d) side elevation view.

Hence, a descriptive drawing of the inner working machine appears on the inside of the entire mechanism in the profile. Also allows Cut-off views. The engineers were thus able to see how the inner components fit into a machine. Or object’s outer case more effectively.

Automotive manufacturers thus start developing 3D cut-off views during the mid-1900s. Achieve the same fundamental by aiming at the 2D view. But also add an advantage of looking at the object in a closer way than how we actually perceive it.

Modernization In Mechanical Drafting

Nowadays, computers can draw most of the engineering drawings in the technology-driven business environment. Through the CAD Engineering Services (Computer-aided design) technology.

Although many industries can still rely on the occasional drawing of a hand. Computer software is the main medium. Vector Works, Autocad, Microstation, Corel Draw, or Adobe Illustrator is the tool that performs mechanical drawing functions.

The main advantage of these tools is the fact that you can rotate the object freely through the mouse click. Either on any axis once drafting with these tools. It also allows you to look from any angle projection (1st angle or 3rd angle) at a single illustration.

So What Actually Mechanical Drafting is?

Drafting is the conception of drawings to demonstrate how to build something in mechanical terms. It is a way to show the 3D (three-dimensional) object on a 2D (two-dimensional) horizontal plane i.e. on a sheet. Depicts how the object will get a projection on all the axis.

The draftings of 2D drawings consist of 1st and 3rd angle projections. So basically, you can draw by two different techniques.

The symbolic interpretation, the units for measurement, systems for notation. As well as the draftsmen or engineers can use the layout patterns of the drawing sheet. To understand drawings in international standards. Depending on project requirements & country standards, it compiles different symbols and appendices for reference purposes.

Drafter as a Tool in Mechanical Drawing

Information of drafting is integral to the mechanical design aspect. As well as the production process for the design of various components.

Since the most generic phrase is drafting that is useful in communication by drafters or designers. Generally, technology deals with mass production & also engineering verticals. Like aerospace, automobile, production & power sectors.

When a person gains drafting skills, the design elements help to pass the concept of being skilled in production units.

The layman will consider drafting just a tool to play with pen, pencil, and scales. But the drawings require different line heights, lines weights & sizes to show & highlight various items. That interact visually with how things are built. 

This traditional method ends up taking a large amount of time. Making it tedious and hectic to change the design. Whereas now in the production process, designers use CAD Technology.

Transition From Traditional Drafting To CAD Drafting

The emergence of paste-up drafting saves time when changing & drawing portions again. These developments and the electronic eraser change the design process.

A manual drawing involves the design process that needs to think more about design. Before starting to line up on the sheet, it took time to make changes & it could be expensive. Whereas, CAD designing was the biggest breakthrough in designing.

The transition from manual drafting to CAD drafting was also challenging for experienced designers. When they first switch to it as basic concepts were strong. Yet it was easy to cope with this new-age technology.

Several designing software companies progress immensely in the last 10 years. Typically, with the development and design of CAD tools.

To sum up,

For all engineering disciplines, it does not require the same techniques. Now it’s very difficult to be an all-rounder. And many designers master their skills of expertise in their relative field. Designers usually select their domain of interest and concentrate on developing expertise in this sector.

From where the Drafting Evolves?

The draft drawings take the assistance of computer design tools. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a new-age technology useful for drafting. Relating the use of a computer to assist in creating, analyzing, modifying the design or drawing.

Since CAD Drafting has become simpler, precise, efficient & time saver. Also, enhance communication through information.

At first, CAD creates the automotive sector & eventually with technological changes. As well as modifications incorporate into a number of industries.

The arrival of CAD drafting tools makes it easy to manage the drawing and design. Every object you see in your day-to-day life is mechanically designed and engineered.

Mechanical CAD Drafting

CAD models or illustrations reshape the design & production of components. And machinery in the manufacturing industry. The drafting technique is used in drawing sheets for the design of objects with help of pencils, rulers, and t-scale, drafters. Other related tools prior to the coming of the CAD technology.

Mechanical Drafting solution is progressing digitally and is the most demanding skill in the mechanical industry with automation in design. The upgrade with advanced features in Mechanical CAD Drafting is easier to transfer, modify designs. Replicate the existing design, and make data more secure. With its accessibility and flexibility, designers from anywhere can work & coordinate remotely.

Flaws in CAD Drafting

Substitute the word -“line weights” in place of sketching in CAD drawings. Manual drawing through hand is one of the fastest ways to learn about line work. Forging a meaningful connection within the design. Computer designing tools; however, do not place the same attention. As manual hand drawings on “line weights”.

The transformation from our illustration to production design allows the designer to develop in this industry. By applying methods and tools at his convenience. Detailing in the design such as sectional details is hard for newbie designers to understand.

Therefore, we see draftsmen sometimes taking more time to get skilled. Hand drafting is beneficial at the initial stage. Because it helps the young designers to understand the career assessment necessary to progress. More easily than CAD design.