How to Read Engineering Drawings: 5 Steps (with Pictures)

Table of contents:

How to Read Engineering Drawings: 5 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Read Engineering Drawings: 5 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Read Engineering Drawings: 5 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Read Engineering Drawings: 5 Steps (with Pictures)
Video: How to Read engineering drawings and symbols tutorial - part design 2024, November
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Engineering drawings are commonly used as visual aids when constructing houses, bridges, and other buildings. Although immediately understandable by those skilled in engineering or architecture, drawings like this can be difficult to interpret for the layman. Knowing how to read engineering drawings can help you better understand building plans.

Step

Read Engineering Drawings Step 1
Read Engineering Drawings Step 1

Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the image scale

Understanding the size of a particular item is important when reading engineering drawings. Although most engineering drawings are made in the 1/4-1/8 inch (0.55-0, 275 centimeter) "scale" version per foot, other scales can be used for very large buildings. Always scale an image before examining it in detail. If the scale is not clearly indicated on the drawing, clarify it with the technician who drew it

Read Engineering Drawings Step 2
Read Engineering Drawings Step 2

Step 2. Understand the basic symbols used in technical drawings

Since these images are made on a small scale, the use of symbols is often necessary. Although there are many different symbols, understanding some basic symbols can help you when reading technical drawings. Some of the common symbols used most often in engineering drawings include rectangles, circles, and triangles. As with determining the scale, consulting with the engineer who created the drawing can help you understand the symbols used

Read Engineering Drawings Step 3
Read Engineering Drawings Step 3

Step 3. Find the circled number

As discussed earlier, engineering drawings are generally done on a scale so small that it is impossible to detail. For this reason, engineers often add circled numbers to certain parts of the drawing. This circled number indicates that the designated area is shown in greater detail on another page

Read Engineering Drawings Step 4
Read Engineering Drawings Step 4

Step 4. Recognize special abbreviations

Abbreviations are a useful tool for engineers. Like symbols, abbreviations can signify forms, processes, and even dimensions through a few letters. Some of the most common abbreviations used in engineering drawings include DP, which stands for depth, and DIA, which means diameter

Read Engineering Drawings Step 5
Read Engineering Drawings Step 5

Step 5. Work with colleagues

When other methods fail, consult another professional to clarify the picture better. While it may be embarrassing to admit that you have trouble interpreting drawings, those who often work with technical drawings and understand them will help you read them. Ask a "know-what" individual about the project to clarify anything you don't understand; it is better to do this in the early stages of the project than to run into problems later on due to improper reading of technical drawings

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