ALPHABET OF LINES

Each line on a technical drawing has a definite meaning and is draw in a certain way. The line conventions recommended by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are used in the following figure, together with illustrations showing various applications.

Two widths of lines are recommended for use on drawings. All lines should be cleancut, dark, uniform throughout the drawing, and properly spaced for legible reproduction by all commonly used methods. Minimum spacing of 1.5 mm (.06") between parallel lines is usually satisfactory for all reduction and/or reproduction processes. The size and style of the drawing and the smallest size to which it is to be reduced govern the actual width of each line. The contrast between the two widths of lines should be distinct. Pencil leads should be hard enough to prevent smudging, but soft enough to produce dense black lines so necessary for quality reproduction. If photoreduction and blowback are not necessary, as is the case for most drafting laboratory assignments, three weights of lines may improve the appearance and legibility of the drawing. The "thin lines" may be made in two widths--regular thin lines for hidden lines and stitch lines and a somewhat thinner version for other secondary lines such as center lines, extension lines, dimension lines, leaders, section lines, phantom lines, and long-brake lines. For the "thick lines"--visible, cutting plane, and short break--use a relatively soft lead such as F or H. All thin lines should be made with a sharp medium-grade lead such as H or 2H. All lines (except construction lines) must be sharp and dark. Make construction lines with a sharp 4H or 6H lead so thin that they barely can be seen at arm's length and need not be erased. The high-quality photoreduction and reproduction processes used in the production of this book permitted the use of three weights of lines in many illustrations and drawings for increased legibility. In the above figure, the ideal lengths of all dashes are indicated. It would be well to measure the first few hidden dashes and center-line dashes you make, and then thereafter to estimate the lengths carefully by eye.