MODULE 4

BASIC WORKING DRAWING

By definition, a working drawing is a set of graphical instructions used during the work
of making a product. A complete set of working drawings is necessary for a designer or a
drafter to make in order to communicate with the manufacturer or builder in the process of
manufacturing or construction to make the intended design of the end product.

Why are working drawings used?

The main purpose of working drawings is to communicate technical info among design
and construction team. A working drawing is a drawing or blueprint based on explanations
or a part of production information provided by the designers to the construction team to
help construct a project. It is completed with a thorough plan and views (details, notes, and
dimensions) to ensure the product construction or replication without any additional
information. This data can be used by the manufacturers to build their work or help suppliers
to create parts of the work or install/assemble the components.

Conventionally, working drawings consist of two-dimensional orthogonal projections

of the object including sections, plans, elevations, etc. A good working drawing must be
accurately drawn with appropriate symbols, notations and conventions. The criteria of a
good working drawing are listed below.
• Dimensioned well
• Drawn by referring to technical drawing standards
• Drawn in appropriate scale
• Logically and neatly arranged
• Full of appropriate information

All knowledge and skills in the previous lessons of technical drawing from the basic
principles to advanced principles are all incorporated in this module. It is important for the
drafter or student to master the knowledge and skills from the previous lessons in order to
achieve the criteria in making working drawings aforementioned above.

LET’S START!

Before we proceed to the actual lessons of this module, we must first visualize the
concept of working drawings trough blueprint reading. Below is a blueprint of a residential
building which is composed of the basic working drawings for construction. Read the blueprint
below and identify, through your mind only, the type of drawing used: multi view (front, rear,
right, left), pictorial drawing (isometric, perspective), section, etc.
 THINK AND REFLECT

After the activity, answer the following process questions:

1. In your insight, what do you understand about the making of working drawings based
on reading the blueprint?

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2. How did you identify the shape and size description of the building in the blueprint?

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 3. In your opinion, what is the importance of understanding the basic principles of
technical drawing in working drawing construction?

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Working drawings are commonly used in construction fields of studies (architectural,

structural, electrical, plumbing, etc.) because it is the best tool of communicating design
ideas by the use of graphic standards. It is also widely used in manufacturing and
technological industries such as manufacturing of goods (furniture, machines, cars, etc.)

LET’S LEVEL-UP!

You have learned previously how important to remember the knowledge and skills you
have gathered in the previous lessons so that we can use its principles and fundamentals in
this module. First, we have to review and understand more about the important lessons that
we will use in basic working drawings. The lessons below are the main components of the
basic working drawing.

❖ Shape Description

The first component of a good working drawing is that it should have pictures of a
product or an object that shows what it should look like. The shape description should show
the important features of a product or an object.

1. Multi View Drawing

One dimensional drawings that shows the features of the six principal views of
an object (orthographic drawing) namely; top view, front view, right side view, left side
view, rear view, and bottom view. Normally, only three features are showed in drawings
 if the object is simple to make (top view, front view, and right side view). The
engineering design and manufacturing activities require clear complete
communications among involved bodies. The most important thing among many others
is the shape. Since the product is three-dimensional and the communication should be
done in two-dimensional drawing, several sides of the product must be shown by
projection.

2. Pictorial Drawing

Working drawings should show a three-dimensional view of the product in order

to visualize what should the end-product should look like. A pictorial drawing is a view
of an object as it would be seen by an observer who looks at the object either in a
chosen direction or from a selected point of view. They are often more readily made
and more clearly understood than that of front, top, and side views of an object. There
are many types of pictorial drawings and these include perspective, isometric, oblique,
axonometric, etc.
3. Sectional View

Working drawings should also show sectional views to show internal features of
an object. Various objects have invisible or hidden interior features which are
represented by dotted lines in their projection views. But, when the features are too
many, the orthographic projections obtained get complicated and difficult to
understand. In order to understand the interior view details, the object is cut and what
we call a sectional view.
 4. Auxiliary View

Where features of an object are needed to show in which the principal views do
not actually show the true size and shape of an object, this is where auxiliary views
come in. Auxiliary views are only optional in working drawings when there is a necessity
to show certain features of an object. When an object has a slanted or inclined surface,
it usually is not possible to show the inclined surface in an orthographic drawing without
distortion. To present a more accurate description of any inclined surface, an additional
view, known as an auxiliary view, is usually required for complicated objects. Auxiliary
views are commonly found on many types of industrial drawings.

❖ Size Description

Dimensioning in working drawings is important to determine the specific sizes and

position of the objects intended to manufacture or construct. A dimension is a numerical
value expressed in appropriate units of measurement and used to define the size, location,
orientation, form or other geometric characteristics of a part. Dimensions can be linear,
aligned, angular, radius/diameter, and/or reference.
 It is important to determine the unit of measurement (SI, Metric or English) used in
the working drawing so not the confuse the communication between the designer and
manufacturer. Decimals are preferred rather than fractions in dimensioning working
drawings. If units are not included with each dimension, specify the units used with a note
on the drawing.

• Fundamental Rules of Dimensioning

1. Size dimensions are used to define length, width, height, diameter of circles and
radius of arcs.
2. Positon dimensions locate the center of circles and other key features.
3. The size and position of each feature is defined only once.
4. Dimension the feature in a view where its characteristic shape is shown.
5. English parts are dimensioned in inches with decimals, not fractions.
6. Metric parts are dimensioned in mm with decimals.
 7. Units are omitted from the dimension numbers since they are normally
understood to be in millimeters or inches.
8. Always leave at least 3/8 in. (10mm) between the object and the first row of
dimensions. Successive rows of dimensions should be equal and at least 0.25 in.
(6mm) apart.
9. Place dimensions outside of the views except for large circles. Keep dimensions
at least 3/8 inches or 10mm from the view.
10. Place longer dimensions outside of shorter ones.
11. Place the dimension text between the dimension lines.
12. Use arrow heads at the end of the dimension lines.
13. Inch drawings do not include a preceding zero for dimensions less than on. For
example, use 0.50 to indicate ½ inch. Metric dimensions require a preceding
zero; e.g., use 0.50 to indicate ½ millimeter.

• Examples of Wrong Dimensioning

❖ Specifications

Specifications are needed in working drawings to show a detailed description of the

design and materials used of a product. A specification often refers to a set of documented
requirements to be satisfied by a material, design, product, or service. They may have
embedded drawings but may focus more on text and must be written concisely and
specifically to avoid confusion and redundancy in delivering the desired specs. There are
different types of technical or engineering specifications (specs), and the term is used
differently in different technical contexts. But there are effectively two types of specifications;
design or product specifications (what is wanted), and application specifications (how
something is to be done in order to achieve a specific goal).

❖ Detail Drawing

A detailed drawing is commonly used for manufacturing products and construction

projects. It is the composition of the shape and size description of an object along with its
specifications. To better visualize the components of an object or a product, it is usually
broken into parts and drawn into a detailed drawing. Detailed drawing can be also a blow-
up drawing or an accessory drawing of a feature of the whole product.
❖ Assembly Drawing

A drawing of various parts of a machine or structure assembled in their relative

working positions. It conveys completed shape of the product, overall dimensions, relative
position of each part, and functional relationship among various components. When a
machine is designed, an assembly drawing or a design layout is first drawn to clearly visualize
the performance, shape, and clearances of various parts compromising the machine.
❖ Descriptive Title of a Drawing

Each drawing or notes such as the multi views (top, front side, etc.), pictorial drawing,
sections, auxiliaries, specifications, etc. in a working drawing must consist of a descriptive
title to properly determine what part of the object is drawn. Descriptive titles must be easily
recognized and distinct in a working drawing and usually written in capitalized and bold
letters.

❖ Bill of Materials

A bill of materials (BOM) is an extensive list of raw materials, components, and

instructions required to construct, manufacture, or repair a product or service. A bill of
materials usually appears in hierarchal format, with the highest level displaying the finished
product and the bottom level showing individual components. There are different types of
bills of materials specific to engineering used in the design process; they’re also specific to
the manufacturing used in the assembly process. Below is an example of a bill of materials
and cost estimate of a construction project. The construction of bill of materials varies
depending on the size of a product.
Reading Assignment 1

This assignment is a review to your previous lessons that we incorporate in constructing

working drawings. Research and draw examples of the types pictorial drawing listed below.
Pictorial Drawing Examples

Isometric Drawing
 Oblique Drawing

Perspective

Reading Assignment 2

Research one example of product specifications and one example bill of materials.
Specifications Bill of Materials
❖ Title Block

A title block is component of professional working drawing that contains data about
the drawing, such as the title of the drawing, sheet number, and the name of drafter or
designer. It may also have the company logo, copyright information, and relevant dates.
Basically, a title box is a rectangle that contains all the information needed to identify, verify,
interpret, and archive any drawing schematics. A typical title block is usually found on the
bottom of a paper sheet or drawing paper.

LET’S DO IT

Now that you’ve learned something about constructing auxiliary views, let’s try to test our
knowledge in this next activity. Describe in your own understanding the importance of
working drawings in our industry especially in industrial technology. Also research an example
of working drawings used in our industry. Examine and describe your understanding about
it.

1. In your own opinion, why is it needed to know the principles of working drawings in
the industrial technology?

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2. Give an example of basic working drawing of simple objects in manufacturing?

3. What do you understand about the working drawing you’ve researched?

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 SUGGESTED READINGS

Technical Drawing Standards

Basic Working Drawings
Mechanical/Engineering Working Drawings
Construction/Manufacturing Drawings
YouTube Videos about Constructing Working Drawings
(Note: All suggested readings above can be found in the internet or technical drawing books)

ASSESSMENT

Directions: Form a group of three people. Read the problem below and each group will do
brainstorming and solve possible solutions to the problem. The output of this activity is that
each group must make a complete set of working drawings. The group may subdivide their
work to the members. Copy the title block in the module requirements section of this course
module, and complete the information needed in the spaces provided. The group may use
as much paper sheets as you want depending on your solutions. Every group must have
different designs as much as possible because this is to test your ability in creating products.
PLATE NO.: 4 TITLE: BASIC WORKING DRAWING

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Imagine you are an owner and employees of your own furniture shop. A rich client of
yours meets with you and wanted you to make a customized bed for him. The client gives
you these considerations for the design of the bed:
1. It must be cozy and comfortable.
2. The design of the bed must be modern
3. The design of the bed must be large enough to occupy two people.
4. The color of the bed must be relaxing.
DESIGN PROCESS:

1. First of all, the group must conceptualize and analyze the design of the product.
2. Research possible solutions and designs through consultation to knowledgeable people
for the project, library or internet.
3. Collect possible solutions
4. Evaluate possible solutions.
5. Final solution (working drawing).
6. Evaluate final solution. You may make a mock-up or miniature of your project to better
visualize your idea.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

DRAWING GRADING RUBRICS

CRITERIA Description Points

Alphabet of Lines Use of line weights and proper use of 25

alphabet of lines (construction lines, object
lines, etc.)
Lettering Proportional height and use of guidelines in 15
lettering
Neatness and Proportioning and alignment of drawings; 20
Cleanliness Minimum erasures
Presentation Maximizing the worksheet area, proper 15
dimensioning
Completeness Completeness of tasks/process required in 25
the activity
TOTAL 100
SUMMARY

In this module, you have learned:

• Working drawings are used when a designer intends to design, manufacture or build
a product and communicate with the manufacturer, builder or client. They provide
dimensioned, graphical information that can be used by a contractor to construct the
works, or by suppliers to fabricate components of the works or to assemble or install
components.
• Working drawings must be complete, neat, bold, concise and specific in order to
convey the idea effectively and efficiently.
• Working drawings are drawn in various paper sizes and a number of sheets depending
on how complicated or large the product is.
• Working drawings include shape description, size description, specifications, detail and
assembly, descriptive title of each drawing, and bill of materials of the product. They
consist of two-dimensional orthogonal projections of the object or component they
are describing such as plans, sections, and elevations and are usually drawn to scale.
• Working drawings may include title blocks, dimensions, notation and symbols. It is
important that these are consistent with industry standards so that their precise
meaning is clear and can be understood.
• Specification information can be included on working drawings or in a separate
specification, but information should not be duplicated as this can become
contradictory and may cause confusion.
• The scale at which drawings are prepared should reflect the level of detail of the
information they are required to convey. Different line thickness can be used to
provide greater clarity for certain elements.

We are done with the course module and hope that you fully understood the concept
and importance of working drawings. Practice is the best recommendation to absorb more
knowledge of the concepts of technical drawing. Research and practice of the fundamentals
in technical drawing is the best recommendation the students should do. Through this, the
student can explore more and gain more knowledge about its importance in the industrial
technology.
 References

David L. Goetsch, john A. Nelson (1986). Technical Drawing & Design

French & Vierck, Engieering Drawing
Spencer/Dygdon (1980), Basic Technical Drawing
http://www.moe.gov.et/documents/20182/42882/Technical+Drawing_Grade-12.pdf
http://www.ceet.niu.edu/faculty/kim/mee270/mee270-ch8-aux-view.pdf
http://www.ceet.niu.edu/faculty/kim/mee270/mee270-ch7.pdf
http://www.ceet.niu.edu/faculty/kim/mee270/mee270-ch8-devlopment.pdf
http://www.egyptarch.gov.eg/sites/default/files/pdf/Books/architecturalpress.pdf