740900912.

doc

Each line on a drawing, by nature of its format

and thickness, has a different meaning to help
guide the reader

Typical lines include

740900912.doc
Page 1 of 12
 740900912.doc

A centerline divides a part into symmetrical

halves. It is formed from a series of long and short
dashes

Dimension lines are thin with arrowheads. The

arrowheads contact the extension lines. Dimension
lines may be broken in their centre with the
dimension insert or they may be continuous with
the dimension above, below or beside it

A leader line is a thin line with an arrowhead. It

joins a callout on the drawing with the point to
which the callout is referring

A short break line shows where a part is broken

away from the view is a thick wavy line

740900912.doc
Page 2 of 12
 740900912.doc

Long break lines are straight lines with zig zags

inserted, this shows the line is not continuous

Extension Lines are thin lines when it it not

desirable to have the dimensions directly on the
component. Dimension line arrows contact the
extension lines

Phantom lines show reference to a part for its

location. They are medium weight and made of
long dashes and two short dashes

The outline is a thick continuous line

740900912.doc
Page 3 of 12
 740900912.doc

A hidden line, showing that part of the component

not visible in the view, is a medium weight dashed
line

Where a part may be installed or view in more than

one mode or configuration the various positions are
shown by a thin dashed line

When a component is shown sectioned or cutaway

the section lines are shown as thick lines with
arrowheads to indicate the direction of view

740900912.doc
Page 4 of 12
 740900912.doc

When a section view is made of a component the

various materials of the component may be
identified by the various section lines that are
standard references.

When the
materials that
make up a
component are
stated by
specifications, the
cast iron standard
(diagonal lines)
can be used for
all materials

740900912.doc
Page 5 of 12
 740900912.doc

Notes
Where further information is needed on a diagram
of where there is inadequate room to show the
information next to the object notes are used

Notes which are general to the drawing are not

marked

If, however the note applies specifically to a

component or a part of the drawing, its number is
placed inside a triangle, square or hexagon (or
some other shape)

This figure shows

that Note 1 refers
to a capacitor in
this electrical
circuit

Note 8 provides other further information

740900912.doc
Page 6 of 12
 740900912.doc

Dimensions and Tolerances

Dimensions should not be referred to by scaling the
drawing – the paper can shrink giving an inaccurate
indication

Another problem is that copy and scanning

machines may alter the proportions of a finished
drawing and its exact sizes and shapes may not
now be represented accurately

Dimensions may be placed on the component or

through
extension lines.

The dimensions
are placed
according to
what is practical
in the situation

Tolerances may be expressed through

the dimensions or a notation block

740900912.doc
Page 7 of 12
 740900912.doc

Dimensioning Drawings
Dimensioning Isometric
Drawings

Dimensioning Angles

740900912.doc
Page 8 of 12
 740900912.doc

Dimensioning Circles

Dimensioning Holes

740900912.doc
Page 9 of 12
 740900912.doc
Dimensioning Tapers

740900912.doc
Page 10 of 12
 740900912.doc

Drawing Sizes
To make for convenient storage and folding

There are two standards in common use

The Metric or International Standard, and the U.S.

Standard
ISO A Drawing Sizes (mm)
A4 210 x 297
A3 297 x 420
A2 420 x 594
A1 594 x 841
A0 841 x 1189

The metric sizes allow the paper to be readily

doubled or halved in size by folding and allowed
drawings to be reduced or enlarged to the next size
without paper waste

U.S. Customary Drawing Sizes

A 8.5” x 11”
B 11” x 17”
C 17” x 22”
D 22” x 34”
E 34” x 44”
D1 24” x 36”
E1 30” x 42”

Larger drawings are drawn and stored in rolls

740900912.doc
Page 11 of 12
 740900912.doc

Zones
Larger drawings contain so much information that
a system of zones is employed

Along the right hand border of the drawing, starting

at the title block and going upward, are a series of
letters

Along the lower border are a series of numbers –

beginning with 0 at the right edge and increasing to
the left for the length of the drawing

A note may reference to part of the drawing

identified as C-8.

The part referenced will be close to these co

ordinate zone numbers/letters

740900912.doc
Page 12 of 12