ENGINEERING DRAWING KEJ-3103

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Graphics Communication

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the graphic language and tools of the engineer and technologist. This chapter reveals the role of technical drawing as an effective tool to: Communicate engineering concepts, Relate past developments to modern practices, and Examine current industry trends This chapter covers the basic notions and the terminology required to understand technical drawing AND offers an overview of the tools, underlying principles, standards, and conventions of engineering graphics.

OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW After completing this chapter, you will be able to: Describe why the use of graphics is an effective means of communicating when designing. pp. 2-7 Describe the engineering design process and the role graphics play. pp. 7-16 Describe the model-centered design process. pp. 10-11 Explain the role 3-D modeling plays in the engineering design process. p. 29 Describe the role of CM, PLM, and PDM in the engineering enterprise. p. 13 Describe the important types of graphics used to support the engineering design process. pp. 17-19 List and describe the modeling techniques used in design. p. 21 List and describe the analysis techniques used in design. p. 25 Describe additional technologies used to capture data, output, and visualize 3-D models. pp. 45-51

1.1 INTRODUCTION Engineering design involves several features that cannot be communicated verbally, but are rather visual images in the mind (of the designer). Graphics communication plays an inevitable role in engineering design.

1.1 INTRODUCTION Technical graphics involves communicating such information in a nonverbal manner. A visual image is formed in the mind (of the designer), reviewed, modified, and ultimately communicated to another person, all using visual and graphics processes.

1.1 INTRODUCTION Sharing technical information graphically is becoming an important process for both engineers and technologists due to the involvement of nontechnical people in the design process. With the continued expansion of the circle of people requiring technical information, efficient tools such as computer graphics have become an inevitable part of the design process.

1.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAPHICS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS During the design process, technical graphics serves as an effective media for visualization, communication, and documentation. Graphical representations are used both for modifying 3-D objects from an initial design and also for creating such objects from scratch. Computer-based renderings of such models not only facilitate representing huge amounts of detail, but also help communicate the design among the people involved.

1.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAPHICS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS Visualization, the process of envisioning things that do not exist, is the foremost step in the utilization of graphics for design. Communication involves refining the initial sketches from the earlier step and conveying them with clarity. Once the design solution is finalized, it needs to be documented before the actual process of creation can take place. Technical graphics plays a crucial role in all the three processes mentioned above.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS Engineering design represents both the action (process) and the result (product). Engineering design relies heavily on graphics and uses graphics as a tool both to visualize potential solutions and to document the design for communication.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS The use of innovative computer-based tools has allowed greater flexibility in information access and utilization. 3-D design tools such as CAD have facilitated the shift from the traditional linear approach to a model-centered, nonlinear approach wherein the input, processes, and output elements can be integrated at the very beginning. The engineering design process consists of three overlapping areas, namely ideation, refinement, and implementation, all of which share the same 3-D CAD database.

IDEATION Ideation, the conceptual phase in the design process, refers to the structured approach to thinking for the purpose of solving a problem. During the ideation phase, rough sketches and conceptual computer models called ideation drawings or models are produced.

REFINEMENT Refinement, the second major step in the engineering design process, refers to the iterative process of testing the preliminary design, make required changes, and determining if the design meets the goals of the project. The refinement stage is extremely dependent on graphics to document, visualize, analyze, and communicate the design idea. These drawings and computer models are called refinement drawings or design drawings.

IMPLEMENTATION Implementation is the final phase in engineering design wherein the final design is transformed from an idea into a product, process, or structure. The implementation process involves making the design solution a reality for the enterprise and the consumer.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS With the rise of the model-centered engineering paradigm, an enterprise-wide integrated product development process called collaborative engineering evolved. Collaborative engineering creates the infrastructure and the optimal environment for computer-based team collaboration for information storage and sharing.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS Configuration management (CM) and product data management (PDM) software programs are used to manage long-term overall design/manufacture processes. Such software programs inherently incorporate Internet browser interfaces, which are essential for linking operations spanning multiple locations.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS The term product data management (PDM) refers to the specific computer-based tools and processes used to manage this information. PDM software is used to track CAD and other documents with user-defined data fields, and information stored in one file is linked to other business modules/systems within the enterprise.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS Manufacturing a new product entails the involvement and contributions of all of a companys departments, and this simultaneous collaboration is made possible by a model called PLM (Product Lifecycle Management). PLM enables creating, managing, simulating, sharing, and communicating digitally all the information related to the companys products, processes, and resources, optimizing its overall performance.

1.3 THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS The use of computers in the design process can facilitate good communication between members of the design team. Design projects are grouped as: Modification of an existing design Improvement of an existing design Development of a new product

1.4 STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS

An agreed-upon standard of signs and symbols is absolutely inevitable for effective communication. The graphics language must follow a set of standards and conventions for effective and clear communication involving technical graphics. Conventions are commonly accepted practices, rules, or methods used in technical drawing., e.g. Dashed lines is commonly used to represent hidden section.

1.4 STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS Standards are set of rules that govern how technical drawings are represented. Standards ensure that drawings convey the same information to everyone who reads them.

1.5 GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES Similar to the evolution of the graphics language over the years, with advancements in technology, the tools used for graphically communicating technical ideas have also undergone considerable evolution over time. These tools have evolved from traditional paperand-pencil-based tools to sophisticated computer-aided design/drafting (CAD) systems. CAD refers to the computer software and hardware that supplements or replaces traditional hand tools in creating models and technical drawings.