WST04101 

Technical Drawing 
 
Reference books
1) Jensen C(2008) Engineering Drawing and design, McGraw Hill,
2) M. V. Thomas (1982) A Guide to The Preparation of Civil Engineering Drawings, The
Macmillan Press Ltd
3) N.H. Dubey (2015) Engineering Drawing Nandu Printers & Publishers Pvt. Ltd
4) Shah M.B., Rana B.C. (2010) Engineering Drawing-Pearson

 
 LECTURE ONE. INTRODUCTION 
1. Introduction
Since earliest times people have used drawings to communicate and record ideas so that they
would not be forgotten. Graphic representation means dealing with the expression of ideas
by lines or marks impressed on a surface. A drawing is a graphic representation of a real thing.
Drafting, therefore, is a graphic language, because it uses pictures to communicate thoughts
and ideas. Because these pictures are understood by people of different nations, drafting is
referred to as a universal language.

Graphics is a visual communications language that include images, text, and numeric
information. Graphics communications using technical drawings are clear and precise language
with definite rules that must be mastered in order to be successful in engineering design.

Drawing has developed along two distinct lines, with each form having a different purpose. On
the one hand artistic drawing is concerned mainly with the expression of real or imagined
ideas of a cultural nature. Technical drawing, on the other hand, is concerned with the
expression of technical ideas or ideas of a practical nature, and it is the communication method
used in all branches of technical industry.
Even highly developed word languages are inadequate for describing the size, shape, texture
and relationship of physical objects. For every manufactured object there are drawings that
describe its physical shape and size completely and accurately, communicating engineering
concepts to manufacturing. For this reason, drafting is called the language of industry.
2. Characteristics of Technical Drawing
i). Size- The physical dimensions of length, width, and depth of a form. While these dimensions
determine the proportions of a form, its scale is determined by its size relative to other forms
in its context.
ii). Shape-The characteristic outline or surface configuration of a particular form. Shape is the
principal aspect by which we identify and categorize forms. There three basic shapes
iii). Texture- The visual and especially tactile quality given to a surface by the size, shape,
arrangement, and proportions of the parts. Texture also determines the degree to which
the surfaces of a form reflect or absorb incident light.
iv). The location -The position of a form relative to its environment or the visual field within
which it is seen.
3. Types of drawings
The graphical representation of any object or idea can be termed as drawing. A drawing can
be prepared either using free hand or using engineering instruments or using computer
program.

i). Artistic Drawing

The drawing representing any object or idea which is sketched in free hand using imagination
of artist and in which proper scaling and dimensioning is not maintained is called an artistic
drawing. Example: Painting, Posters, arts etc.

ii). Technical Drawing

Technical drawing or Engineering drawing can be defined as a graphical language used by
engineers and other technical personnel associated with the engineering profession which
fully and clearly defines the requirements for engineered items. It is a two-dimensional
representation of a three-dimensional object.

In other words, the art of representing a real or imaginary object precisely using some
graphics, symbols, letters and numbers with the help of engineering drawing instruments is
called engineering drawing. Also, the art of representing engineering objects such as
buildings, roads, machines, circuits etc. on a paper is called engineering drawing.

It is used by engineers and technologists. An engineering drawing provides all information

about size, shape, surface type, materials etc. of the object. Example: Building drawing for
civil engineers, Machine drawing for mechanical engineers, Circuit diagrams for electrical and
electronics engineers, computer graphics for one and all etc.

Table 1.Difference Between Artistic and Engineering Drawing

Artistic Drawing Engineering Drawing

Purpose of artistic drawing is to convey Purpose of engineering drawing is to
emotion or artistic sensitivity in some way. convey information about engineering
object or idea.
Can be understood by all. Need some specific knowledge or training
to understand
Scale maintaining is not necessary Scale maintaining is necessary
No special requirement of engineering Engineering drawing instruments is used to
instruments. make the drawing precise
An artistic drawing may not be numerically An engineering drawing must be
specific and informative. numerically specific and informative.
Standard drawing code need not to be Standard drawing code (like ISO, ANSI,
followed. JIS, BS etc,) must be maintained.
 
4. Purpose of Engineering drawing
It is very difficult and complex to explain some certain engineering requirements in word. In
such cases well dimensioned and properly scaled graphics can make it easy to understand
that for technical personnel. Engineering drawing serves this purpose. Any product that is to
be manufactured, fabricated, assembled, constructed, built, or subjected to any other types of
conversion process must first be designed. To make the outcome from the design
understandable to any third-party engineering drawing is the best way.

5. Applications of Engineering Drawing

Engineering drawing is an essential part of almost all engineering projects. Some important
uses of engineering drawing are mentioned below:
i). It is used in ships for navigation.
ii). For manufacturing of machines, automobiles etc.
iii). For construction of buildings, roads, bridges, dams, electrical and telecommunication structures
etc.
iv). For manufacturing of electric appliances like TV, phone, computers etc.
6. Types of Engineering Drawing
Engineering drawing can be grouped into following 4 major categories
i). Geometrical Drawing ([a] Plane geometrical drawing, [b] Solid geometrical drawing)
ii). Mechanical Engineering Drawing
iii). Civil Engineering Drawing
iv). Electrical & Electronics Engineering drawing etc.

6.1 Geometric Drawing

The art of representing geometric objects such as rectangles, squares, cubes, cones,
cylinders, spheres etc. on a paper is called geometric drawing. If the object has only 2
dimensions i.e., length and breadth (as rectangles, squares, triangles etc.), it is called Plane
geometrical drawing and if it has 3 dimensions i.e., length, breadth and thickness/depth (as
cube, prism, sphere, cylinder etc.), it is called Solid geometrical drawing.

6.2 Mechanical Engineering Drawing

The art of representing mechanical engineering objects such as machines, machine parts etc.
on a paper are called mechanical engineering drawing or machine drawing. It is used by
mechanical engineers to express mechanical engineering works and projects for actual
execution.

6.3 Civil Engineering Drawing

The art of representing civil engineering objects such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams etc.
on a paper are called civil engineering drawing. It is used by civil engineers to express civil
engineering works and projects for actual execution

6.4 Electrical Engineering Drawing

The art of representing electrical engineering objects such as motors, generators,
transformers, wiring diagrams etc. on a paper are called electrical engineering drawing. It is
used by electrical engineers to express electrical engineering works and projects for actual
execution.
The art of representing electronic circuits of TV, Phones, computers etc. on a paper are called
electronic engineering drawing or electronic drawing. It is used by electronic engineers to
express electronic engineering works and projects for actual execution.

7. Specific Purposes of Studying Technical Drawing

One needs to study civil engineering drawing for the following purposes:
i). To develop the ability to produce simple civil engineering drawing and sketches based on current
practice.
ii). To develop the skills to read and understand the drawings used in civil engineering projects.
iii). To develop a working knowledge of the layout of buildings, bridges, highways etc. and other civil
engineering structures.
iv). To develop skills in abstracting information from calculation sheets and schematic diagrams to
produce working drawings for masons, construction managers and field workers who execute civil
engineering projects.
8. Drawing Standards
An engineering drawing should be well specified and universally acceptable. That’s why there
are some specified rules for engineering drawing. These rules may vary slightly for different
regions. There are some drawing standards or drawing codes that accumulates the rules of
engineering drawing for a certain region. Well known drawing codes and their application
region is expressed below:

Table 2.Drawing Standards

Country/Region Code/Standard Full Meaning

Worldwide ISO International Organization for Standardization
USA ANSI American National Standards Institute
JAPAN JIS Japanese Industrial Standards
UK BS British Standards

9. drawing codes and their application region is expressed belowDrawing Instruments

The clarity and accuracy of a drawing depends on the quality of instruments used and the skill
employed while using them. A list of essential drawing instruments is given below which is by
no means exhaustive but adequate for the purposes of the students. A few instruments, widely
used by professionals are deliberately left out as they are not needed by students.
i). Drawing Board
ii). T-Square
iii). Drawing Pencils
iv). Set Square
v). Ink Pen
 vi). Erasers
vii). Dusters
viii). Drawing Sheets
ix). Drawing pins, Adhesive tapes
x). Compass
xi). Dividers
xii). Scales
xiii). Protractor
xiv). French Curves
xv). Templates

The above instruments and materials are sufficient to produce a required drawing easily, neatly
and accurately.

Exercise 01

Border line
LECTURE TWO. DRAFTING 
10. ENGINEERING DRAFTING
Drafting—drawing with the aid of straightedges, triangles, templates, compasses, and scales is
the traditional means of creating engineering graphics and representation, and it remains
relevant in an increasingly technical world. Drawing a line with a pen or pencil incorporates a
kinesthetics sense of direction and length, and is a tactile act that feeds back into the mind in a
way that reinforces the structure of the resulting graphic image.

4.1 Line
Point extended becomes a line. Conceptually, a line has length, but no width or depth. Whereas
a point is by nature static, a line, in describing the path of a point in motion, is capable of
visually expressing direction, movement, and growth.

Line can use in:

i). join, link, support, surround, or intersect other visual elements

ii). describe the edges of and give shape to planes

iii). articulate the surfaces of planes

 4.2 Lines Weights
Engineering drawings are prepared with the help of lines. These lines are drawn using two
thicknesses, usually, specified as thin and thick. The recommended ratio of thicknesses of thick
to thin line is at least 2:1. The recommended range of thicknesses is 0.25, 0.35, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0,
1.4, 2.0mm.

The thickness to be used should be chosen from the above range depending upon the size and
type of drawing. For all the views of a particular object, all the thin lines should be of same
uniform selected thickness, and similarly, all the thick lines should also be of the same selected
thickness for thick lines.

4.3 Type of lines and their applications

i). Continuous thick
ii). Continuous thin
iii). Continuous zigzag
iv). Dashed thick
v). Dashed thin
vi). Chain Thin
vii). Chain thick
viii). Continuous thin wavy
ix). Chain thin double dashed

4.4 Drafting Techniques

While Drawing Controlling the pen or pencil is the key to producing good quality drawing and
proper line weights.

4.4.1 Drawing Lines

i). Draw with a relaxed hand; do not squeeze the pencil or pen too hard.
ii). Hold the pen or pencil a couple of inches back from the nib or point; do not hold the
instrument too close to the nib or point.
iii). Control the movement of your pen or pencil with your arm and hand, not just with your
fingers.
iv). Pull the pen or pencil as you draw; do not push the shaft of the instrument as you would
a cue stick.
v). Look ahead to where the line is headed.
vi). Position your body to draw over the upper straightedge of a T-square, parallel rule, or
triangle, never the lower edge.
 vii). Hold the pencil at a 45° to 60° angle; hold technical pens at a slightly steeper angle.
viii). Pull the pen or pencil along the straightedge in a plane perpendicular to the drawing
surface, leaving a very slight gap between the straightedge and the nib of the pen or the
point of the pencil. Do not push the pen or pencil as if it were a cue stick.
ix). Draw with a steady pace not too fast, not too slowly and with even pressure. This will
help prevent a line from feathering or fading out along its length.
x). To help a pencil point wear evenly and keep it fairly sharp, rotate the shaft of the lead
holder or mechanical pencil between your thumb and forefinger slowly as you draw the
entire length of a line.
xi). A line should start and end in a positive manner. Applying slight additional pressure at
the beginning and ending of a stroke will help accomplish this.
xii). Strive for single-stroke lines. Achieving the desired line weight, however, may require
drawing a series of closely spaced lines.
xiii). Try to keep drawings clean by washing hands and equipment often, and by lifting and
moving tools rather than dragging or sliding them across the drawing surface
xiv). Protect the drawing surface by keeping areas of it covered with lightweight tracing
paper and exposing only the area in which you are working. The transparency of the
tracing paper helps maintain a visual connection to the context of the drawing.
xv). When drawing vertical lines perpendicular to the edge of the T-square or parallel rule,
use a drafting triangle and turn your body so that you can draw them in a manner similar
to the way you draw horizontal lines.
xvi). Avoid simply drawing the vertical lines by sitting still and sliding the pen or pencil up
or down the edge of the triangle.

4.4.2 Subdividing Line Segments

xvii). In principle, it is always advisable to work from the larger part to the smaller. The
successive repetition of short lengths or measurements can often result in an
accumulation of minute errors. It is therefore advantageous to be able to subdivide an
overall length into a number of equal parts.

4.4.3 Constructing Angles & Shapes

xviii). We use the standard drafting triangles to construct 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° angles. Using
both 45°–45° and 30°–60° triangles in combination, we can also easily construct 15°
and 75° angles. For other angles, use a protractor or an adjustable triangle.
4.4.4 Drawing Circular Elements
xix). To avoid drawing a mismatched tangent to a circle or curved line segment, always draw
the curvilinear element first.
xx). Then draw the tangent from the circle or arc.
xxi). Care should be taken to match the pen or pencil line weights of circles and arcs to the
rest of the drawing.

4.5 Working Drawings

Working drawings are the set of technical drawings used during the manufacturing phase of a
product. They contain all the information needed to manufacture, construct and assemble a
product.

i). Drawing sheet Layout

Standard layouts of drawing sheets are specified by the various standards organizations.
A typical sheet, contains drawing frame, tittle block, and revision table.

4.5.1 Sheet Frame

It is standard practice for a drawing frame to be printed on each sheet, defining a margin
around the outside of drawing area.

4.5.2 Title block

The title block is normally placed in the bottom right of the drawing frame, and it should
contain the information:
 The name of the company or organization
 The title of the drawing
 The drawing numbers
 The scale
 The name of draftsman, checker, and designer
 Revision number
 Sheet number
 Other information required such as surface finish

4.5.3 Revision Table

A revision table is normally located in the upper right of the drawing frame. All modifications
to the drawing should be documented there.

Exercise 02

Title block