If the architects were to choose between the computer generated drafting and the plain old pen and pencil drafting, most of them will probably choose the latter. The drafting table is the architect's workplace; his/her shrine. Even with the recent advancements in technology which have totally eased up the process of drafting, many people still hold onto the conventional drafting table methods.
The drafted tables are generally supported by steel structures. The steel table has the advantage over the oak wood table as it is more portable and gives the same strength. The top surface of the table consists of a layer of fiberboard that is tightly packed. This layer is then laminated by formica sheets to give it a glazed feel. Screws are used to attach the top surface to the metallic frame and if the table requires to be transported the screwed top surface can very easily be unscrewed.
The basic advantage of the steel frame is that mechanical linkages and contraptions can be fixed in the frame of the table. This way the height and angle of the top surface of the drafting table can be adjusted according to user requirements. A clutch controls the position of the surface board. This clutch is in turn controlled by a foot paddle.
A heavy lead counterweight averts the top surface from springing up straight and causing danger to the user if the foot paddle were to be suddenly released. But if you want this safety measure to keep working properly, appropriate maintenance steps should be taken regarding the clutch and the linkages incorporated in the table frame.
The drafting table surface is covered with the help of a board cover. It is a thin vinyl sheet meant to give the surface its glossy smooth feel. It also helps in providing a favorable surface for drafting with the help of a pen and a pencil. This way the compasses and dividers, used in drafting, do not sabotage the wooden surface of the board.
To avoid new drawings from looking unclean due to accumulation of graphite on the surface of the table, the top surface needs to be cleaned in a regular manner. The pencils are held by a strip of aluminum that can be found at the bottom edge of the drafted table. Sometimes steel trays are attached to the table. Some tables have a purpose built tray that holds the pencils and pens even when the top surface is being adjusted on the table.
Drafting equipment such as the parallel rulers may be attached to the table. The parallel ruler runs parallel to the top of the board for the complete width of the table. They can be adjusted along the length. Such instrument is pre calibrated and serve the purpose of helping the draftsman with his/her measurements. Simple projectors, with a few adjustments, can be made into multi- touch tables using materials easily available from the hardware store.
Some of the drafting tables are motorized. This reduces their portability. But they are more convenient as adjustments can be made using a pushbutton. General cost of these tables is US $120 and more.
In the contemporary world and so much to choose from, purchasing a PERFECT drafting table can be a REAL challenge. For FREE tips and info on portable drafting table, visit: Drafting Table blog.
[ add comment ] ( 6 views ) | permalink |
( 3.1 / 103 )Structural drafting standards are based on the best practices and on engineering codes set up by The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and The American Standards Institute (ANSI). Structural drawing practices refer to a style or quality of a drawing provided by the individual drafter to the job. It is characterized by crisp black line work, lettering, consistency, and uniformity. The production of precise detail drawings is an art and real engineering accomplishment.
The actual concept of a structural framework should be provided on the architect/engineer's design drawings. These drawings are converted into detail drawings to provide necessary instructions for the shop fabrication and assembly installation of the different structural members. Through the shop drawings the CAD draftsman pass on all technical information required for the shop to fabricate the structural components.
To prepare required drawings with accuracy, the draftsman must have a comprehensive knowledge of the standard engineering specifications, better understanding of the shop fabrication and field erection process, and should have necessary skills for structural drafting. Hence, it is obvious that the structural drafter develop optimum drawing skills.
Drawing Numbers:
All structural drawings must be marked using the standard designation. Usually, drawings are numbered consecutively with a letter "S" (S1, S2, etc.)
Drawing Scales:
The standard unit for structural dimensions is feet. Usually, the scale is marked as feet and inches. Any scale based on an "Architect's Scale" can be utilized for structural drawings.
Titles:
All things on a drawing must have a title such as a plan view, elevation, section, detail, note column, etc. Titles are mentioned bold enough to catch the viewers' eye. To give prominence, the titles are underlined. Single line, a double line, or a combination of thin and thick lines can be used for underlining.
Dimensioning:
The style of dimensioning in structural drafting is the same style used in common architectural drawings. The dimension line is a continuous, unbroken line with the dimension figure placed above the line. Its obvious that to not place the dimension figure below the dimension line.
About the Author
Should you have any queries or need more information on structural drafting standards, please feel free to contact us. Email us at info@outsourcestructuraldrafting.com
Visit us at http://www.outsourcestructuraldrafting.com/ to get more information.
Richard Bose is structural engineer at OSD - an established Structural Engineering consultants offering full services such as structural design analysis, structural drafting and shop drawings services at affordable rates. Email us info@outsourcestructuraldrafting.com
[ add comment ] ( 2 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 115 )Some recent anthropologists regard the amusements of the chase, as cultivated by civilized men hunting, fishing, and the like as "traces in modern civilization of original barbarism." If there is any truth in this theory, then the writer must confess that he is in a large measure a barbarian. But for years of devotion to life in the woods a devotion that is paralleled only in the religious devotee this little book would not have been written. Because the writer loves camp-life, and wishes to augment its pleasures, he sends forth this little volume, sure that his effort will be appreciated by all those in whom can be found "traces of original barbarism." The theme, Log Cabins, How to Build and Furnish Them, may savor a little too much of the technical and practical. But, then, as the most beautiful and fragrant flowers and delicious fruits must have their roots in the soil, so all the higher and more ethereal pleasures and benefits must, in civilization, be rooted in the practical and technical.
If in the desire for a return to the woods you discover elements of an uncivilized condition, that is no reason why you should go to the woods in a barbaric fashion. The modern representative of city life must not dream of going to the woods and living like a savage " in caves and dens of the earth,'' nor must he attempt to assume the remoter " arboreal habits " of the " hairy biped." As man has brought with him from barbarism to civilization traces of his original condition, so he must take back to " the forest primeval" sonic traces of his civilization. There is one obvious difference between our remote ancestors and ourselves. They lived in caves and dens, hunted and fished, because of necessity and inability to live in any other way. We migrate to the woods, hunt and fish from choice ; we go for change, recuperation, pleasure, health. We aim to treasure up energies in order to better sustain the tension of civilization. Health is imperative, and demands a dwelling in the woods in many points resembling a civilized one.
Camp structures may be classified as temporary and permanent. The temporary includethe various forms of "shelter " illustrated and described on pages 39 to 42 ; the permanent, that class of buildings made with more durable materials than the "shelter" such as stones, logs, slabs, shingle or bark. The temporary class of structures is referred to only because in almost every case a shelter must precede the permanent structure.
[ add comment ] ( 3 views ) | permalink | related link |
( 3 / 115 )A scaled drawing is one where an object that is being drawn is large or the object to be represented in the drawing is such a size that it's impossible to draw full size on a sheet that can be conveniently handled in the shop where a part is being fabricated. In such cases, the drawing is made at a reduced scale, and is called a scaled drawing.
The text book defintion is: "A scaled drawing is one in which the length of all the lines of the drawing bears a definite ratio to the length of the corresponding lines of the object. Thus in a drawing made one-half size, each line of the drawing will be one-half the length of the corresponding line of the object."
Say for instance you are creating fabrication drawings for a dumpster. If you draw this to full scale the paper would have to be in excess of ten feet tall by sixteen feet long. This would be a hard drawing to drag around a welding shop so we would reduce it to one eight it's size on the paper. Once reduced, it would fit on a two foot tall by three foot long sheet of paper. A note or label would then be placed on the drawing that says 1/8" = 1" (one eigth inch equals one inch) so that it can be measured using a scaled ruler.
With this type of scaling, more than one view of the item we are drawing can be placed on a sheet like the front, rear, side or sides, bottom, top, and even an angled view called an isometric view.
About the Author
Tim Davis, a fully trained general drafter with 20 plus years experience, has created a virtual drafting school where many of these drafting disciplines are taught in a easy to understand format at http://101info.org.
[ add comment ] ( 2 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 109 )Even before a set of architectural drawings is created, its necessary to determine if a building will fit on a piece of real estate. This is where a site plan comes into play. No complete set of architectural plans is really complete without the site plan. A site plan, also known as a plot plan, is a drawing representing a piece of property where a building is going to be placed or remodeled.
Whats included in a Site Plan
Boundaries: The boundary is the measurement and angles of lines that defines a piece of real estate. These are measured by using coordinates of a line with their distance from one point to the other. For instance if a lines coordinates are N32d1532E ~ 325.0, it means the line is started in a north easterly section that is angled thirty two degrees, fifteen minutes, thirty two seconds by a distance of three hundred twenty five feet. After all the boundary lines are complete it should represent a closed area.
Building Footprint: This is the representation or drawing of the perimeter of the structure that is to be built on the property. This will include porches, and decks attached to the house.
Setbacks and Easements: Setbacks are the lines where local municipalities have ordered that a structure cannot cross and easements are where utilities like sewer or power lines cross the properties area.
Roadways: These are the roads that are touching the property. If no road is accessible from the land a right of way must exist so that the owner can have access to their property.
Driveways and Walkways: These show where vehicle access, parking and foot access are located in relation to the house.
Utility Locations: This is where access to services like water, power, sewer, or septic tanks are shown on the drawings.
Topography: A representation of the surface features of a piece of property, indicating their relative positions and heights of the ground.
About the Author
Tim Davis is a seasoned drafter and teacher who has developed a class on drawing site plans at http://siteplans.8m.com/ This course is part of his classes on how to draw complete house plans at http://houseplandrafting101.com which can be taken separately or together.
Other Places Where This Article Is Featured:
* http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-a-Sit ... id=3452451
* http://draftingservice.us/homes/surveyi ... -plan.html
* http://pcimunity.blogspot.com/2009/12/w ... -plan.html
[ add comment ] ( 3 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 123 )
Calendar
