It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This proverb is very true when communicating ideas to solve problems. To properly communicate technical information about objects that must be manufactured, fluency in the universal language of technical drawing is required. One of the first steps to learning this language is developing the ability to sketch.
Visualizing, communicating, exploring, and documenting ideas occur throughout the process of design. The process begins when a client and an engineer meet for the first time to define a problem; when research requires field measurements to be taken so that a scenario can be replicated; when an idea occurs during lunch and must be quickly recorded on a napkin before it is lost; when teams of people feed off each other’s ideas and brainstorm possible solutions; when an engineer works out the details of a design solution so that it can be prototyped and tested; and when a solution has been proven to work and must be documented for reproduction.
Technical sketching differs from technical drawing: technical sketches are made with a pencil, paper, and an idea, while technical drawing advances a sketch to follow specific technical drawing guidelines that employ the use of tools, such as isometric graph paper and the aid of a computer. Likewise, technical sketching differs from artistic sketching. Technical sketches follow the same standards that govern the development of technical drawings except the sketches are done freehand.
Standards: STEM-FET-5.3 Use precision tools and instruments to measure and convert units. STEM-FET-6.3 Refine a design by using technical sketches, prototypes and modeling to ensure quality, efficiency, and productivity of the final product.
Target Outcomes: Why are engineering drawings important? What kids of drawings are most useful in engineering? Demonstrate how to draw an orthographic and isometric sketch. How do we use scale when creating engineering drawings?
Unit Topics: Measurement Types of Engineering Drawings Scale Visualization Vocabulary: Scale Measurement Orthographic Isometric Oblique Pictorial