Building Working Drawings

The main purpose of construction drawings (also called plans, blueprints, or working drawings) is to show what is to be built, while the specifications focus on the materials, installation techniques, and quality standards. However, the distinction is not clear cut.

Most designers put basic construction information in the drawings and use the specs to elaborate on materials, techniques, and standards to be met. Others pack their drawings with written notes that cover a many of the issues commonly contained in the specs. In some cases, you’ll find the same information in both places. If there is a conflict between the specs and drawing, the specs generally override the plans, at least legally.

Our drawings are composed according to industry standards so that all the information is easily and clearly understood, and standard conventions and units are used.

Ourdrawings are two distinct types of working drawing: one is the detail drawing, which shows various views of an object and includes important information such as measurements and tolerances that the craftsperson or machine operator might need to know when manufacturing the object, or that people using the object might need to know.

The second is an assembly drawing, which shows how various components fit together during construction.

The Detail Drawing

The detail drawing conveys as much information as possible about a single component. It will be clearly labeled with a part number and name, It may include several views of the object - top, front and side - and a projection view. These drawings are annotated with information, including overall and detail dimensions, tolerances, materials, and treatments.

The Assembly Drawing

Assembly drawings show how pieces of a construction fit together. These may include an 'exploded' view, with pieces drawn separately but in correct relative positions, a 'general' assembly drawing where everything is drawn in its right place, and a detailed assembly drawing, which is a drawing of working assembly with measurements.