Mechanical Drawing
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Info on mechanical drawing, schematics, symbols, etc.

Table of Contents

Canned Solutions

  • inPHorm software - Parker O-Rings has some software packages that can be downloaded for free (at this time) to assist in the design of O-ring seals, tubing, fittings, and a lot more.

Basic stuff

OK, so you need to render some idea in a form that other people can understand it.  Or perhaps you simply want to get it down on paper to hammer out details.  Either way, it can be daunting.  One book that comes highly recommended from its readership is Building Scientific Apparatus : A Practical Guide to Design and Construction.  It is a general guide that seems to cover the basics to get you started and then some.  For many, it could be the only reference you need.

Software

This is a sticky one because some people are a little too zealous about this topic. One of the drafting industry standards is AutoCAD, but it's pricey and a pain in the butt.  I worked in a lab with a legitimate copy with a hardware lock and it seemed to have about a 50% chance to trash your computer if you tried to use it.  Too much of a hassle for me.  There are many different CAD programs, shop around.

What I use: I tend to use CorelDraw, and it works well for most of what I need to do.  It's not a drafting program, so good 3D rendering is very difficult if not impossible.  It does have an dimensioning tool which is quite handy.  I do not endorse it as the best or only option.  I am confident that whatever drawing program you have experience with would be a good choice.  I can also use CorelDraw for other stuff, so it is a dual benefit for me to use it.  I have used CADs, and after a little while, correct drawings were easy to render.

CAD vs. Drawing Programs: CAD and drawings programs tend to have a learning curve, but it seems that many people find CAD logic a little difficult to deal with.  Once you get in the swing of things, both are pretty easy to use.  If you can surmount the learning curve for a CAD program, it can be faster to use than a drawing program, but of course, you can really only use a CAD for drafting.  CAD logic can fade too easily it seems, so I suppose that unless you plan to do it as a job, learning a drawing program might be a more well-rounded time investment.  Also, when you just need a simple, 2D figure, as I often do, a CAD seems ridiculously overpowered.

What do you use?  Please, give me your feedback and opinions.  Researchers have varying needs when it comes to drafting, and I would love to hear from you via my cool questions/comments form!

Electrical schematics

Fortunately, this seems to be the most commonly asked for information, so it is pretty easy to find.  Some compilations of symbols and how to use them can be found in:

Mechanical schematics

When I find some standard collection of symbols and/or standards, I'll post them.  If you know of any, please let me know via my cool questions/comments form!

Reference compilation

  • Building Scientific Apparatus : A Practical Guide to Design and Construction.  By John H. Moore, Davis C. Christopher, Michael A. Coplan, Christopher C. Davis.
    • This book appears to be one of the best general books on its topic.  All reviews about it are very good, and it is quite possibly the only book a researcher would need on the subject.  I just discovered it, so I will have to check into it.
  • Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers.  Edited by Eugene A. Avallone and Theodore Baumeister III.  Also available on CD-ROM.
    • I find cool stuff in this book every time I look through it.  It has mechanical specs on screws, a description of various steels and why you would want to use them, stress formulae, and a lot more.  It lives up to its modest title and goes beyond.  Very worth having, I would recommend that any experimental scientist that plans to build an apparatus buy a copy for their personal library.

 
Questions? Comments? Please let me know via my questions/comments form!