How to Create Outstanding Engineering Graphs for Reports and Presentations

Introduction The primary purpose of a technical graph is to tell a story. An outstanding graph presents a large data set in a small space such that a reader can identify trends, understand relationships between variables, and grasp an idea quickly. Very often, the reader will be a supervisor, purchasing agent, attorney, or other individual who lacks your technical background. Well-designed graphs tell a story better than text can, and will enhance your technical credibility. Microsoft Excel is the most widely used graphing software in engineering and technology because it is ubiquitous in the workplace. However, Excel was designed for business, not technology, so many of its default settings are businessoriented. For example, many nancial graphs (charts in ExcelSpeak) present quarterly results, in column form. Excels ChartWizard directs you rst to column graphs, then to line graphs (which are column graphs without the columns). Both column and line graphs plot a variable vs. a category. These categories are evenly spaced along the horizontal axis. The fth choice is the x-y (scatter) graph, which shows the relationship between two continuously varying variables. If you select a line graph to plot x-y data, the results can be misleading. Pie charts, line graphs, bar charts, and their ilk are regarded as little more than cartoons by the engineering community. Identify the Variables In a physical test, the input is the Independent Variable. The output, or result of the test, is the Dependent Variable. In almost every case, the Independent Variable is plotted on the horizontal axis (x-axis), while Dependent Variables are plotted on the vertical axis (y-axis). A signicant exception to this rule is the stress-strain curve, where an applied load (input = stress) causes a test specimen to stretch (output = strain). When you graph A vs. B , remember that A is the dependent variable, and B is the independent variable. Points and Lines The convention for technical graphs is to plot data as points. Use lines for theory, for regression lines (curve tting), or for clarity (connect the dots).
Independent Input Cars age Valve setting Tire mileage Fillet diameter Study time Temperature Dependent Output Body rust Fluid flow rate Tread depth Fatigue life Exam grade TC voltage A vs. B A

6.0

7.1

7.2

8.4

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Excel line graph spaces the data at equal intervals .

The same data on an x-y graph tells a different story

data points

data & lines

no data

B. Dupen Jan. 2006

Titles The purpose of a title is to describe what is being plotted. It may seem redundant to describe the graph in the text of a report, then describe it in a title. However, graphs are more likely to be borrowed from your report than your text. When your graph lands in someone elses report or presentation, the title provides context. Label the axes with the name of the variable, followed by the units in parentheses. For example: Temperature (F). Even better: Bath temperature (F). Regression Lines Never extrapolate beyond the range of the actual data, unless you clearly label the extrapolation as a guess, and clearly distinguish the extrapolation line from all other lines. Use an appropriate nonlinear regression if justied by the math, not just because it looks good. For example, sound level is a function of the logarithm of the distance from the source. Do not use an exponential function to t the data, even if it looks betterthe math does not support it. Grid Lines Excel automatically inserts horizontal grid lines. If you choose to include grid lines, make sure the nal product is easy to read. Generally, it is best to remove the grid unless you plan to read data off the graph.
Excel default

Average height of maple trees on IPFW campus, summer 2004

Height

Height (m)

Age

Age (years)

interpolation

extrapolation = wild guess

clean & gridless

overwhelming

Legend Excel automatically inserts a legend, labeling each data set (series in ExcelSpeak) in numerical order. If you have one set of data, delete the legend.

Series 1

Delete!

The order of symbols in a legend should parallel the arrangement of the data in the graph. For example, the topmost legend symbol should stand for the topmost line on the graph. A parallel structure is clearer, and helps the reader understand the graph more quickly.

Chickens Pigs Ducks

Ducks

not

Pigs Chickens

B. Dupen Jan. 2006

In many cases, it is better to label the data directly on the graph, rather than use a legend. Symbols, colors, and line thicknesses become confusing beyond four or ve datasets, especially if the graph will be printed in black & white. Street names and route numbers are marked directly on the roads on a conventional map. No mapmaker would consider placing street names and route numbers in a long legend at the side of the map, yet we do this routinely with technical graphs, at the expense of readability. Range Select ranges sensibly. Excel automatically sets the origin at (0,0), but you may need a different origin to show variations in the data. For example, if the voltage from a thermocouple varies from 46 to 49 mV, scale the axis to 4550, not 0-50 mV. The two graphs at the right contain the same data, but tell different stories.

50 Chickens Pigs Ducks 40 30 20 10

60

70

Look ma, no legend!

Direct labeling beats a 7-element legend

50

50 VT (mV) 0

45

The data ranges from 46 to 49 mV

Weight vs. height of high school students

Adjust the range to see the true relationship

Weight vs. height of high school students & their parents
Parents

Comparison A good graph shows values and trends; a better graph enables the reader to compare different sets of data. Comparisons occur between multiple sets of data on the same graph, and between multiple graphs presented sideby-side (as in the annual automotive issue of Consumer Reports magazine). If you plot multiple sets of data on different graphs, consider using the same ranges on the axes. The reader will nd it easier to draw comparisons. For example, if the student weights at the right were plotted from 80 to 180 lb., and the parent weights were plotted on an adjacent graph from 120 to 220 lb., the variation in parent weights would still be apparent, but the differential would disappear. Conclusion Once your graph is complete, ask the following questions: Is everything readable? Is the legend parallel to the data? Is the regression analysis appropriate? Are trends easy to spot? Is it easy to compare different sets of data? Does it tell a story?

Weight
Students

Height

This data set shows a general trend, with some scatter .

Now we have two data sets to compare . Parents weigh more, and vary more.

Above all, ask:

B. Dupen Jan. 2006