DETAILED WELDMENT DRAWINGS

GETTING STARTED

1. DRT-Machining. Example Product. 1 Feb. 2010. <http://www.drtmachining.com/info.html>.
2. Plotter Paper. Graytex Paper. 1 Feb. 2010. <http://www.graytex.com/pen-plotter-paper.htm>.





What is a detailed engineering drawing?
A detailed engineering drawing is a type of communication
that forms a vital link between designers and
manufacturers. The purpose of a detailed drawing is to
convey all necessary information needed in order to
manufacture a part or assembly. Successful drawings
display this information in the most efficient and easily
understood manner. Well-executed engineering drawings
save time and money by minimizing errors in production,
reducing time required to produce the part or assembly,
and serving as a useful tool to present products to
supervisors, peers, customers, or even other companies.
Some key features of detailed drawings include
component views, dimensions, tolerances, notes, and part
documentation. More specifically, weldment and assembly
drawings also contain a bill of materials, identification
balloons, and weld symbols. This document will further
discuss weldment drawings. Weldment drawings can
represent very complex assemblies, like the one shown in
Figure 1, with large numbers of parts. Those large
weldments are most likely broken down into much simpler
sub-assemblies, each needing their own detailed drawing.
With less information, these drawings are easier to
interpret, providing a more effective means of
communication.
Figure 1: This complex weldment, produced by DRT Manufacturing,
would require a complex detailed drawing
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Figure 2: Example title block for Frame Example Weldment
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Setting up a template
Parts and assemblies are usually drawn up on some sort of
3D modeling software, in this case SolidWorks 2009. Once
all aspects of the assembly have been finalized and
individual part drawings completed, engineers create a
weldment drawing. Due to the complicated and cluttered
nature of some weldment drawings, B (11 by 17) or even
D (22 by 34) size paper may be used to fit all of the
necessary information
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The title block contains all pertinent information to track
the weldment. Preset templates exist in SolidWorks to fill
in these subjects, as shown in Figure 2. These templates
also leave additional blocks for other necessary
information, and allow the user to customize the
document for the best use. Information contained in the
title block includes:
Weldment or assembly name
Identification (Part) number
Drawers initials
Date drawing completed
Quantity required (ex. QTY: 2)
Drawing scale (ex. 1:4)
Tolerances (these will act for the whole sheet
unless otherwise specified)
A standard tolerance can be stated in the title block, but if
a certain dimension requires a separate value, this is noted
on that particular dimension. Supervisors or Professional
Engineers may need to check off on drawings, and the title
block includes space for their initials and date. In addition,
if the drawing requires changes, an area is set aside to
mark revision levels (ex. 1, 2, 3, etc).
DETAILED WELDMENT DRAWINGS
KEY FEATURES



Although this weldment is very simple, these basic skills are only extended for more complex situations. Detailed
weldment drawings always utilize these fundamentals. With a properly created detailed drawing, communication in
this company can improve to more easily produce this or other weldments. Once aware of these methods, they can
be applied at both the design and production levels, creating a more successful process overall.

3. Figures created using SolidWorks 2009







1. Views
Orthographic the three basic views of the
weldment, usually the front, top, and right views
Isometric the 3D view of the weldment, usually
placed in the upper right corner of the drawing
Detail sometimes created when a certain area
needs more explanation
Section can be used when dimensions or other
information must be drawn to features that appear
as hidden lines on the three orthographic views.
2. Tolerances
Tolerances represent the acceptable range of values that a
measurement must fall within. Multiple forms of
tolerances include limit, unilateral, and bilateral (as seen in
Figure 3).
3. Notes
Any production processes or additional information that
may be useful to the manufacturer is shared in the form of
a note. Some specific example notes are shown in Figure
3, and can detail a sequence or fit classification.
















4. Dimensioning
Dimensions shown are considered critical
dimensions to be held during fabrication
Dimension lines are not crossed with each other
when possible and never drawn of hidden lines
Pulled off of a common edge/corner
5. Bill of Materials (BOM)
The bill of materials for the weldment drawing contains a
list of all parts included in the weldment, their part
numbers, descriptions, and quantities.
6. Balloons
In assembly drawings, balloons are used to identify each
part relative to the BOM. These balloons can be placed on
whichever view the part is best shown in, but usually they
are pulled from the isometric view.
7. Weld Symbols
Weld symbols communicate the proper locations that
need welding. They also give information such as the type,
size, and number of welds. If a weld is not called out, it is
considered to be up to the welders discretion.









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Figure 3: Drawing of Frame Example Weldment
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