In the community of 3 dimensional modelling, are Shop Drawings still used? Absolutely! There isn't any a different way to effectively transfer information on the design/detail end for the shop floor. Some Fabrication Shops are using a lot more 'robotic' capabilities, but they are few and far between. There are machines out there that may of course cut, drill, weld and prep virtually anything, but very little is effective at assembling. Assuming that this continues there will also be a need for a Drawing detailer/designer. Shop Drawing and detailing has evolved a lot over the past 20 years. It used to be an 'art' form using drafting tables, electric pencil sharpeners and shavings brushes. Right now it's the computer mouse along with a monitor and higher powered software such as Auto CAD, Tekla Structures, SDS2, Auto Desk Revit, Auto Desk Inventor and every other Auto Desk product.
IFC Drawings
From Conception to Paper
Quite often a good idea is sketched on paper to begin with, by a designer (lets say an architect for his customer). This designer/architect will then work with his group and create a set of drawings of this idea, (lets use a museum as an example). This set of museum drawings may also include a 3D model (or derived from it). Once they are satisfied they send them to the Client for approval. If accepted the construction process can start, and the hiring of a general contractor to search out the trades is often the best course.
The work of creating Shop Drawings is frequently found in one of these trade routes, in this case it would be: Mechanical Shop drawings for duct work, Structural Steel Drawings for the steel, Decking, Joist and Concrete likewise Drawings.
What is a Shop Drawing?
A shop drawing is in effect a design or detail portrayed on paper, put forth to a shop fabricator so they might therefore build the essential piece.
Are Shop Drawings always required?
Not necessarily, but yes most of the time they are required and occasionally necessary (IE. engineers and architects will want to see their conceptions on paper)
Just what is a Shop Drawing Stamp?
A Drawing Stamp is the engineer (of record's) method to say he has approved the Drawing which you or maybe your company has drawn. It fulfills his/her design and they are acknowledging it to be built. This is usually a manual process (mainly because of the signing of the stamp), but typically necessary.
What should the Shop Drawings display?
A correct drawing should display all the required material that is needed for the piece being built. This does not mean to repeat information however and go overboard. Adding needless dimensions and details can often cause misunderstanding with the shop floor. Utilize the proper line weights (if you are using Computer Aided Drafting or CAD). Always put your name and the checkers name on the drawing, this ensures it was done with care. Remember: the people working on the shop floor do not have the same working conditions you have when drawing it, it shall be darker, louder and the drawings can potentially get ruined. Remember to keep this is mind.
Shop Drawings for all Industries
Virtually all trades in a building or manufacturing procedure require drawings of some form. If not, there is no real way of discovering how something was built and to what standard. In Mechanical Drafting there are certain guidelines to follow which may be completely different from other forms of Drafting.( such as the scale, display etc.) When handling Structural Steel drawings there are strict regulations when it comes to connection design, to ensure that every steel framing connection does not fail.
in Our blog