Industrial Drawing Vocabulary — Key Terms and Drafting Tools

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, types of drawings, and essential drafting tools from the lecture notes.

Industrial drawing

Technical drawing used to communicate design intent and manufacturing instructions across designers, engineers, manufacturers, and related professionals.

Precise communication

The ability of industrial drawings to convey exact design intent, specifications, and details to reduce errors.

Design visualization

Converting ideas into visual representations to refine designs and aid decision-making.

Design documentation

A permanent record of design concepts and decisions for future modifications and maintenance.

Manufacturing and production

Use of drawings to convey dimensions, tolerances, materials, and assembly steps to ensure correct fabrication.

Education and training

A fundamental drafting skill taught in engineering and design programs to enable creation and comprehension of drawings.

Orthographic drawings

Views of an object from multiple directions (front, top, side) showing true dimensions; also known as parallel projection.

Isometric drawings

A 3D representation on a 2D plane used to illustrate form and size without perspective.

Perspective drawings

A 3D illusion on a 2D surface showing how an object appears from a specific viewpoint.

Exploded views

Illustrations where parts are separated to show assembly relationships and fit.

Sectional views

Views created by cutting through an object to reveal internal features not visible externally.

Assembly drawings

Drawings showing how multiple parts fit together, often with exploded views and a bill of materials.

Detail drawings

Drawings focusing on a specific part or feature with detailed dimensions and tolerances.

Artistic drawing

Drawings made to present an object aesthetically, prioritizing appearance over strict manufacturing details.

Schematic diagrams

Diagrams that show connections and relationships between components, emphasizing function over form.

Flowcharts and process diagrams

Diagrams that depict the sequence of steps or information flow within a system or process.

Wiring diagram

Diagram showing electrical connections between components in circuits, machinery, or buildings.

Structural drawings

Details of a building’s structural components, including plans, elevations, and cross sections.

Architectural drawings

Plans, elevations, sections, and details conveying design intent for buildings.

Civil engineering drawings

Drawings covering roads, bridges, and infrastructure with construction methods and measurements.

Mechanical drawings

Drawings focusing on mechanical systems and components for manufacturing and assembly.

Drawing table

The primary tilting desk used by drafters to facilitate drawing at a comfortable angle.

Drawing board

Optional surface for attaching drawing paper; keeps paper secure during drafting.

T square

A guide for drawing parallel horizontal lines and supporting triangles—consists of a head and a blade.

45° triangle

A triangular drafting tool with 90° and 45° angles, used with the T square to draw right/45° lines.

30° by 60° triangle

A triangular drafting tool with 90°, 30°, and 60° angles, used to draw corresponding lines with the T square.

Scale (ruler)

A measuring instrument used to measure sizes, transfer measurements, and divide lines into equal parts.

Compass

Tool used to draw large arcs and circles; can be fitted with a penpoint for ink lines.

Divider

Two-armed instrument with needle points used to divide lines into equal parts or transfer measurements.

Protractor

Tool for measuring or laying out angles; typically circular or semicircular with degree markings.

French curve

Flexible curves used to guide the drawing of irregular curved lines.

Erasing shield

Thin metal or alloy shield used to erase without disturbing nearby lines.

Pencil sharpener

Device for sharpening pencils with multiple size slots for different hardness grades.

Sandpaper pad

Pad used to roughen or elongate pencil points to prevent breakage during drafting.

Drawing pencil

Pencils used for drafting with hardness codes; B (soft), H (hard), HB, and F in-between; usually no erasers.

Drawing pen

Pens (including technical pens) used for lettering and ink lines in drafting.

Eraser

Tool that removes graphite or ink cleanly without smearing or leaving marks.