American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
A professional engineering organization that is known for setting codes and standards for mechanical devices in the United States.
Audience Analysis
The understanding of the consumer group for which the design is targeted. This would include the audiences, demographics, physical location, amount of time available to view the design, and interest in the subject matter.
Auxiliary View
A view that is used to show features that are located on an inclined surface in true size and shape.
Balloon
A circle with a single number connected to an assembly component with a leader line to refer to parts.
Broken-Out Section
A section of an object broken away to reveal an interior feature for a sectional drawing.
Cutting Plane Line
A line drawn on a view where a cut was made in order to define the location of the imaginary section plane.
Decision Matrix
A tool used to compare design solutions against one another, using specific criteria.
Detail Drawing
A dimensioned, working drawing of a single part. Also referred to as part drawing.
Detail View
A view that is used to show a magnified view of features that are too small to adequately specify in another view.
Fillet
An inside radius between two intersecting planes.
Foreshorten
To show lines or objects shorter than their true size. Foreshortened lines are not perpendicular to the line of sight.
Full Section
A sectional drawing based on a cutting plane line that extends completely through an object.
Half Section
A sectional drawing based on a cutting plane line that cuts through one-quarter of an object.
International Organization for Standardization (IOS)
This is a worldwide organization that creates engineering standards.
Market Research
The activity of gathering information about consumers' needs and preferences.
Part Drawing
A drawing that contains all the information for making one part of the design.
Parts List
A list of materials or parts specified for a project. Also referred to as a bill of materials or BOM.
Pitch
A distance of uniform measure determined at a point on one unit to the same corresponding point on the next unit; used in threads, springs,and other machine parts.
Round
An outside radius applied to corners.
Section Lines
Thin lines used in a section view to indicate where the cutting plane line has cut through material.
Section View
A view that is used to show details not apparent on the exterior of the part.
Survey
An investigation of the opinions or experience of a group of people, based on a series of questions.
Tap
To cut internal threads.
Taper
Gradual diminution of width or thickness in an elongated object.
Technical Writing
A type of expository writing that is used to convey information for technical or business purposes.
Working Drawings
Drawings that convey all of the information needed to manufacture and assemble a design.