Design Basics 4

[MESC1]

I posted this in another forum earlier and realize this was probably the more appropriate location. If you come across it twice, I am sorry for the confusion.

I have a designer who is self-taught AutoCad. In that respect, he is not bad, but he was never taught the basics of design. Simple rules like eliminating doglegs, text size, hidden lines, scaling, and the like, are beyond his comprehension. My attempts to teach him these concepts have not been embraced. I have a dozen textbooks that describe these concepts, but this man is not going to read a book. He also will not simply comply because I say it is so; he insists upon seeing why it is correct and necessary. This has proven a difficult challenge since, as I mentioned, he will not read a book.
Can anyone recommend some smaller texts where these guidelines might be complied with explanations of why this is proper practice?

Thanks
SC

 

[MESC1]

He didn't lie about his qualifications; the person who wanted him hired lied about them. Basically, a new manager wanted to replace the entire regime that had existed before he was there, that included me. He hired this guy thinking he could do the job faster and better. I belive this also had something to do with thinking a man could do the job better than a woman. When he was brought in I was actually told I couldn't train him. It is only in the last few months that his training has become my responsibility. That's years too late! The manager who came up with this brilliant plan has since been eliminated by the way. Still we suffer from the effects of his ignorance, and I don't know how to overcome years of bad habits and no disipline.

 

[ajack1]

Draw something to the same standard he does and then get him to make that !!!

It does sound like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, do you have managers above you and if so are they aware of the problems he causes? If not do you have the power to give verbal or written warnings? Maybe if he really thought his job was under threat his attitude would improve.

 

[MadMango]

When he was brought in I was actually told I couldn't train him.

Amazing how true that statment is now. You can't train him because he doesn't want to be trained.

Since firing him seems hard/impossible, I say provide oversight to ensure he doesn't cause a safety issue that can harm lives, and give him all the rope he wants to hang himself. When items a) come in out of spec, b) stop fitting/working, c) vendors keep calling for clairifications, someone (hopefully in the position to do something) will get the hint.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[MESC1]

See, I'm beginning to think that too. However, I don't want to believe it's an unsolvable problem. There has to be a solution.

They can't threaten his job and he knows it. I'll be leaving soon, and despite all the problems he causes, he's still cheeper than contract labor.

 

[ctopher]

I say give him a broom! Tell him to make sure the lights are off before he leaves at night!

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[ewh]

This is a difficult situation. I think MadMango has the best solution, and since you will be leaving soon, someone else will have to deal with him. Keep good records of your issues with his work for those that follow you, and sooner or later he will hang himself. I realize that this doesn't really help you solve the problem, but we have to choose our battles when we can.

 

[TheTick]

Sounds like a man who needs to be his own boss. I say accelerate this man on his way to self-employment. There are plenty of other drafters willing and able to follow standards.

 

[wes616]

SC

There is always a solution. However there are easier ways sometimes. like if you need to fill a round hole and only have square billet.

1. you could try and use a hammer to beat the billet into the hole.

2. you could machine the billet down little by little, until you get a piece of material that will fit in the hole.

or

3. take the billet back to the purchasing department, and tell them to order you the correct stock to start with. Then it is off of you - you either get the correct material, or you have given someone else a very large paperweight.

-WC

 

[MESC1]

If he's the billet, I get to be the hammer, right?

Thanks
SC

 

[EngJW]

Like we used to say (before digital cameras), if there was a guy the company would not get rid of, he must have the negatives.

 

[SrGilberto]

Tell him it SAVES MONEY!!! - when people work to the conventional standards. It saves a lot of time when people are NOT confused by a drawing. When we save money the company makes more profits, and there is more available for personal income raises!!!! It could translate to more money in HIS pocket.

 

[MESC1]

I want to work for a company that more profit translates to more money in my pocket. Can someone please explain that philosophy to the owners of my company!

Thanks
SC

 

[zcp]

Hang one of his drawings next to one done to the standards in a prominent place. Maybe one in the office and one in the shop. Then have a little voting tally sheet underneath. See which one gets the most votes. If he wins, you shutup. If his gets the least votes, he has to read the books and start working to the standards.

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[MESC1]

That has already been done, although not so ceremoniously. He lost; that is when I found out there was a problem. Until then, I just thought his drawings were ugly, but correct. That is when I found out it is not just aesthetics he has not grasped.

 

[fastasleep]

He refuses to do his job correctly, the company refuses to do anything about him not doing his job correctly, and you are on your way out anyway? I don't see this as such a difficult situation.

Here's an appropriate prayer for you:

Lord, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things that I can,
and the widom to hide the bodies of those people
I had to kill because they pissed me off.

 

[Tunalover]

MESC1-
Dump him!


Tunalover

 

[wes616]

I like ZCP's idea... but with a slight modification. There is a certain beauty to a well put together drawing. Maybe you sould hang a few (in frames) from other people in the office who do draw to standards. Eventually he may feel left out (or hurt as an artist - haha), and want to draw to standards so he can get a little recognition. It may sound like elementary school, but he seems to be acting with all the ego and hard-headedness of my 3rd grader.

-yo

 

[MechCT]

I'm in a similar situation unfortunetly... The only difference is that I am a designer (drafter at the start of my career) who sees a great need for proper dimensioning practices and the engineers here at my new job don't seem to give a gee-whiz! Wierd huh?

Here, everything is done with ordinate dimensions... No GTOL (besides a few flatness tolerances), and pocket depths are dimensioned with text on the pocket face instead of on a x-section view or side view that actually shows the geometry!

You wouldn't believe me if I told you that we do DOD work, but it's true. hah.

 

[ewh]

MechCT,
Does your drawing format state that the drawing is to be interpreted to any specifications? If so, that is your reason for following that specification, regardless of what the engineers may say. If not, then I feel for you. That is a good way to pick up some very poor habits.

 

[aamoroso]

Plain and simple solution is to cut his work down to almost nothing. It may take some extra effort from the rest of the team but when work starts overflowing and is being held up by the drafting the department the bigger boss will want answers. The answer will be that Joe (or whatever his name is) is not competent and refuses to adjust to the standards that others have taken the time and effort to learn. Give him the garbage jobs, garbage in garbage out. Talk to you HR dept (if you have one) they might help you solve the problem.

Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.