Mechanical Symbols/Drawings

[3Celect]

Does anybody know of a good book or website that explains how to read a mechanical drawing. Such as symbols for seals or bearings, etc.
Almost an "understanding mechanical drwings for Dummies."?

 

[eromlignod]

Probably the best way to learn about reading drawings is with a book about making them. Get a book about mechanical drafting...that's how we learned.

Don
Kansas City

 

[KENAT]

For 'technical interpretation' whatever standard(s) the drawings were prepared to (if any) would be a good starting place, e.g ASME Y14.100 series.

However, I'm not sure that would necessarily cover the examples you list.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[EngineerTex]

I agree with eromlignod.

The book that I would recommend is called "Technical Drawing" by Giesecke. If you're looking for a primer, I wouldn't bother with the expense of the very newest edition. At the other end of the spectrum, I also wouldn't waste my time on the 1940 version, either.

http://www.alibris.com

has used editions starting at 4.99.

I would highly recommend this book. It's what I used when I was in college studying to be a draftsman before I changed over to engineering. The principles are universal.

-T


Engineering is not the science behind building. It is the science behind not building.

 

[EngineerTex]

Almost forgot -- I didn't address the examples you cited.

If you're looking for symbols for bearings and seals, I have only ever seen them represented in one of two different ways:

1) As an accurate representation of the actual part, even in extremely old drawings of old machinery.

2) In a cross-sectional view, the sectioned portion is sometimes shown as a box with an "X" in it.

Other than that, I haven't seen seals or bearings shown as anything besides the accurate cross-section of the part.

Also, check out

http://www.skf.com

-- SKF manufactures bearings as well as seals. Browsing through their product literature will give you a good idea of what the enormous number of bearings and seals look like and what these bearings and seals are called. SKF gives really good graphics of their products and how they're shown on drawings.

-T

Engineering is not the science behind building. It is the science behind not building.

 

[GBor]

Engineering Design Graphics by James Earle. I took a class from the 5th edition. One of my employees has the 7th edition. I now teach from the 11th edition. It seems to be a very popular textbook and covers everything from weld symbols, dimensioning, and working drawings to sketching and AutoCAD commands.

Here's the Amazon link, but you can probably find it in a used college bookstore:

http://www.amazon.com/Engineering-Design-Graphics-James-Earle/dp/0131425730