Title block sizes on A1, A2, A3 1

[Martynw]

Hi
I am currently redesigning our title blocks in line with BS8888, and have an interesting problem, which if possible I would like advice on.

BS 8888 dictates that you use one common size title block across all three sheet sizes (180mm wide) which in itself is not a problem, but we commonly print A1 drawings on A3 sheets
which leaves the title block hardly readable.

my question is:-

Is there anything other than common sense that dictates we should not be using this practice (printing A1 on A3)?

Regards
Martyn

 

[JNieman]

We use the same title block on all sheet sizes we commonly use. Including ANSI A, B, C, D (~A3, A2, A1, A0). Text sizes are the same, as well.

I never personally saw the logic in scaling up all your content if using a larger sheet size. You're using a larger sheet size to allow more content. By scaling the content size up, you're losing some/most of what you gain on larger sheet sizes. Larger sheets aren't meant to be read from further away (not primarily) but to fit more content. If they were meant to be read from further away, necessitating larger text, I would find it to be an exceptional case, not the norm.

It also has the benefit of looking identical when folded properly. If drawings are all folded down to approximately Letter / ANSI-A / A3 size, the title block would appear consistent while flipping through.

 

[Martynw]

thanks for that, do you have a view on printing A1 on A3 paper?

 

[dgallup]

Constant title block size is standard. It makes little sheets (A or A4) nearly useless as there is very little room left to draw. It makes big sheets nearly unreadable if you print them out on small sheets. It all is due to the fact that the standards were written long ago when real draftsmen used drafting tables and pen and ink. Today, I stick to A2 and A3 sizes and add sheets as necessary.

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The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.

 

[JNieman]

My view is to always print sheets on the size they were intended for.

Like dgallup, I stick to A2 and A3 when possible. I use A0 and A1 for larger assemblies that require more square footage to show relationships, bills of material, etc. That's my basic rule of thumb. Individual parts/components for us are typically quite fine on A2/A3 size sheets (ANSI sizes for us, but close enough)

I have an irrationally strong opinion toward people printing drawings on incorrect sheet sizes in any situation other than informal conversational or reference usage.

I have had no issue with our title block (which doesn't take up half an A3 sheet) being inconvenient on an A0 or A1 sheet. The information contained in the title block is not frequently referenced. It's not intended to be read from any further away than an ANSI-A/A3, so I don't know why it would necessitate enlarging.

That's my opinion on the practical aspects of the practice.

 

[sammcc]

To Op- if you print the drawings as pdf- we regularly print A0 drawings on A4 and have no problems with the title block.
Its all well and good printing on the original page size, but 3 or 4 full size A0 drawing would soon clutter up any man's desk!

 

[JNieman]

@sammcc

https://www.amazon.com/ADVANTUS-Strip-Display-Regular-Aluminum/dp/B00007LB24

Large format drawing display rail. I have the wall to my left lined with them. Useful for holding large drawings and more. Slips in easy, lifts out easy. Holds well.

 

[KENAT]

At former employer our concession to the issue of printing larger drawings on smaller paper was that we set most font sizes to be .15" (~4mm) instead of .12" (~3mm). This meant when E was printed on B they were just about legible. The drawing title & number etc. in the title block were already bigger than this so always legible anyway. Other items in the title block though got stuck at .12 as otherwise the title block got too big - so when printed on B they weren't always legible.

I try to avoid multi sheet drawings preferring one large drawing so making minor concessions to them being printed on smaller paper isn't the end of the world to me but no it's not my favorite.

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