ITD Des Proc

Technology Education Department
Introduction to Technical Drawing

DESIGN PROCESS

The "Design Process" is a systematic procedure used in industry to change ideas into useable products for consumers or other manufacturers. This procedure is used by designers, engineers, architects, technicians, drafters, detailers and illustrators to prepare a set of plans and specifications that guide machinists, welders, sheet metal workers, casting and molding operators, electronic technicians, painters and many other skilled workers in the completion of their work. The number of phases and/or steps in the process will vary from company to company or textbook to textbook but should include the following:

Identify, analyze and research the problem to obtain a complete description of the project;
Think of possible solutions to the problem and make freehand, multiview and/or pictorial sketches of all ideas for solving the problem;
Discuss all ideas with other designers, engineers, supervisors and managers;
Revise and combine ideas after discussions into a "final" solution sketch:
Prepare a design layout drawing to scale from the final solution sketch;
Prepare scale detail and assembly drawings of all parts and sub-assemblies;
Prepare complete specifications and a materials list of all parts:
Make individual parts, inspect parts for accuracy, and assemble the parts to make a working prototype or scale model;
Check assembly of parts and test the operation of the prototype for accuracy, reliability, and safety.
Revise detail and assembly drawings if necessary and prepare technical illustrations for manuals and brochures.

The "Design Process" as described above is incorporated in all of the Technical Drawing courses in the Technical Drawing Program at Stevenson High School; provides the basic course outline for the Introduction to Technical Drawing or Technical Drawing for Designers and Drafters; and is used to solve a variety of problems from simple to complex products.

View Powerpoint