Design Basics
Design Basics
(OP)
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?
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





RE: Design Basics
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
If you are in a position of leadership over him, and your engineering department has standard drafting practices established, he should follow. If your engineering department does not have drafting practices established, it's well beyond the time to start to identify them. Train your department to follow what has been established and agreed upon. This would include standardized templates and settings for all software (AuotCAD) being used in the department.
Sounds like he needs to learn to step-off his high horse, remove his "designer" cap and put on his "drafter" cap if he wants to produce his own drawings. If he can't understand the value of following industry standards as they are related to drafting practices, he has no business working with production drawings.
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Design Basics
One of my most frequently turned to references for drafting questions. My first edition has a friendly orange cover, but I see on Amazon that the second edition has a nice sky blue cover.
I agree with the other responders, if he can't or won't follow industry or internal standards he is a liability, not an asset.
Document your attempts to teach him; when, what, how and the results to protect yourself when the time comes....
RE: Design Basics
Best Regards,
Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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o
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"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea" Bernard-Paul Heroux
RE: Design Basics
Like others are saying, if he won't open a book his mind is closed. Good luck.
RE: Design Basics
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
However, this is not the challenge I have been given. Perhaps I am asking the wrong question. I have references for the standards that he needs to be practicing. I can summarize them for him. How do I get him to embrace them though? Until now, every attempt at such has been met with resistance. I have been told that those are antiquated rules that were only important before the computer age. Do you have any suggestions on how I can explain why these are not just arbitrary rules intended to make the job more tedious. Thus far, my best explanation has been to show him how much better the drawing looks if you follow these rules and how it is easier to read. He is not getting it.
Thanks
SC
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
You can also explain to him you are the boss and you have to follow company standards. If he doesn't like it, write him up, give him a warning.
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
If this is not an option and he insists on drawing without hidden lines and with dimensions crossing all over the show, let him take one of his drawings on the shop floor and be with the guy who is trying to build it.
I have always found those guys are more than happy to point out the error of my ways and what a fool I am
RE: Design Basics
I swear the guy is just dumb. I can take the shops advice, dismiss the ridiculous complaints, and implement the valid concerns. He is an all or nothing person, he either takes everything a person says without question, or dismisses every word they utter. He completely lacks common sense or ability to reason. I knew I should have been concerned when the guy sincerely asked me if I had a geniuses IQ. The day I'm the smart one in the room is a scary day indeed.
The obvious solution would be to release him, but my company does not do that. Therefore, he must be retrained. There is added urgency because my replacement will be hired in a number of weeks, and the idea of this man advising the new hire scares me beyond measure.
Thanks
SC
RE: Design Basics
We had a new hire a long time ago, while we were still using AutoCAD. He didn't like the color scheme we used for layers, so he changed all the colors to what he liked. When it came time to print and plot the drawings, since the colors defined the line weights, everything printed terribly. He then had to spend several weeks restoring all the prints to our corporate standards.
Standards: someone has already taken the time to figure something out and write it down. You just need to know where to find them.
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
Fire him and find someone willing to work to your specs.
RE: Design Basics
Mind you, I am not opposed to people who lack degrees. I think on the job training can offer the right people as much training as a university. The problem is, if you're not willing to be trained even college won't help!
Thanks
SC
RE: Design Basics
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
Thanks
SC
RE: Design Basics
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
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.
RE: Design Basics
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.
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Design Basics
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.
RE: Design Basics
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
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
RE: Design Basics
Thanks
SC
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
Thanks
SC
RE: Design Basics
ZCP
www.phoenix-engineer.com
RE: Design Basics
RE: Design Basics
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.
RE: Design Basics
Dump him!
Tunalover
RE: Design Basics
-yo
RE: Design Basics
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.
RE: Design Basics
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.
RE: Design Basics
Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.
RE: Design Basics
This is a 'management basics' problem.
" First rate people hire first rate people.
Second rate people hire third rate people. "
Apparently they haven't purged all the second raters.
It's time.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA