FWD to the left? (automotive)
FWD to the left? (automotive)
(OP)
This question came up, and I'm wondering if there is some SAE, ANSI, or other standard to support it. In my history of drafting and design, I have always drawn the side view, with FWD to the left, AFT to the right...this was dictated in the company drafting manual when I worked on jet engines, and I was directed to do it this way at two different race car companies.
At my current job, I was tasked to do a drawing, and given one done in Europe to use as reference. The European drawing has the front of the car pointed to the right, but I stayed with what I've always done, and did my drawing with the front of the car to the left.
Is there some standard which dictates how this should be?
At my current job, I was tasked to do a drawing, and given one done in Europe to use as reference. The European drawing has the front of the car pointed to the right, but I stayed with what I've always done, and did my drawing with the front of the car to the left.
Is there some standard which dictates how this should be?
-Dave
NX 5.0.6.3mp7





RE: FWD to the left? (automotive)
Check out:
ASME Y14.1- Drawing sheet size and format
ASME Y14.1M- Metric sheet size and format
ASME Y14.100- Engineering drawing and practices
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RE: FWD to the left? (automotive)
I'll have to track down a copy of Y14.100, and see if that covers this. Thanks.
-Dave
-Dave
NX 5.0.6.3mp7
RE: FWD to the left? (automotive)
Big guys like Ford or GM (and you may be with GM or supplier if you are using NX) have internal CAD standards specifying where the "0" point is and where X, Y, and Z axis are pointing.
Usually "0" is in front of the car and "X" is pointing AFT. This way if you draw the car with front pointing to the left, the coordinate "balloons" on your dwg will increase to the right which seems "natural".
But there are also some obscure rules like "operator perspective" which means if you are designing the fixture to install door or fender you have to draw it the way operator will see it - looking thru the fixture with the car behind it.
It is not uncommon to design the fixture, say only for the right door and consider left-side fixture "opposite". This way the car on your drawing will be pointing to the right.
So, like I mentioned, things like that are industry- and even company-specific, so you should try and get a hold of your companys or customers standard.
RE: FWD to the left? (automotive)
RE: FWD to the left? (automotive)
I think that may have been in a DEF-STAN but it wouldn't be directly relevant to automotive in the US.
I don't recall seeing it in y14.100 or elsewhere, but I could be wrong.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: FWD to the left? (automotive)
fyi, I'm not at any of the big 3, but a nascar race team...nascar rule book shows the front of the car to the left, so I'll use that as my reasoning for now :)
Thanks,
Dave
-Dave
NX 5.0.6.3mp7