Drawing Checking
Drawing Checking
(OP)
thread765-185533: Originator, Checker and Approver This is in response to the myriad comments on the art of drawing checking. As a DOD drawing checker for two decades I can validate that the support of management is paramount in a reasonably smooth process. Without it, you are "fair game" to anyone with an axe to grind, usually has something to do with ego. Never commit to a meeting where the drawings are to be scrutinized by every tom, dick and harriet who's credentials are dubious and which is not strictly overseen by management; he/she absolutely MUST establish the ground rules for any comment(s), otherwise that meeting will become another gunfight at the OK Corral. The drawing checker must be given the benefit of the doubt because the drawing package inevitably becomes his/her responsibility once his/her signature appears on the drawings. That's the key.....SIGNATURES. Every other drawing not yet ready for public review should always be stamped "PRELIMINARY" to make it clear that that drawing has not yet been "blessed" by the drawing checker. Management is your flak jacket.





RE: Drawing Checking
I should give you a star just for giving me a blast from the past...
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Drawing Checking
RE: Drawing Checking
RE: Drawing Checking
slipstream, you might have been better received over in forum1103: Drafting Standards, GD&T & Tolerance Analysis where some of us actually care about the quality of our drawings and think the checking process has merit, not like the unwashed masses here
Plus there has been at least one recent thread touching on checking where your input may be appreciated.
Welcome to Eng-Tips!
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Drawing Checking
Thanks again, I'll be moving on now to that forum you suggested.
RE: Drawing Checking
Although being a very old thread, it would still be current.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Drawing Checking
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Drawing Checking
A.) Just joking
B.) WELCOME!
C.) I heartily agree with what you say about ground rules, OK Corral, etc. I've been to too many review sessioins that turn into wholesale trashings due to lack of scope and discipline.
RE: Drawing Checking
RE: Drawing Checking
There is value in the former, not much in the latter.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Drawing Checking
Personally I'd love to argue the "management is your flak jacket." The last place I worked the 'checking' system was nothing more than another method of power mongering and a way to terrorize Project Managers. In my case, management was a 70 year old fine arts major who spent his career in building maintenance. He was not a form of protection, he was an albatross around my neck that I had to defer to and pretend not to notice his failing memory and other symptoms of Alzheimers.
"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge." Ivana Trump
RE: Drawing Checking
Checking in the DoD/Aerospace etc. field generally seems a bit different than elsewhere, in so much as they take it seriously.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Drawing Checking
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Drawing Checking
Anyway my comment is rooted in an incident in which I had a senior piping designer lay out a pigging skid for me. Then, the Checker came into the picture and laid it out differently because he liked it better his way.
Burned 40 man hours fixing something that there wasn't a darn thing wrong with in the first place.
That is when checking has no value,
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Drawing Checking
RE: Drawing Checking
That's not a "checker"... that's a "changer". In my view, a checker should essentially redline all issues, and only make changes after they have been approved.
But what do I know, I'm just an EE... I only draw schematics, and electricity flows up or down.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Drawing Checking
RE: Drawing Checking
Plus there are at least 2 sides to the checking thing.
There's the design verification aspect that obviously needs to be done by someone familiar with that aspect. Back in aerospace we had a separate 'structural' approval for that, and to some extent the cheif engineer/tech director approval.
Then there's the drawing completeness/correctness/standard compliance/basic manufactureability... side of things.
Do not get me wrong, in many cases one person can adequately address both sets of issues, however sometimes finding someone that's both a relevant technical 'expert' and a drawing requirements 'expert' can be a challenge.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Drawing Checking
RE: Drawing Checking
1. Drawing Format. Does the drawing use the appropriate border, line types, symbology, view orientation, text sizes, dimension styles, etc., in accordance with the company drafting manual?
2. Design Content: Is the design in compliance with FAA Regulations, Industry Standards, Company and Customer Requirements, etc? Were appropriate materials and processes used, and does the design perform the intended function?
3. Configuration Control: Are the appropriate changes applied to the correct aircraft? Are design changes properly controlled as to form, fit and function?
I recommend (and practice when I check) three separate reviews of the drawing...one for each type of content.
We see checking as adding great value. However, I strongly push in the classroom for a checking engineer to remember that adding value generally means only marking up suggested changes when something is outside the design intent. "That's the way we did it at my previous employment" or "I really like it better this way" are NOT valid reasons to mark up items.
However, I said "generally" because sometimes long experience can add an enhancement that increases the drawing value. Thus it may be perfectly valid to say (and I have said this during checks), "The view breakout and orientation you have selected gets the job done. However, in my experience on the aircraft if you change this view orientation or provide an additional breakout here, you will greatly enhance the understanding of the person who has to install that item."
RE: Drawing Checking
We are often reminded by Management that we own the drawing, not the checker.
rmw
RE: Drawing Checking