The Universal Language of Engineering Drawings
Students practice the ability to produce clear, complete, accurate and detailed design drawings through an engineering design challenge. Using only the specified materials, teams are challenged to draw a design for a wind-powered car. Then, they trade engineering drawings with another group and attempt to construct the model cars in order to determine how successfully the original design intentions were communicated through sketches, dimensions and instructions.
Students take a closer look at engineering drawingsCopyright Office of the State Treasurer of California, http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/images/economic.jpg
Engineering is about applying mathematical and scientific knowledge to design. To be successful as an engineer, a person must be able to accurately communicate one's design intentions to clients, manufacturers and end users through the use of drawings, specifications and instructions. This is true for all types of engineering, across all languages. Failures in the engineering communication process result in the loss of money, time, materials, and in extreme circumstances, injury and death.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how drawing and communication are important to the engineering design process.
- Communicate a simple engineering design through the use of a drawing with detailed instructions.
- Accurately measure and cut materials as specified in a design drawing.