In today’s world where skyscrapers and unique designs are the kings, perfection is always the key. After all, even a small line that’s out of place can ruin the whole design of a structure. One of the many ways to ensure that a structure is, at least, close to perfection, is to create first a plan. This is where fabrication drawings come into play.
In the past, putting up a building, or any structure for that matter, is something that can be accomplished by simply coming up with a blueprint. Much is done by hand and so calls for a number of human errors. With the inception of various computer programs, however, coming up with the plans have been made easier and more efficient with lesser possibility for human error. In order to up the ante, however, certain organizations individuals have come up with drawings that can actually help planners and designers appreciate the structure more even before it has come to life. These drawings came to be known as the fabrication drawing.
A fabrication drawing is not something that can be done by just about anybody. Generally speaking, in order for a fabrication drawing to be done, a person would have to have skills in drafting, logic, spatial reasoning, and communication, to name a few. The person in charge would also need to have a background in engineering as well as in the use of CAD programs. In most cases, it is the structural engineer of the professional shop drawing engineer who takes care of coming up with the images.
Generally speaking, the presence of fabrication shop drawings is a great way for builders and designers to ensure that they have taken all factors into consideration before setting about the construction of the building. As opposed to the building blueprint, fabrication shop drawings focus more on the components that would be used into making the building. These components could include the elevators, windows, trusses, and cabinets, among other things. In most cases, the drawings include such details as materials to be used and dimensions; and because the design makes use of images, it is easier for fabricators to assess just how much material would be used. You have to keep in mind that it is hard for changes to be put into place once the structure has been set as there are a number of things that can be taken into consideration.
With fabrication drawings in place, builders would have a specific knowledge of how the structure should look. In order for this to happen, the drawings would need to indicate the various measurements for the elevation, the longitudinal sections of each floor, and the measurements and dimensions of each of the parts.
While shop drawings maybe viewed as some as simply a collection of images and details, there are actually international standards that one must adhere to in order to ensure the quality of the drawing as well as keep structural engineers from going beyond their set budget.
