physics

Mechanical systems drawing

Mechanical systems drawing is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Mechanical systems drawing rather than just read about it. In short: Mechanical systems drawing is a type of technical drawing that shows information about heating, ventilating, air conditioning and transportation (elevators and escalators) around a building. It is a tool that helps analyze complex systems.

Key takeaways

Mechanical systems drawing belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Mechanical systems drawing to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Mechanical systems drawing from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Mechanical systems drawing is a type of technical drawing that shows information about heating, ventilating, air conditioning and transportation (elevators and escalators) around a building. It is a tool that helps analyze complex systems. These drawings are often a set of detailed drawings used for construction projects; it is a requirement for all HVAC work. They are based on the floor and reflected ceiling plans of the architect. After the mechanical drawings are complete, they become part of the construction drawings, which is then used to apply for a building permit. They are also used to determine the price of the project.

Sets of drawings

Arrangement drawing Arrangement drawings include information about the self-contained units that make up the system: table of parts, fabrication and detail drawing, overall dimension, weight/mass, lifting points, and information needed to construct, test, lift, transport, and install the equipment. These drawings should show at least three different orthographic views and clear details of all the components and how they are assembled.

Assembly drawing The assembly drawing typically includes three orthographic views of the system: overall dimensions, weight and mass, identification of all the components, quantities of material, supply details, list of reference drawings, and notes. Assembly drawings detail how certain component parts are assembled. An assembly drawing shows which order the product is put together, showing all the parts as if they were stretched out. This will help a welder to understand how the product will go together so he get an idea of where the weld is needed. The assembly drawing will contain the following; information overall dimensions, weight and mass, identification of all the components, quantities of material, supply details, list of reference drawings, and notes.

Detail drawing In detail drawings, components used to build the mechanical system are described in some detail to show that the designer's specifications are met: relevant codes, standards, geometry, weight, mass, material, heat treatment requirements, surface texture, size tolerances, and geometric tolerances.

Fabrication drawings A fabrication is made up of many different parts. A fabrication drawing has a list of parts that make up the fabrication. In the list, parts are identified (balloons and leader lines) and complex details are included: welding details, material standards, codes, and tolerances, and details about heat/stress treatments. and also

United Kingdom

Tender drawings

Special detailed drawing Line diagrams and layouts indicating basic proposals, location of main items of plant, routes of main pipes, air ducts and cable runs in such detail as to illustrate the incorporation of the engineering services within the project as a whole.

Schematic drawing The schematic is a line diagram, not necessarily to scale, that describes interconnection of components in a system. The main features of a schematic drawing show:

A two dimensional layout with divisions that show distribution of the system between building levels, or an isometric-style layout that shows distribution of systems across individual floor levels All functional components that make up the system, i.e., plant items, pumps, fans, valves, strainers, terminals, electrical switchgear, distribution and components Symbols and line conventions, in accordance with industry standard guidance Labels for pipe, duct, and cable sizes where not shown elsewhere Components that have a sensing and control function, and links between them—building management systems, fire alarms and HV controls Major components, so their whereabouts in specifications and other drawings can be easily determined

Detailed design drawing A drawing the intended locations of plant items and service routes in such detail as to indicate the design intent. The main features of detailed design drawings should be as follows:

Plan layouts to a scale of at least 1:100. Plant areas to a scale of at least 1:50 and accompanied by cross-sections. The drawing don't indicate precise positions of services, but should be feasible to install the services within the general routes indicated. It should be possible to produce co-ordination drawings or installation drawings without major re-routing of the services. Represent pipework by single line layouts. Represent ductwork by either double or single line layouts as required to ensure that the routes indicated are feasible. Indicate on the drawing the space available for major service routing in both horizontal and vertical planes.

Installation drawing A drawing which based on the detailed drawing, installation drawing or co-ordination drawing (interface drawing) with the primary purpose of defining that information needed by the tradesmen on site to install the works or concurrently work among various engineering assembly. The main features of typical installation drawings are:

Plan layouts to a scale of at least 1:50, accompanied by cross-sections to a scale of at least 1:20 for all congested areas A spatially coordinated drawing, i.e., show no physical location clashes between the system components Allowance for inclusion of all supports and fixtures necessary to install the works Allowance for the service at its widest point for spaces between pipe and duct runs, for insulation, standard fitting dimensions, and joint widths Installation details provided from shop drawings Installation working space; space to facilitate commissioning and space to allow on-going operation and maintenance in accordance with the relevant health and safety requirements Plant and equipment including alternatives and options Dimensions where services positioning is important enough not to installers Plant room layouts to a scale of at least 1:20, accompanied by cross-sections and elevations to a scale of at least 1:20

Record (as installed, as-built) drawing A drawing showing the building and services installations as installed at the date of practical completion. Generally the record drawing is a development of the installation drawing. The main features of the record drawings should be as follows.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Mechanical systems drawing

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Mechanical systems drawing claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Mechanical systems drawing before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Mechanical systems drawing ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Mechanical systems drawing

In research: Mechanical systems drawing appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Mechanical systems drawing in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Mechanical systems drawing is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Technical drawing, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Mechanical systems drawing outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Mechanical systems drawing in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Mechanical systems drawing means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Mechanical systems drawing out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mechanical systems drawing in simple terms?

Why does Mechanical systems drawing matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Mechanical systems drawing?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Mechanical systems drawing.