Innovation
An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method of doing something.
Invention
A new product, system, or process that has never existed before, created by study and experimentation.
Design Brief
A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. The design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution.
Design Process
A systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to winnow (narrow) down the possible solutions to one final choice.
Hidden Line
A line type that represents an edge that is not directly visible, because it is behind or beneath another surface.
Isometric Sketch
A form of pictorial sketch in which all three drawing axes form equal angles of 120 degrees with the plane of projection.
Oblique Sketch
A type of sketch involving a combination of a flat, orthographic front with depth lines receding at a selected angle, usually 45 degrees.
Orthographic Projection
A method of representing three-dimensional objects on a plane having only length and breadth. Also referred to as Right Angle Projection.
Perspective Sketch
A form of pictorial sketch in which vanishing points are used to provide the depth and distortion that is seen with the human eye. Perspective drawings can be drawn using one, two, and three vanishing points.
Technical Working Drawing
A drawing that is used to show the material, size, and shape of a product for manufacturing purposes.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute: A private, non-profit organization that coordinates the development and use of voluntary consensus standards in the United States.
Dimension Lines
Lines that are thin lines capped with arrowheads, which may be broken along their length to provide space for the dimension numerals.
Extension Lines
Thin lines used to establish the extent of a dimension. Extension lines begin with a short space from the object and extend to about .125 inches past the last dimension line. Extension lines may cross object lines, center lines, hidden lines, and other extension lines, but may not cross dimension lines.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
A non-governmental global organization whose principal activity is the development of technical standards through consensus.
Median
Referring to the middle term or mean of the middle two terms of a series of values arranged in order of magnitude.
Numeric Constraint
A number value, or algebraic equation that is used to control the size or location of a geometric figure.
Geometric Constraint
Constant, non-numerical relationships between the parts of a geometric figure. Examples include parallelism, perpendicularity, and concentricity.
Mock-up
Also referred to as an Appearance Model. A model or replica of a machine or structure for instructional or experimental purposes.
Model
A visual, mathematical, or three-dimensional representation in detail of an object or design, often smaller than the original. A model is often used to test ideas, make changes to a design, and to learn more about what would happen to a similar, real object.
Prototype
A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments.
Scale Model
An enlarged or reduced representation of an object that is usually intended for study purposes.
Surface Area
1. The sum of all the areas of all the faces or surfaces that enclose a solid. 2. The sum of all the areas of all surfaces of a solid.
Working Drawings
Drawings that convey all of the information needed to manufacture and assemble a design.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
1. A professional engineering organization that is known for setting codes and standards for mechanical devices in the United States. ASME drawing standards are found in the Y-14M publications. 2. The acronym for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Auxiliary View
An orthographic view of an object using a direction of sight other than one of the six basic views (front, top, right-side, rear, bottom, left-side); used to show a surface that is not parallel to any of the principal view planes.
Cutting Plane Line
A line drawn on a view where a cut was made in order to define the location of the imaginary section plane.
Degree of Freedom
The variables by which an object can move. In assemblies, an object floating free in space with no constraints to another object can be moved along three axes of translation and around three axes of rotation. Such a body is said to have six degrees of freedom.
Exploded Assembly
An assembly drawing in which parts are moved out of position along an axis so that each individual part is visible.
Parts List
A list of materials or parts specified for a project. Also referred to as a bill of materials or BOM.
Phantom Line
A line used to show the alternate positions of an object or matching part without interfering with the main drawing.
Section Lines
Lines that are used to represent the material through which a cut is made in order to show an interior sectional view.
Sectional View
A drawing that shows the interior of an object as it would appear if cut in half or quartered.
Spotface
A shallow recess like a counterbore, used to provide a good bearing surface for a fastener.
Fluid Power
Energy transmitted and controlled by means of a pressurized fluid, either liquid or gas. The term fluid power applies to both hydraulics and pneumatics.
Reverse Engineering
The process of taking something apart and analyzing its workings in detail, usually with the intention to understand function, prepare documentation, electronic data, or construct a new or improved device or program, without actually copying from the original.
Ergonomics
The study of workplace equipment design or how to arrange and design devices, machines, or workspace so that people and things interact safely and most efficiently.
OSHA
Occupation Safety and Health Administration: A government organization whose mission is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.
Product lifecycle
Stages a product goes through from concept and use to eventual withdrawal from the market place.
Gantt Chart
A time and activity bar chart that is used for planning, managing, and controlling major programs that have a distinct beginning and end.
Norms
Principles of right action, binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior.