5 tips for creating accurate shop drawings

If you want your metal cutting services provider to create an ideal product for you, then it’s important to provide them with accurate shop drawings. A shop drawing is a drawing (or set of drawings) produced by the contractor, supplier, subcontractor, manufacturer or a fabricator. Shop drawings are characteristically required for prefabricated components, like metal cutting, structural steel, trusses, pre-cast and windows. Here are five tips for creating excellent shop drawings.

1. Employ a qualified, experienced checker

One of the most important steps in the creation of shop drawings is the final one: getting them checked. A checker doesn’t have to be a draftsperson, but he/she should have in-depth knowledge of the fabrication process, an exceptional understanding of geometry and a determination to get details right.

2. Decide on an effective communication system

Communication between all parties involved in making the drawings must be clear. Details must always be clear and easy to read. And the checker should employ an effective mark-up system. For example, agreements could be highlighted in blue and disagreements in red, while comments could be written in lead pencil.

3. Share responsibility for final stages between the checker and the detailer

Once the checker has completed the first mark-up, this should go to the detailer, who should highlight his/her agreements, disagreements and comments in contrasting colours. The second mark-up should be returned to the checker, who should discuss areas of disagreement with the detailer until all differences are solved. The checker should then sign off the final copy. Shared responsibility can go a long way in reducing errors.

4. The checker should have a thorough checklist

To make sure nothing is forgotten, the checker should work through a comprehensive checklist covering absolutely everything – from eliminating ambiguities and redundancies to ensuring the drawing meets all relevant compliances.

5. Keep accurate records

It’s important to know what’s going on at every stage of the process. Keep an accurate diary, where you record both deadlines and actions taken. This might prove to be useful evidence in the event of a dispute.

At ShapeCut, we take our job seriously, so you can focus on yours. Our team adhere to the observation and maintaining of Quality Assurance, to ensure a precision cut each time.

Over the past two decades, ShapeCUT has grown to become the biggest privately owned firm for steel cutting in Brisbane. With our ten machines, huge stock of steel plates, custom-built job processing system and dedicated team, we provide a variety of services to the transport, mining and construction industries, from laser cutting and oxy fuel cutting to drilling, tapping, bending and bevelling. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

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Image Source: By Stephen Shay – Zero Arrow Street Project, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12878086