Equipment for Drafting

Drafting as a profession has been around since ancient times. Today, drafters prepare technical drawings used by a variety of industries, from product manufacturing to construction to aerospace. Their exacting work provides a detailed visual of the finished product or project, complete with mechanical specifications, materials and dimensions. Drafters require a specialized education and technical training as well as a variety of specific pieces of equipment to properly perform their job.

Drafting Board

The drafting board consists of a level, smooth board on which large sheets of paper attach to create technical and mechanical illustrations. A drafting board is a portable version of the larger, more permanent drafting table. Many drafting boards feature an attached parallel straight edge and adjustable legs to provide for an angled drawing surface.

T-square

The T-square, considered an indispensable tool for drafters, provides a true edge for drawing horizontal lines. The name of this piece of drafting equipment derives from its shape. The T-square has a long, straight "blade" attached at a right angle to a short strip called the "head." The head is conveniently secured below the blade to fit securely against the edge a drawing board or drafting table. T-squares range in size from 15 inches to 72 inches in length.

Straight Edge

The straight edge or parallel straight edge serves the same purpose as the T-square. It consists of a straight blade secured to the outside edges of the drafting board or table. The parallel blade moves smoothly from the top to bottom of the board along a series of cables and pulleys. The straight edge easily locks in place, making it stable for drawing on an angled work surface.

Parallel Ruler

The parallel ruler allows drafters to draw precise parallel lines. This drawing aid features two straight edges joined on either end by pivoting arms, allowing the parallel lines to be drawn at various distances from each other. These rulers began as wooden and metal navigational aids to plot the course of ships. Modern versions used for drafting feature clear plastic straight edges and aluminum arms.

Drafting Machine

Drafting machines take the place of a number of common drafting tools. This single piece of equipment attaches directly to the drafting table, eliminating the need for a separate T square, parallel rule, straight edge, triangle and protractor. The all-in-one convenience of the drafting machine increases the drafter's overall accuracy and cuts drafting time.

Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Most drafters now utilize Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) to create technical drawings. With the aid of CADD systems, drafters can permanently store renderings for viewing and printing. CADD gives drafters the ability to easily prepare multiple design alternatives for a project. While CADD replaces manual drawings, modern drafters must still be trained in conventional drafting methods.