Expert: Bob - 5/4/2007

Question
Hi Bob!

I have worked within the Engineering world for many years and have worked with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Lt, Mechanical Desktop & Genius in various jobs.

However, I took a leap of faith 2 years ago and changed career into the sciences.  However, your past always comes to haunt you!!!!!!

Due to the need to design specialist equipment in my R&D role for an industrial alloy and chemical manufacturer, we have come to the realisation (10 years too late) that we need to upgrade from fag-packet drawings to professional drawings.

Due to my experience I have been asked to source, purchase implement & manage a CAD system (aahhh!).  Due to the basic nature of our requirement and limited resource (isn't it always!?!) I have opted for AutoCAD LT.

My problem now is setting up CAD standards and handling the QC side of document control (E.g. electronic storage, drawing issues, drawing receipt, archiving, line-by-layer.........)  I'm sure you get my point.

I have done extensive research with my limited and rusty memory of working within drawing offices, and am drawing blanks.  Do you know of any books, websites, etc where I may seek guidance on implementing and operating a CAD management system and templates for drawing registers, drawing issue and receipt forms, or general templates for drawing office management and quality control?

I have ordered BS1192-5 which, like all standards, is suitably vague to be next to useless!!  I will have to go in the loft and see if I can rummage out the obsolete BS1192 standards and BS308, but these will go no guidance on running a drawing office though.

I hope you can help, as there seems very little 'free' info available online, despite a good scout about.

I look forward to your response and thank you in advance for your help.

Kindest regards,

Steph Cannell
Mining & Chemical Products Limited.

Answer
Hi  --of course I know nothing about your field, but I can give general comments. (Besides saying that LOTS of CAD management info is online, and I am sure there are books.
1-- CAD standards are quite different if you share ACAD drawings electronically, than if your company lives in its own world, completes everything in-house.(in that case, do whatever fits the situation)
2--Every industry has trade organizations where information can be shared -- I would look to people doing the same kinds of things, perhaps adapt their systems.
3--Once I have said to check others -- be VERY careful of the people who are "experts", made all their decisions and customization on AutoCAD R14, and will never change.
6--My basic advice  -- create a template(s) with all your set-up done in them, use the tool palettes for all your blocks, text, hatch, and so on --be modern.Good standards are those that work, dont confuse, and let you tell the entire story as clearly as possible.
--- and you are presumably in the UK, so many things will be different from what I know. (but I WOULD mention that the term you use for cigarettes is like Nxxger to many Americans.
I hope this helps -- also find the Autodesk Discussion Groups for LT and for CAD Managers.

BOB