Summary of Part Print Analysis

This unit discusses about the importance of part print analysis and the problems associated in understanding the part drawings. A detail study of Part drawings for the manufacturing of the part is called as Part Print Analysis. Part print analysis leads to nature of work to be performed. This, in turns, points to the sequence of operations that must be performed onto the workpiece to produce the part to its print specifications and cost effective. However, due to these non-standardization practices, the process engineers may confuse with the notations and other details on the part drawings from an outside firm.

The preliminary step to extract more detailed information from the part print is to establish the general characteristics of the workpiece. The best method for manufacturing a product has not yet been discovered, nor can it be said that a job can be performed in only one way. The possibility of generating alternate process operations come as a result of combination of information gleaned from the part print, imagination, and the process engineer's knowledge of known processes.

This unit also discusses about the functional surfaces. The surfaces, which must be developed on the workpiece in the process of manufacturing, are known as the functional surfaces. The areas, which must be machined, are identified from the part prints in three major ways like Surface finish, Basic geometry and Tolerances.

Specifications on the part print provide information relating to both general and specific characteristics of the workpiece that are not provided within the conventional dimensioning system. Specifications usually pertain to the material, its heat treatment or finish, general tolerance level to be attained, references to other drawings, notations that cannot be included as part of the dimensions, and other instructions. Specifications are either explicit or implied.

Ultimately, an examination of the part print leads to the nature of the work to be performed. This, in turn, points to the sequence of operations that must be performed on the workpiece to produce the part to its print specifications.