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Blueprint Reading
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Overview

Learn to interpret technical drawings with symbols, dimensions, and hands-on exercises for careers in trades and engineering.

What phase is this textbook in?
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Estimated Dates
Digital Textbook: June 2025
Print Textbook: September 2025
Audiobook: December 2025
Next Edition: 2030
Author / Editor
Annual Student Impact

1,145 students | 236 high school students | $349,324 student savings

Blueprint Reading is a practical guide designed to help students learn the essential skills needed to interpret and understand technical drawings and blueprints. This book covers the basics of blueprint reading, including symbols, dimensions, and notations commonly used in industries like construction, manufacturing, and engineering. With clear explanations, examples, and exercises, it provides a hands-on approach to mastering the ability to visualize and work with complex designs. Whether you're preparing for a career in trades, architecture, or engineering, this resource is a valuable tool for building the foundational knowledge required to succeed in technical fields.

1. Differentiate between drawings and prints

1.a. Explain the difference between drawings and prints
1.b. Describe engineering drawings
1.c. Demonstrate how to handle prints correctly

2. Define terminology and abbreviations associated with print reading

2.a. Define print reading terminology
2.b. Explain machining terminology
2.c. Interpret abbreviations

3. Interpret the layout of views of an object

3.a. Identify the primary views of an object
3.b. Select the placement of views on a print
3.c. Differentiate between pictorial and orthographic projection drawings
3.d. Demonstrate the use of projection lines
3.e. Determine appropriate dimensions of length, width, and height related to views
3.f. Differentiate between first and third angle projection on prints
3.g. Visualize basic shapes of objects

4. Interpret the types of lines found on prints

4.a. Identify the types of lines found on prints
4.b. Describe the use of lines found on prints
4.c. Locate corresponding lines or surfaces in various views
4.d. Relate line types to part feature sizes

5. Sketch objects in different views

5.a. Visualize how actual part features should appear based on print features
5.b. Sketch drawings, incorporating the alphabet of lines
5.c. Sketch simple orthographic drawings
5.d. Draw missing views of objects based on given views

6. Differentiate dimensioning systems

6.a. Describe methods of dimensioning drawings
6.b. Relate dimensioning systems to mathematical concepts
6.c. Explain how baselines will be used for locating a part for manufacture
6.d. Explain how coordinate dimensioning is used in CNC machining
6.e. Convert dimensions to other units
6.f. Demonstrate the rules of dimensioning a part
6.g. Calculate the dimensions on a print

7. Interpret dimensions on prints

7.a. Determine overall part sizes for stock selection
7.b. Apply mathematical concepts to interpret print dimensions
7.c. Determine part feature locations
7.d. Interpret angular measurements on prints
7.e. Calculate missing dimensions
7.f. Interpret part feature sizes
7.g. Identify critical dimensions

8. Interpret title blocks

8.a. Describe the information found in a title block
8.b. Identify other elements of information found on a print
8.c. Identify the current drawing revision and the changes that have occurred to the part drawing
8.d. Apply tolerance information found in title blocks
8.e. Differentiate between specified and unspecified tolerances
8.f. Define tolerance terminology

9. Calculate tolerances on dimensions

9.a. Define tolerance terminology
9.b. Apply mathematical concepts to determine tolerances on dimensions
9.c. Determine tolerances on dimensions
9.d. Determine limits on dimensions
9.e. Describe how tolerances affect mating parts

10. Explain symbols and notes found on prints

10.a. Identify symbols found on prints
10.b. Interpret machining symbols found on prints
10.c. Interpret surface texture symbols found on prints
10.d. Interpret common geometric symbols found on prints
10.e. Interpret notes commonly found on prints

11. Analyze machining details

11.a. Define machining terminology
11.b. Identify machining detail
11.c. Determine the location of machined details
11.d. Determine the sizes of machined details
11.e. Explain the machining processes used to achieve the detail in the part
11.f. Specify the size of a contour
11.g. Calculate distances between machined details
11.h. Discuss order of operations related to machined details
11.i. Determine order of operations based on print specifications

12. Interpret section views

12.a. Define section terminology
12.b. Identify various section lines
12.c. Interpret different types of sectional views

13. Interpret working or detail drawings

13.a. Identify one-view drawings
13.b. Interpret details on one-view drawings
13.c. Identify multiple view drawings
13.d. Interpret details on multiple view drawings

14. Interpret auxiliary views

14.a. Identify auxiliary views
14.b. Interpret details on auxiliary views
14.c. Determine dimensions on auxiliary views

15. Interpret industrial prints

15.a. Identify assembly drawings
15.b. Identify parts lists
15.c. Interpret parts lists
15.d. Interpret sub-assembly drawings
15.e. Interpret detail drawings
15.f. Interpret working assembly drawings

16. Layout dimensions and detail locations based on print specifications

16.a. Select material for layout
16.b. Apply layout die per procedural guidelines
16.c. Select baselines for layout (select appropriate surfaces)
16.d. Calculate dimensions
16.e. Scribe lines for appropriate dimensions and detail
16.f. Compare layout to print specifications

17. Develop a production process plan from a print

17.a. Determine processes needed to make part
17.b. Select tools
17.c. Calculate speeds and feeds
17.d. Discuss fixturing and work holding methods
17.e. Determine critical dimensions for inspection
17.f. Complete a process plan table

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