Why is there such mystery and disinformation around drawings for manufacture in our industry?
A Ben, our Co-founder and Director, wrote this blog over 7 years ago and it's still relevant today.
I know this doesn't sound like the most riveting subject, but stick with me on this; it may be slightly controversial...
Some people assume the creativity on a project starts and ends with the concept, and the technical drawings are a means to an end to get things made. Drawings are perceived as a robotic process however, if development is carried out properly, just as much love and time goes in to the engineering as it does the concept.
Staying true to a concept can be challenging. The innovation that goes into a detail, which appears to be elegant and simple, can be immense to engineer. A key detail that may be a ‘eureka’ moment and takes moments to sketch can be won or lost in the engineering. This is because the reality of that idea can only become real through quality technical drawing.
In our industry, some would refer to Design Engineers as ‘draftsmen’ or even worse ‘CAD Jockeys’. The talented aren’t; they are the unsung design heroes of retail.
Anyone who has tried to employ a good Design Engineer knows it’s a very difficult task, and the great ones are like finding unicorns. I’ve worked with these unicorns for over 10 years now and they can be just as quirky, inspirational and frustrating as any creative genius from a top line Design Consultancy.
​
I hear some of you thinking “well, he would rant on about this” as it’s been my “sales pitch” for the best part of two decades. However before my current incarnation, I worked as a Retail Design Manager for a Supermarket. In my time working there, I learnt a thing or two about drawing detail. Unfortunately, what some (manufacturers) refer to as ‘manufacturing or technical drawings’, are doing a disservice to the client and are sometimes dishonest – told you it could be controversial!
As I see it there are several types of these so-called manufacturing drawings:
1. The Design Agency Technical Drawing
Very useful as a starting point for communicating finishes, details and dimensions, but you can’t directly manufacture from them. More useful as a starting point for the development.
​
2. The GA only Drawing
At best GA’s or ‘general arrangement drawings’ will have 2 or 3 pages of isometric and dimensioned elevation views and finishes. Great to give you an idea of what it looks like, but no use for a factory or tender of course.
​
3. The Misleading GA only Drawing
This is the same as above, but with key information missing such as dimension and finishes. Basically, no good. Not even for those with a scale ruler.
​
4. The Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Drawing
These can be manufactured from, but only by the company who drew them up. For efficiency, these companies have in-house part references and leave certain details out because, they have standard ways of manufacturing that, the factory floor already know.
​
5. The Misleading Full Manufacturing Drawings
Similar to the Misleading GA drawing but even more dishonest, as at first glance it’s all there until you get into the detail.
​
6. The Full drawing Pack without the GA.
​
This is probably the most clever of all, you get all the detail drawings without as GA or bill of materials (BOM). So you cant understand the quantities or how the parts are assembled and go together.
​
All the above formats of manufacturing drawings make competitive tenders between competing manufacturers ambiguous and unfair. This is because competing manufactures can interpret details to their advantage. Ambiguous styles of drawings can lose the critical detail of the creative concept. Also, misleading drawings highlighted in the four latter examples are about manufactures wanting to control the outcome of competitive tenders, and retail work once awarded.
So, what makes the ‘perfect’ Manufacturing Drawing?
Now there’s no formula for this, it’s simply just having an unbiased, fully detailed drawing pack with all the parts, material references and process details. Detailed exploded views and subassemblies that show how the whole item goes together. Importantly, the drawings supply the CAD data that any good factory can manufacture directly from. This also means no re-drawing, and costs and time are reduced in getting items rolled out. It also helps un-tethering drawings from a factory, because there is no bias in the material processes used. You get the right material for the right job. Seems straight forward, right?
​
We truly believe in the power and value of good drawings. Due to our unbiased position in the industry we have lots of friends within creative agencies, retailers and brands, but for this argument most importantly with manufacturers. Manufacturers that understand the power of our drawings appreciate the detail and the unambiguous nature. This allows fairness when it comes to a tender, and no-one has room to misinterpret. It also means they don’t need to re-draw when it comes to them manufacturing and things can get to rollout quicker.
​
I’ve been in a few awkward situations when I’ve been present whilst a manufacturer has criticised our drawing output for being over complicated in front of a mutual client. However, at a later date complimenting us on how good our output is, and justifying their grandstanding as protecting their commercial interest. Also, some manufacturers have claimed they need to redraw our output, but when challenged it’s been a stalling tactic to win more time or as an opportunity for extra revenue. Importantly, if the manufacture redraws a project the control of the specification now sits with them and not the client.
