Materials & Equipment Knowledge Flashcards

Which type of pencil lead holder requires a special pointer (lead pointer) rather than a standard pencil sharpener?

Answer: Mechanical clutch-type lead holder

Clutch-type lead holders use larger diameter leads (typically 2mm) that require a rotary lead pointer to create a conical point, as standard sharpeners would break the lead.

What characteristic of drafting ink makes it preferable to regular fountain pen ink for technical drawings?

Answer: It is waterproof and highly pigmented for opaque, reproducible lines

India ink (drafting ink) is waterproof and contains dense carbon black pigment, producing opaque lines that reproduce clearly on blueline or photocopy processes.

On a technical pen (Rapidograph-type), what does the nib size number indicate?

Answer: The line width in millimeters

Technical pen nib sizes directly correspond to the line width in millimeters they produce (e.g., a 0.35 nib draws a 0.35mm wide line).

Parallel rules are primarily used as an alternative to which drafting tool?

Answer: T-square

A parallel rule slides up and down on cables to maintain a horizontal reference line parallel to the board edge, replacing the function of a T-square.

What is the standard sheet size for an ANSI D-size drawing?

Answer: 22" × 34"

ANSI D-size is 22" × 34", which is double the C-size (17" × 22") and commonly used for large mechanical assembly drawings.

Which eraser type is recommended for removing pencil lines from drafting film (Mylar) without damaging the surface?

Answer: Vinyl (plastic) eraser

Vinyl or plastic erasers are non-abrasive enough for polyester film, cleanly lifting graphite without scratching or degrading the drawing surface.

A beam compass differs from a standard compass primarily in that it:

Answer: Can draw circles and arcs of much larger radii

A beam compass has a long horizontal bar with sliding point and pencil/pen holders, allowing it to draw arcs and circles far larger than a standard bow compass can reach.