Normalized lines

Types of lines
In technical drawings, different types of lines are used; their types and thicknesses have been
normalized in the different standards. On this page, we will not address the UNE 1- standard.
032-82, equivalent to ISO 128-82.
Only the types and thicknesses of lines indicated in the attached table will be used. In case of
to use other types of lines different from those indicated, or to be used in other applications
different from those indicated in the table, the chosen agreements must be indicated in others
International standards should be cited in a legend or appendix in the drawing of what is
trade.
In the following figures, you can see the different types of lines and their applications.
The attached table specifies the different types, their designation, and applications.
concrete.
 Line widths
In addition to their shape, lines differ by their width or thickness. In the designs at
pencil, this differentiation is made by varying the pressure of the pencil, or by using
pencils of different hardness. In ink drawings, the line width must be chosen, in
function of the dimensions or type of drawing, within the following range:
0.18–0.25–0.35–0.5–0.7–1–1.4 and 2 mm.
Given the difficulty encountered in certain reproduction procedures, the line is not advised.
width 0.18.
These width values, which may seem random, actually correspond to the
need for expansion and reduction of the plans, since the relationship between an A4 format and a
A3 is approximately √2. In this way, by enlarging an A4 format with line thickness
0.5 in A3 format, those lines would become 5 x √2 = 0.7 mm.
The relationship between the widths of fine and thick lines in the same drawing should not be
less than 2.
The same line width should be maintained for the different views of a piece, drawn.
with the same scale.
Spacing between the lines
The minimum spacing between parallel lines (including the representation of hatching) is not
it should never be less than twice the width of the thickest line. It is recommended that this
space should never be less than 0.7 mm.
Priority order of the matching lines
In the representation of a drawing, it can happen that different types overlap.
lines, therefore the standard has established a preference order when representing them,
the order is as follows:
Contours and edges seen.
2. Hidden contours and edges.
3. Traces of cutting plans.
4. Axes of revolution and traces of symmetry plane.
5. Lines of center of gravity.
6. Projection lines
The contiguous contours of assembled or joined parts must match, except in the case
of thin black sections.
Termination of reference lines
A reference line is used to indicate an element (dimension line, object, outline, etc.).
The reference lines must end:
At one point, they end up inside the outline of the represented object.
In an arrow, if they end at the outline of the represented object.
3. Without point or arrow, if they end in a contour line.
 Guidelines on the use of lines

The lines of axis of symmetry must slightly extend beyond the outline of the piece and
also those of the center of circles, but they should not continue from one view to another.
In the circles, the axes must intersect, and not cross, if the circles are very
thin continuous lines will be drawn small.
3. The axis of symmetry can be omitted in pieces whose symmetry is perceived very clearly.
4. The axes of symmetry, when we represent a half view or a quarter, will carry in their
extremes, two small parallel lines.
5. When two dashed lines are parallel and very close to each other, the dashes will be drawn.
alternated.
6. The dashed lines, whether they end in a solid line or dashes, will end in a stroke.
7. A dashed line will not intersect a solid line or another dashed line when crossing.
8. The arcs of strokes will end at the points of tangency.
 LABELING OF LETTERS AND NUMBERS
Lettering is the art of writing letters and numbers according to certain rules.
established. It was during the late 19th century when C.W. Reinhardt (former chief draftsman
from Engineering News) saw the need to create a simple and legible typeface that could
to be made with simple strokes. That is why I develop uppercase letter alphabets and
lowercase, based on gothic letters and a systematic series of strokes.

After Reinhardt, an unnecessary and confusing diversity began to develop.

styles and letter shapes. Then the American Standards Association intervenes, in
1935 to establish letter standards that are known today as ASA standards, which,
would standardize the German Standards Committee (DIN, 1916), which in the 19th century, with
the industrial development and Technical Drawing saw the need for a simple and legible font
that covered the alphabet of both uppercase and lowercase slanted and straight letters, so that the
Gothic style with systematic strokes was chosen for the standardization of letters (DIN)
(ASA), like theclassof the most commonly used letters, based on simple or systematic strokes.
The letters can be uppercase or upper case and lowercase or lower case, both based on
inclined or vertical type. In somecompaniesonly the vertical type is used; in
others the inclined type. And, finally, sometimes they use vertical letters for the titles and
italic letters for dimensions and notes, or other combinations. The draftsman who wants
to occupy a place in somecompanywill have to adapt to its customs.

The labels and dimensions used in technical drawing cannot be left to individual discretion, as
rules are established to avoid confusion. • Venezuela (NORVEN or COVENIN) fund
standard in Venezuela. • United States (ASA) American standard association. • Spain (UNE)
unification of Spanish standards. • Argentina (IRAM) Argentine Institute of Standardization and
certification. • Germany (DIN) German standards institute. ISO (International Organization
for Standardization) is an institution that seeks to unify existing systems for the benefit
of universal technology. Through the famous ISO9000 standards.

Labeling is very important in technical drawing, as it clarifies aspects that the

Drawing by itself cannot explain. Example: a small error in the label of a plan.
the structure could result in significant losses for the construction company when correcting the error.
Currently, there are various mechanical devices on the market for letter tracing and
normalized numbers. The simplest ones are made up of templates called
normographs. Transferable letters or stickers are also found

Labeling is an integral part of a drawing as it explains certain aspects and indicates dimensions.
and is part of a presentation. Therefore, poorly done labeling lowers the quality of the
general work. The purpose of labeling is to indicate in writing all the information
necessary of a drawing and the name is because the type of letters and numbers must be drawn from
agreement with the techniques.

For thedescriptionto complete a plan, the graphic language is required to show the shape
and the writing to indicate the measurements,methodsof work, types of material and other
information. Thus, the good draftsman, in addition to knowing how to draw perfectly, must have
a lot of fluency in handwriting.

The normalized letters are governed by the DIN standards, whose initials stand for Dat Ist Norm (this
It is normal). The DIN typography designates the collective works of the German standards committee.
And there are two types: DIN 16 and DIN 17. The standards for DIN 16 and DIN 17 were reviewed and
reformed by the DIN in 1968 and the DIN 6775 standard, series 1, was created, which aligns with the ISO
of number 398/1. The fundamental reason was the microfilming.

The old DIN 16 and DIN 17 and the new standard 6775 differ in terms of the value of the
nominal height measurement. In those, the relationship of the nominal height was 7/7; in the new one, the
The nominal height ratio is 10/10. Using both styles in the same is not allowed.
drawing and underlining them.
The DIN 17 typography is the normalized vertical letter, it is the most used and recommended for
Label drawings and dimensions. This type of font is used to write signs, files, labels.
of plans, etc. • Standard Letters: present dimensions of height and width directly
proportional. • Narrow letters: their height is not proportional to their width. • Wide letters: the
the width of the letters is greater than their height.

The DIN 16 Calligraphy is the standardized slanted letter. For many, it is the easiest to perform.
The piece of letter and number is uniform, its inclination is 75º in relation to the horizontal line.
In the slanted letters, the circular parts are made in an elliptical shape. It is used for the
labeling of topographic maps.
The main rules for calligraphy are:

To maintain the width of the letter:

• Height of the lettering: is at the discretion of the sign maker.

• Letter spacing: the width of the letter is taken and divided by four.
Separation between words: the result of the separation between letters is added three times.
Line spacing: corresponds to the same measurement as the height of the letter.

The pencil for making labels can be a medium-soft pencil with a pointed tip. Generally, it
they use H series, specifically 2H or HB. Suggestions:

Sharpen the pencil to a needle point.

Make the tip slightly blunt, turning it gently on a piece of paper.
• Rotate the pencil slightly between letters to keep the tip blunt.
The strokes must be very dark and well-defined.
The labeling is done freehand.

There are devices and templates for labeling which allow for the drawing of standardized letters.
of various heights with great uniformity. Different thicknesses are available in the market.
pens for the corresponding sizes. The guides and templates also contain
many symbols used in the plans, such as symbols ofwelding, architectural,
electric, etc.
LABELING EXAMPLES