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INTRODUCTION
Machine Trades Print Reading allows you to develop the basic skills required for
visualizing and interpreting industrial prints. Each unit begins with outcome-based
objectives you will achieve upon satisfactory completion of the unit. The objectives
describe the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for reading and understanding
drawings in the machine trades industry.
A heavy emphasis is on the use of illustrations to develop the basic skills of
visualization and to simplify the learning process. Actual industrial prints prepare you for
the real conditions found in a machine shop. Some of the industrial prints have certain
changes or modifications from the original drawings to provide a variety of information
that will aid your learning experiences.
The text consists of 13 units. The first four units give you the basics of print reading.
They present the important concepts of visualizing shapes, line usage on drawings,
basic title block format, dimensions, and tolerances. New content is included for
dimensions, tolerances, and orthographic projections. Additional illustrations reinforce
instruction and develop student skills.
Units 5 through 12 deal with industrial prints. Each unit introduces specific technical
topics about mechanical drawings and then shows how they relate to actual prints.
Metric units are minimally covered. Metric units, however, do not affect the manner
of reading prints but simply reflect mathematical conversions. A unit on Geometric
Tolerancing is included due to the large number of industrial firms using this symbolism
in describing machining procedures.
The instructional materials, illustrations, and industrial prints in Machine Trades Print
Reading appear in a systematic sequence. Each unit’s written material and illustrations
contain the technical information needed to complete the industrial print reading
questions. Each succeeding unit adds new information about the print reading process.
The drawing quizzes at the end of each unit test your print reading knowledge and skills.
Unit 13 is a collection of prints with quiz questions that review all of the material
presented in the text. The reference section and a glossary of terms are included for
your use throughout the course. They will also serve as a reference source after you
have completed this course.
Michael Barsamian
Richard Gizelbach