Drafting Standards and the Genium Drafting Manual

ASME Y14.35 – 1997, Revision of Engineering Drawings and Associated Documents

The development of ASME Y14.35, Revision of Engineering Drawings and Associated Documents, was initiated in November 1981. The subcommittee was responsible for preparing a standard that established methods for identifying and recording revisions to original drawings, associated documentation and digital data files. The most difficult part of the development process was to balance the military requirements, which at that time were defined in MIL-STD-100G, Engineering Drawing Practices, and practices common to industry at large.

During the development process the subcommittee obtained technical support from professional societies such as the National Defense Industrial Association (NOIA) [formerly known as the American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA)], Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), Electronic Industries of America (EIA), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

The latest revision to this standard was September 29, 1997, but the standard was reaffirmed in 2003 with no changes.

Keeping track of revisions and changes is a very tedious, but important, process. Change is almost inevitable and revising engineering drawings and associated lists is one of the most important links in the engineering documentation structure because of the far-reaching effects of the action. Revisions may trigger substantial paperwork crossing all functions of a business; therefore, the need for accuracy and completeness in the revision action should not be underestimated. The principles encompassed in the standard address specific practices for revising, retracing, identifying, and recording revisions to engineering drawings and associated lists and the relationships among the revision authorization documents.

Revisions (ASME Y14.35) are part of the overall system of engineering drawings and related documentation. This system is covered by a set of standards, which also includes ASME Y14.100, ASME Y14.24, and ASME Y14.34M. Formerly this system of standards was covered by MIL-STD-100, Engineering Drawing Practices. Probably the most important aspect of ASME Y14.35 for drafting professionals is that it establishes methods for identification and recording revisions. This is especially important for companies doing business with the DoD or other US government entity.

Making this standard understandable and relating it to other drafting standards is the job of the Genium Drafting Manual. On a standard such as this you would think that job would be quite straightforward, but it isn’t. Section 10.1, Revision of Engineering Drawings, is the primary section where this standard is addressed in the Genium Drafting Manual. Quite surprisingly, one of the first things addressed in this section has to do with CHANGES, but has nothing to do with REVISIONS. The first thing a draftsperson needs to determine is, When do changes require a new drawing and identification number? The Genium Drafting Manual lists seven specific conditions and if the change(s) fall under any of these conditions then you must prepare a new drawing, and all of the details about revisions which are covered in Y14.35 are irrelevant.

In addition to being specifically covered in Section 10.1 of Genium‘s Drafting Manual, ASME Y14.35 is also covered in the following sections of the Drafting Manual: