Question:
What is the best way to handle large format ("C" and "D" size) drawings?
Discussion:
Handling large size drawings properly is expensive and time consuming. Anyone who has ever worked with a flat file knows the frustrations associated with filing these documents. Anything beyond a "B" size is just difficult to deal with. As a general rule, large format documents require a lot of physical space to store and use, are difficult to copy and microfilm, have very expensive and inefficient filing systems, and require a lot of storage space on computerized systems.
The need for large size or full scale drawings will most likely never be eliminated, but we certainly no longer need to use such large pieces of paper for most all drawings. With today's CAD systems and laser printers, a properly drawn "D" size drawing can be reduced to a readable "A" size and a very readable "B" size. Mechanical (hand drawn) drawings never gave us the option to print the "original" document in any size we wanted.
Our recommendation:
If you have a CAD system and a "B" size laser printer, our recommendation is to eliminate creating full size drawings. Some people are absolutely appalled by this idea, but there is no law that says originals must be full size drawings. Consider the advantages:
Easily copied in most all copiers
Eliminates the need for expensive and awkward flat files ("B" size can be foldedand stored as an "A" size in a standard filing cabinet)
Can be easily scanned into an electronic document control and filing system
Can be easily microfilmed on 16 mm film (no more need for expensive aperture cards)
Prints are created in much less time than it takes using a plotter
Significantly increases filing efficiency
A full sized drawing can always be plotted if needed, but we think you will find, as we have, such a requirement is rare.
However, if you are still using mechanical drawings this recommendation will not be of much help. There are systems for large format drawings that can help. The big advantage is that you are not limited to filing by size as with flat files. Retrieving and filing drawings is also much easier. For day-to-day document use, a "B" size drawing reproduced from an aperture card or a large scale reduction copier is the only alternative.
Any comments?
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