Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 12

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Create a realistic timeline for completing your PAT and portfolio.
• Critically review and refine your existing drawings.
• Apply correct CAD and drafting standards for better presentation.
• Identify and solve any remaining technical challenges in your PAT.
• Organise your portfolio in a clear and professional manner.

Lesson summary

The Grade 12 Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) Portfolio and Practical Assessment Task (PAT) are significant components of your final year mark. This week focuses specifically on ensuring you are on track for completing your PAT and organizing your portfolio in a manner that showcases your skills and knowledge effectively. The PAT is a practical, design-based project designed to assess your ability to apply EGD principles to a real-world problem. The portfolio is a collection of your work throughout the year, demonstrating your understanding of the syllabus.

Lesson notes

Understanding the PAT and Portfolio Requirements: The PAT and portfolio are designed to assess your abilities across various EGD domains. The PAT typically involves a specific design challenge that requires you to apply your knowledge of orthographic projection, isometric drawing, sectioning, developments, CAD, and South African National Standards (SANS) conventions. The portfolio demonstrates the breadth of your skills through a collection of completed drawings, assignments, and projects.

Critical Elements of the PAT: Problem Identification and Definition: A clear understanding of the design problem, its constraints, and objectives. This includes proper research and analysis of the client's needs (if applicable).

Conceptualization and Design Development: The process of generating and evaluating different design solutions, selecting the most appropriate one, and developing it into a detailed design. This requires the application of creativity, problem-solving skills, and EGD principles.

Technical Drawings: Accurate and detailed orthographic projections, isometric views, sectioned views, and developments that communicate the design effectively to others. These drawings must adhere to SANS conventions for dimensioning, tolerancing, and notation.

CAD Proficiency: Efficient and accurate use of CAD software to create and modify drawings, ensuring precision and clarity. Materials and Manufacturing Considerations: An understanding of the materials and manufacturing processes involved in realizing the design.

Functionality and Aesthetics: The design should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, considering factors such as ergonomics, safety, and environmental impact.

Critical Elements of the Portfolio: Completeness: All required drawings and assignments are included.

Accuracy: Drawings are accurate and adhere to SANS conventions.

Neatness: Drawings are neat, clean, and well-presented.

Organization: The portfolio is organized logically and systematically.

Evidence of Learning: The portfolio demonstrates your understanding of EGD principles and your ability to apply them to different design problems.

Self-Reflection: A written reflection on your learning experience, highlighting your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

CAD Best Practices: Layer Management: Use layers effectively to organize different elements of your drawing (e.g., dimensions, hidden lines, centerlines). This makes it easier to edit and modify the drawing.

Object Snaps: Use object snaps to ensure accuracy when drawing and dimensioning.

Dimension Styles: Create and use dimension styles to ensure consistency in dimensioning.

Text Styles: Create and use text styles to ensure consistency in text appearance.

Blocks and Symbols: Use blocks and symbols to represent frequently used objects. This saves time and reduces errors. SANS Conventions (Example - Orthographic Projection): Third-Angle Projection: In South Africa, we generally use third-angle projection. The object is placed behind the projection planes, and the view is as if you are looking through the object.

Line Types: Use appropriate line types to represent visible edges, hidden edges, centerlines, and cutting planes. Visible edges are thick continuous lines, hidden edges are dashed lines, and centerlines are long-short dashed lines.

Dimensioning: Use aligned dimensioning (dimensions are aligned with the dimension line) and ensure all dimensions are clear and unambiguous. Use extension lines and dimension lines appropriately.