Craftsman Computer Aided Mechanical Drawing study plan

Memorize the ISO 128 line types (continuous thick, continuous thin, dashed, chain, double-dashed chain) and state the correct application for each in a hand-drawn reference sheet.

Set up a metric drawing template in the CAD package with A3/A4 sheets, title block, layer scheme (outline, hidden, center, dimension, hatch, text), line weights, and text/dimension styles, then save it as the default start file.

Configure and demonstrate five environment settings: drawing units and precision, object snap, polar tracking increments, grid/snap spacing, and autosave interval.

Practice file management by saving, exporting to DXF/DWG and PDF, and recovering a deliberately corrupted copy from a backup.

Explain first-angle versus third-angle projection symbol placement and identify which standard your template uses.

Execute the full 2D command set fluently on timed drills: line, polyline, circle, arc, rectangle, polygon, ellipse, offset, trim, extend, fillet, chamfer, array, mirror, rotate, scale, stretch.

Construct geometric entities from constraints alone: draw a line tangent to two circles, bisect an angle, inscribe a hexagon in a circle, and construct a perpendicular at a line end using only compass-and-straightedge logic applied in CAD.

Use object snaps and tracking (endpoint, midpoint, center, tangent, perpendicular, intersection, extension) with zero mis-clicks in a 20-object accuracy drill.

Apply parametric or geometric constraints to keep a sketch fully defined, and diagnose under-constrained geometry by dragging it.

Create and reuse blocks with attributes for repeated symbols such as fasteners and surface-finish marks.

Project a given 3D-shaped object into front, top, and right-side views using correct alignment and projection lines, and verify the 45-degree miter transfer method.

Select the minimum number of views needed for five sample parts and justify each omission of a redundant view.

Draw hidden lines, center lines, and symmetry lines according to convention in at least three multi-view exercises, including one part with a cylindrical feature.

Convert a set of three orthographic views back into an isometric sketch to confirm reading accuracy.

Identify and correct at least five deliberate errors (misaligned views, missing hidden lines, wrong line precedence) in a supplied faulty drawing.

Apply the full dimensioning rule set: no duplicate dimensions, dimensions to visible edges only, grouping, baseline versus chain dimensioning, and placement outside the view when crowded.

Assign limits and tolerances to a shaft and hole pair and compute clearance, interference, or transition fit for three ISO fit designations (e.g., H7/g6, H7/k6, H7/s6).

Calculate allowance, maximum and minimum clearance, and tolerance stack-up for a three-part chain, showing the arithmetic.

Apply geometric tolerancing symbols (flatness, perpendicularity, position, concentricity) with correct datum references on two sample parts.

Dimension a drawing so that every feature is defined once and no dimension is redundant, verified by a self-check against a checklist.

Produce a full section, a half section, and an offset section of the same part and compare which features each reveals.

Apply section conventions: omit hidden lines in the sectioned view, hatch adjacent parts at different angles, and exclude shafts, bolts, ribs, and webs from hatching when cut longitudinally.

Create a broken-out section and a revolved section for a thin feature such as a rib or spoke.

Construct an auxiliary view from an inclined surface using the correct reference-plane method and project the true shape.

Label cutting-plane lines, section arrows, and view identifiers consistently with the standard you selected in week 1.

Draw a complete mechanical part drawing for a bracket or housing including all views, sections, dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, and a title block.

Create a detail drawing set for three components of a small assembly (e.g., a shaft, a bushing, and a cover) with consistent dimensioning schemes.

Assemble the parts into an assembly drawing with a bill of materials, item balloons, and a parts list keyed to the balloons.

Apply standard representation of threaded fasteners, bearings, springs, and weld symbols in the assembly.

Check the assembly for interference and confirm that mating dimensions match across detail drawings.

Prepare drawings for output: set plot scale, choose paper size, configure line-weight scaling, and verify that line weights print as intended at 1:1 and 1:2.

Create a multi-sheet layout set with a consistent title block, revision table, and drawing numbering scheme.

Export to PDF and DXF and confirm that layers, text, and dimensions survive the round trip without loss.

Write a drawing register and a short documentation note covering revision control, approval signatures, and file naming conventions.

Run a final plot check against a print-readability checklist (text height, arrow size, line contrast).

Re-derive from memory the line-type, dimensioning, and tolerancing rules that were weakest on practice quizzes, and record them in a one-page cheat sheet.

Complete a timed full-length mock exam under exam conditions and score it by domain to identify residual weak areas.

Redo every mock-exam question answered incorrectly and write a one-line reason for each error.

Review fit calculations and tolerance stack-up once more, since these carry high weight in domain 5 and are common error sources.

Confirm readiness by scoring at least 80 percent on a second, shorter timed quiz covering domains 1, 5, and 8.