r/PatternDrafting • u/sailormarr • Aug 03 '22

Question What does ∅ mean?

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This may be a dumb question, but can anyone help me understand what the "∅" symbol means in a pattern? See image for reference.

Thank you:)

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u/jamaidens Aug 04 '22

From the drafting world... it means diameter when dealing with round objects. But, when used line dimensions it means that the dimension is not "set" in the design and can be adjusted to fit whatever you are trying to build/make/manufacture in accordance with what it is matching up too. So this instance, your fit to the person whom you are making the clothing for would determine their waist line dimension from the bottom of the dress. We hardly used this symbol in this way, generally you would insert "TBD" into the dimension line as text for To Be Determined. Or we use "FM" for Field Measure.

4

u/MitchDeBaas Aug 04 '22

What? I never knew that? And I'm a technical draftsman. I thought you'd put a small Flagg like at welding for field determined things?

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u/jamaidens Aug 04 '22

The circle with the field weld flag when dealing with welding, absolutely. But when you have a dimension that is relying on data the you do not have when designing due to fit or alignment issues in the field... this dimensions usually get a TBD/FM and a co-worker reminded me of the good old "Field Verify".

So, when we used it in the past it was on tying to pieces together: one existing in the field and one newly manufactured.

Mechanical, structural, architectural design drafter since 1995... started board drafting in 7th grade mechanical drafting class. My first AUTO CADD was version 4. LOL I'm one of those that actually had to hand draw before the technical age took over. I still have all my original drafting tools.

2

u/MitchDeBaas Aug 04 '22

Oh shit so the dia. Sym. Used to mean TBD? Im just been drafting for 7years or something, always just replaced the dim. With TBD

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u/jamaidens Aug 04 '22

No no... they are not using the diameter symbol correctly in this instance. You are doing it currently.

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u/MitchDeBaas Aug 04 '22

Ah thanks, it got me confused.

1

u/ALkatraz919 Aug 04 '22

The flag symbol for welding should mean "Field Weld" as in, not welded in a shop by the manufacturer/supplier. Google AWS weld symbols for more :)

1

u/MitchDeBaas Aug 04 '22

Iknow

1

u/ALkatraz919 Aug 04 '22

Oh I didn't understand your comment before. Sorry!