On 7 Jul 98, TOM HYBISKE wrote:

> ANSI Y14.2 sizes text and lines for a specific formats so that they may be
> "blown back" from microfilm with legible results.  For instance, the
> smallest text size permitted on a D size document is .140. The down side
> to this are the gargantuan symbols that result from using this text at
> this size. Our terminal spacing on a typical symbol is no closer than
> .300, so as you can imagine, a large part can take up the entire page. But
> as you mentioned, we too are getting away from formal schematic
> documentation, and are no longer including it as part of the drawing
> package for many projects.  Instead, the schematics are primarily used for
> generating information for our CAD tool.

Actually ANSI Y14.2 states that the text heights are "recommended" and that
whatever size you use must be clearly legible when reporducing.  We use one
size text for our symbols, notes, callouts, etc.  And that size is .060" high X
.048 wide X .005" stroke width.  We don't use different size text on different
size drawings - it's tough enough to get them to use the same one from one
drawing to the next.

Our terminal spacing minimum is .150" so we can get away with smaller text.
A C size schematic printed out on our B size laser printer is a tad bit small but
legible.  D size - nope.  But we can shrink those down to a C easily.

And as for your comment about schematics being so lightly used - ARGH!
Schematics, epsecially a well done one (such as mine), are a tremendously
powerful tool.  We can pack so much information into one so that when the
data is transferred over into the board layout alot of the work is already done.
That is IF we are given the information ahead of time.  Schematics are not just
another pretty picture - they can be real workhorses if done properly (such as
mine).  In my *humble* opinion.

And now I will turn the soap box over to the next speaker.  Cya!

Jo  aka the "Cadstar Goddess"  ;-)

JoAnn L. Amerson
Design Librarian
Red Lion Controls, Inc.
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Voice: (717) 767-6961 ext 6308

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