Does the Library have blueprints?
Answer
For some assignments in Engineering Graphics classes students are told to find blueprints or technical drawings. Here are some suggestions for finding drawings that might be useful for this assignment. The focus here is engineering or technical drawings - not blueprints of buildings.
In OneSearch try one of these searches:
SUBJECT (not keyword): engineering graphics
SUBJECT: computer aided design
SUBJECT: mechanical movements
SUBJECT: machine design
Look in the books for drawings you can use.
In OneSearch try KEYWORD searches such as:
pump design
aircraft design
automobile design
gear* design (gear* will search for gear, gears, gearing, etc.)
Browse in the TJ or TL call number areas on the 3rd floor. TJ is the mechanical engineering section. TL is aerospace and automotive engineering. [map of 3rd floor showing call number ranges]
The Knovel collection includes many mechanical engineering and design handbooks. Search for a specific device or part, or browse in the Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering collection.
The Vendor Data section of the Mechanical Engineering Research Guide has links to websites of industrial suppliers, a potential source of images and drawings.
ThomasNet is a directory of manufacturers. It includes links to manufacturers' catalogs and website. One of the main categories on this website is CAD drawings.
The-Blueprints.com claims to have nearly 50,000 blueprints online.
ARCAT, Inc. Website for architects, engineers, and specifiers; includes 10,500 manufacturer listings by alpha or CSI section, 7000 BIM Models, 900 specs all in the CSI 3 part format, 300 SpecWizards for automated spec writing and 7,000 CAD Details.
Search for blueprints in Google Images. You might also try searching on engineering drawings instead of blueprints as the word blueprints retrieves lots of drawings of buildings.
This is often a challenging question for the Library. Students who find a good source for blueprints or engineering drawings are encouraged to send the information to the Engineering Librarian.