Manufacturing Drawing Package Checklist
6 min read
Written by Guntis Endziņš — Mechanical Engineer & Founder, Guenzo Engineering
A drawing package is complete when a supplier can quote and manufacture from it without sending a single question. This is the checklist we run before release. Print it, or copy it into your own release procedure.
1. Part drawings
- Every unique part has its own sheet with a part number matching the model and the BOM.
- Views are sufficient to define the part, with no redundant dimensions.
- Material and finish are stated on the sheet, not only in the model.
- General tolerance block present; functional features toleranced individually.
- GD&T applied to mating and datum surfaces only, with datums that a machinist can physically use.
- Threads specified with size, class and depth. Blind holes state drill depth.
- Weld symbols specified where welding is required — not "weld all round" by default.
- Sheet metal parts show bend lines, bend radius, K-factor or the supplier's bend table.
2. Assembly drawings
- Exploded view or section views showing assembly order.
- Balloons matching BOM item numbers, no missing or duplicate balloons.
- Fastener torque, thread locker and lubrication notes where they matter.
- Critical assembly dimensions and adjustment ranges shown.
- Overall envelope, mass and center-of-gravity where handling or transport is a factor.
3. Bill of materials
- Item number, part number, description, quantity, material, and make-or-buy status.
- Purchased parts identified by manufacturer part number, not a generic description.
- Sub-assemblies broken out consistently with the CAD structure.
4. Exports and file set
- STEP (AP214 or AP242) for every part and the top assembly.
- DXF flat patterns for all sheet metal parts, exported from the flattened state.
- PDF drawings, one multi-page file or a clean per-part naming convention.
- Native CAD included if the contract says the client owns the model.
- STL only for 3D-printed items, at a resolution appropriate for the process.
5. Revision and release control
- Revision letter or number on every sheet and in every filename.
- Revision history table describing what changed, not just "updated".
- Superseded files removed from the shared folder so the supplier cannot quote an old version.
- One named person responsible for answering supplier questions.
6. Final sanity pass
- Drawings regenerated after the last model change — no detached or out-of-date views.
- Interference check passed on the released assembly.
- Mass properties reasonable; a wrong material shows up here first.
- A colleague who did not model the part reads one sheet and can describe what to make.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a manufacturing drawing package contain?
Part drawings for every unique component, assembly drawings with a balloted BOM, STEP files, DXF flat patterns for sheet metal, PDF drawings and a revision history.
Do I need GD&T on every drawing?
No. Apply it to functional and mating surfaces where fit or alignment matters, and rely on the general tolerance block for the rest — blanket tight tolerances raise cost without improving the part.
Should I send native CAD to the supplier?
Send STEP for quoting and manufacturing. Send native CAD only when the supplier needs to edit the model or when your contract requires it.
How do I stop suppliers quoting an outdated revision?
Put the revision in every filename and on every sheet, and delete superseded files from the shared folder rather than archiving them alongside the current release.