Masonry Magazine March 1973 Page. 14
RUB OFF
Adopting a "rub-off" technique used by commercial artists for applying lettering to artwork, Construction Technical Services Corp. of Canton, III. has developed and is marketing a series of masonry-module "instant-drafting" sheets which include a number of time-saving devices for mason contractors, draftsmen, architects and engineers.
These unique sheets, prepared at large scale and photo-reduced to conventional drawing scales, include extremely detailed plans of commonly used masonry units to exact scales. By selecting the masonry unit types and assemblies, it is possible to rapidly rub off onto paper or Mylar such drawings as masonry walls, piers, recesses, door openings, and all of the normal masonry layout components.
The 14"-scale layout sheets are particularly useful for residential construction plans. The "-scale sheets are equally useful for preparation of layouts for larger structures.
Figure 1 shows a wall assembly produced very quickly by rubbing different portions of the artwork onto a drawing. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the simplicity of assembly of such drawings using the "-scale instant-drafting sheets.
Presently in use by a number of architects and engineers, it is claimed that the sheet drawings afford extremely rapid and accurate drafting. More ... and there it is!
Fig. 1-Typical of wall assembly which can be produced.
More important than the time saved in drafting, however, is the major saving of field labor as a result of accuracy in layout on the drawings. Nearly all cutting of masonry can be avoided by using these accurately scaled sheets- the draftsmen automatically lays out a plan drawing to work to full and half-units of masonry.
Since each cell of a concrete masonry unit is shown, it is possible to accurately locate conduit, switches, vertical piping, and other components which must be built into the cells. It is possible for the mason contractor, the electrical contractor and the mechanical contractor to be completely coordinated as to the locations of electrical and mechanical built-in items to assure that they will fall into a cavity, and that the amount of cutting will be further reduced.
As a result of several years of experimental use in architects' offices, the sheets now are being utilized not only for the instant transfer of masonry units to create plans, but also for door frames, windows, room and door numbers, drywall assemblies, plumbing fixtures, toilet compartments, and other components required for building plans. In each case, the items are exactly to scale, permitting accurate location of the various components which must be built into masonry.
The instant-drafting sheets are part of a large line of dry-transfer artwork called "Contype." The line includes additional drafting aids such as preliminary planning sheets for office buildings, hospitals, churches, and so forth, as well as high quality artwork for trees, people, automobiles, birds, animals, titles, and other time-saving artwork.
The 12"x16" Contype sheets are printed on a wax base in such a manner that intense black images can be transferred from the sheet to paper or Mylar by rubbing with a stick provided for that purpose, or by rubbing with the end of a ballpoint pen or similar object. The images produced on prints from Contype are more intense than any pencil drafting can be, resulting in high-contrast prints which will not fade from sun or mortar as rapidly as normal prints, according to the company.
Construction Technical Services Corp., developer of the system, also has other aids for the construction industry such as computerized information and instruction systems for members of construction teams, image retrieval systems from microfilm, specialized drafting equipment, and similar systems and devices.
Contype has been introduced for national sale by direct mail. More information is available from Construction Technical Services Corp., Box 369, Canton, III. 61520.
masonry
March, 1973