It was a simple concept for a sturdy motor platform: four pieces of C8X10.5 channel made up the base. Two lengths of 1-in. thick steel, measuring 5 X 18-1/2 in., would provide a platform for mounting the motor. His idea was to bolt the pump to two C3X5 channels welded to the frame at one end. The supports would be machined to align correctly after welding. Selecting the right sized supports at the outset would minimize the amount of machining required to accommodate height differences.

The supervising engineer reviewed the drawing, but instead of approving it, drew four red circles on it with a note to "see me" next to each.

"See me" #1, a 7/16- in. intermittent fillet weld "2-4" involved several issues. First, a 7/16-in. fillet weld is impossible to perform at this location. While the average flange thickness of a C8X11.5 is 3/8-in., the flanges on such shapes are not parallel. The same problem existed for the 1/4-in. fillet on the C3X5 channels. At the toe, the thickness would be reduced.

Secondly, a 7/16-in. "2-4" intermittent fillet weld has the same strength as a continuous 7/32-in. fillet, yet takes twice as much weld metal. A continuous 1/4-in. fillet would be a better option — one that would resolve the first issue as well.

However, "see me" #1 didn't end there. The supervising engineer noticed that the holes for the motor mount continued through the 1-in. steel, and into the channel. Once the motor was mounted with a bolt through each leg, these welds would serve no function. Therefore, a few 1-in. long 1/4-in. leg fillet welds down either side of the pad would be sufficient.

"See me" #2 referred to the 1/2-in. 6-in. X 45° brackets, welded all around with a 1/4-in. fillet. The first problem is that the bracket is improperly located. If needed, it should be placed against the channel flanges, not the web, since any force applied tranverse to a member will enter that part of the member that lies parallel, in this case, the flange.

Next, while a 1/4-in. fillet on a 1/2-in. gusset seems reasonable, the other side of the connection is the channel web with a thickness of 1/4-in. A few short 3/16-in. fillet welds would suffice.

"See me" #3 involves the 24.5-in. long pads. The pads were to serve as alignment surfaces for the motor. Cutting two 5-in. X 24.5-in. sections from a 1-in. plate would certainly work, but four 5-in. X 6-in. sections would save 36 lb of steel on each assembly, and reduce machining time.

"See me" #4 identified a problem with the weld detail of pump channel to frame. On the other end of base, transverse channels were applied to support the pump. The channel near the center of the base was welded only to the

legs of the base channel, which was 21/4-in.-wide. Thus, the total weld length to support these channels was 9 in. On the end channel, in addition to the weld along the base channel flanges, two 16-in. welds had also been specified. If the 21/4-in. weld was sufficient in the middle channel, it should also be sufficient for the end channel.

The supervising engineer had mastered the skill of carefully reviewing drawings, and the junior engineer was about to learn. In engineering drawings — and also in CAD files — there are opportunities for improvements. Learn to spot them on paper. It's less expensive and less embarrassing than finding them after they're translated into steel.