Pop Quiz #474 pt.2

The answer to the quiz is in two parts, both included here. First I'll give the answer, including what the multiude of marks implied on the second photo and then I have some comments on all the responses.

Part One:

The blue hash marks are related to the digitizing process (CAD). If patterns are made by hand as these were, they're entered into the system via digitizing. I did say this was arcane and I'd only seen it in one plant. As the person who digitized there was not a pattern maker or grader, the hash marks were placed to indicate where along the pattern edges she was to input a point for the computer to read it. On straight edges, you don't need any points entered, just corner to corner. In fact, having no hash marks on a line implied the line was straight; it also saved digitizing time. It's best to not digitize straight lines because the computer can draw them more exactly. Curvy edges need more hash marks and readings to draw the curves well. That's the first part of the answer to part one, but first:

Is it required to place these marks along the edge? I'd say not. If the person digitizing is a grader, pattern maker or someone who is very nit picky, you typically don't need to make markings. Digitizing itself though, is a lower level skill. If the work environment is heavy, why pay a higher wage pattern maker to do it, especially if there's a lot of digitizing to do? A pattern maker would get annoyed having to do something like digitizing all day long. They'd be underutilized. If it's a slower paced environment, sure, the pattern maker and/or grader could do it.

Now, the unnecessary multitude of blue hash marks on the second pattern piece (below) sent a clear message. Everyone who saw those marks bust out laughing.