Technical Description The organization and presentation of complex technical information.

It is necessary... to define love first, and to describe his nature, and then to go on to his works. PLATO “The Symposium” – ‘Socrates and Diotima’

The basis of Western thought As Plato has stated, to understand something we must first define then describe then illustrate

The Apple Peeler

Simplification Strategy

Initial Approach Initially the reader wants to know what the object is, what it does, and how it works. In order to effectively describe these things it is necessary to familiarise the reader with the object. Identifying and naming the various components is a good place to start as it provides the reader and writer with a common foundation of knowledge.

Naming Frame Rod AssemblyEjector Gear Release Lever Peeler Assembly Coring Blade

Reduction of Complexity

Establishing a Starting Point Finding the piece of the mechanism to which all other components are attached is an effort that makes the descriptive task much simpler. It is common for mechanisms to have some primary structural member that provides support for the various assemblies that make up the mechanism.

Reduction of Complexity

Simplification Strategy

Naming Grip Offset Handle Threaded Rod Trident

Selective Focus

Reduction of Complexity

Description of Specifics At the most specific level the description is limited to the object itself, rather than the parts of which it is composed. You can now describe the functional and physical specifics of the part  purpose  material  dimensions  finish  method of attachment

A Sample Description The threaded rod translates the rotational motion from the handle into axial motion necessary to push the apple through the peeling blades. It also supports the other components of the rod assembly. The Ø 0.375” x 8” cold-rolled steel rod has a 0.25” UNC machine thread cut into the middle (see Fig.3 for specifics). The rod passes through, and is supported by, the bushing mounts on the frame (slide fit).