# Technical documentation in industrial design - IDology #19

- Show: [IDology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology)
- Published: 2024-04-02
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 19
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindsailors/episodes/Technical-documentation-in-industrial-design---IDology-19-e2e55pq

## Summary

Piotr Dalewski and Rafał Piłat of Mindsailors explain that technical documentation serves as a universal language between designers, manufacturers, and quality control, ensuring parts meet precise tolerances and standards. They argue that 3D models alone are insufficient for mass production because they cannot convey material properties, surface finishes, or assembly requirements, making detailed documentation essential for accurate quoting and avoiding costly errors. The guests highlight that neglecting this documentation often leads to flawed parts and disputes, as manufacturers may claim they met unspecified 'best effort' standards rather than defined engineering requirements.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=0) Introduction: Historical context of technical documentation
- [1:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=88) Technical documentation as a universal language for precision
- [4:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=249) Nominal dimensions, tolerances, and the definition of quality
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=702) Timing of documentation: Quoting and manufacturing readiness
- [14:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=855) Why 3D models are insufficient for large volume production
- [16:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=1007) Documentation as a legal and technical reference point
- [18:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=1135) Risks of handing off design to non-designers for documentation
- [22:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19#t=1327) Educating clients on the cost of skipping documentation

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Piotr Dalewski (other)
- Rafał Piłat (other)
- Voytek Holysz (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [110: Design for Manufacturing Consumer Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-01-19-110-design-for-manufacturing-consumer-products) (Product Startup)
- [Ep. 32 - How to Write Documentation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-11-08-ep-32-how-to-write-documentation) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [142: Preparing Your Product for Manufacturing Overseas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-09-21-142-preparing-your-product-for-manufacturing-overseas) (Product Startup)
- [S1E17 Precise Speech, Customer Success, & General Engineering Love | Jesseca Lyons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-26-s1e17-precise-speech-customer-success-general-engineering-love-jesseca-lyons) (Being an Engineer)
- [S6S25 Andy Thompson | Practical Applications of GD&T](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-06-20-s6s25-andy-thompson-practical-applications-of-gd-t) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-02-technical-documentation-in-industrial-design-idology-19. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to IDology.