AFMCI21-401 — Engineering Drawing, Data Storage, Distribution And Control System

AFMCI21-401 governs Air Force engineering drawing formats and the storage, distribution, and control of engineering data.

Search AFMCI21-401

  • Publication number: AFMCI21-401
  • Title: ENGINEERING DRAWING, DATA STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM
  • Date: 2020-11-25

View AFMCI21-401 on armypubs.army.mil


It establishes policy and procedures for authorized AFMC Engineering Data Service Centers and repositories. The publication addresses drawing and dash numbers, control drawings, Engineering Orders, design activity transfers, cancellations, inactivation, reactivation, and exclusions.

Applies to: This instruction applies to all AFMC aforementioned offices and centers that use, analyze, evaluate, maintain, modify, purchase, or store engineering data elements.

Topics covered

  • Engineering drawing processes
  • Air Force drawing numbers
  • Dash numbering system
  • Control drawings
  • Engineering Orders
  • Design activity transfers
  • Drawing cancellation and inactivation
  • Drawing requirement exclusions

Questions and answers

When must engineering data and drawings be destroyed?

Destroy when superseded, obsolete, inactive, or when no longer needed, whichever is sooner. (paragraph 1)

Can Air Force drawing numbers be modified with prefixes or suffixes?

Modification of Air Force drawing numbers by inserting the drawing size indicator or by adding a prefix or suffix to identify the drawing function is not authorized except for associated lists identification as provided in ASME Y14.34 Associated Lists. (T-2). (paragraph 2)

How are dash numbers assigned to detail items?

Use odd dash numbers on all defined detail items. Use even numbers for the opposite or mirror-image items. Do not use dash numbers ending in “9” or “0” (Figure 1). (T-2). (paragraph 2)

What documentation is required when transferring a design activity?

Transfer of design activity requires documentation of agreement between the losing and gaining activities. This documentation shall be retained permanently by both gaining and losing design activities. Documentation of subsequent transfer to another design activity will also be permanently retained. (T-3). (paragraph 6)

When can an Air Force drawing be canceled?

Do not cancel Air Force drawings unless the drawing was released in error. Use a CNEO to cancel a drawing. In the Engineering Order description of changes (block 32), enter: “Add above title block ‘CANCELED’”. (T-3). (paragraph 6)

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