Skill: AutoCAD or Equivalent, Design and Draw a New Gate System
Skill level: 5
Organisational
Learning Objective
Learn how to create professional, accurate gate system drawings using AutoCAD (or similar), helping you present designs to customers, manufacture gates precisely, and improve our company’s reputation for professionalism and quality.
1. Overview
A clear CAD drawing:
Helps win work — professional and detailed presentation
Ensures manufacturing accuracy — reduces errors and rework
Improves communication with customers
Allows precise hinge offsets, gaps, and bracket placement
Elevates company image — few competitors provide this service
2. Tools & Materials Required
AutoCAD (Autodesk version preferred)
Drawing templates (from Dropbox or in-house library)
Gate spec sheet and survey notes
Accurate site measurements: pier width, gate height, slope, pier cap height
CAD blocks (hinges, motors, caps, decorative features)
Mouse, keyboard, and ideally external monitor
Optional: free training resources for improving CAD skills
3. Before You Start (Design and Planning)
Confirm customer requirements: style, finish, material
Gather accurate site survey notes (pier widths, slopes, heights)
Plan gate leaf clearances (usually 20mm between leaves)
Ensure you have the correct Dropbox folder created for the job
Consider slope and ground line in design
4. Procedure
A. Set Up the Drawing
Open AutoCAD and start a new drawing or load a company template
Set units to millimetres
Save into the correct Dropbox customer folder immediately
B. Draw Site Features
Draw rectangles for gate piers
Add ground line (flat or sloped)
Add pier caps if applicable
C. Draw Gates
Calculate clearance between gate leaves (20mm typical)
Add gate frames: base and top frames aligned to design
Offset for box section thickness (usually 50mm)
Position hinges/motor shoes correctly
Add verticals, horizontals, and optional curves with spline tool
D. Add Details
Add sub-rails, dog bars, or decorative features
Insert CAD blocks for hinges, locks, motors if needed
Add annotations: height, width, materials, finish, RAL colour
E. Finalise
Export a PDF copy for customer approval
Save final DWG in Dropbox
Once approved, forward final to fabrication
5. Best Practices
Save frequently and keep file versions clear
Use layers to separate gates, piers, ground line, and notes
Label all critical dimensions (hinge centres, ground clearance, pier widths)
Always annotate finish and material
Provide both DWG (internal) and PDF (customer) versions
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Not allowing clearance for hinge offsets or motor shoes
🚫 Forgetting to show slope or stepped driveway
🚫 Saving files in the wrong folder
🚫 No annotation for material, finish, or style
🚫 Sending the wrong version to the customer or fabrication
🚫 Overcomplicating model space without using layers
7. Safety Information
Relevant SSOW References:
SSOW-01: Electrical Safety and Isolation (if measuring near live supplies)
SSOW-05: Office and Computer Use (ergonomics at workstation)
SSOW-08: Manual Handling (survey equipment, laptops)
SSOW-10: Lone Working and Customer Premises (during surveys)
SSOW-11: PPE – High-Vis, Safety Boots when on active sites
SSOW-12: Working Safely in Driveways and Public Areas