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Basic Flowchart Symbols and Meaning

Flowcharts are the best for visually representation the business processes and the flow of a custom-order process through various departments within an organization. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Flowcharts solution offers the full set of predesigned basic flowchart symbols which are gathered at two libraries: Flowchart and Flowcharts Rapid Draw. Among them are: process, terminator, decision, data, document, display, manual loop, and many other specific symbols. The meaning for each symbol offered by ConceptDraw gives the presentation about their proposed use in professional Flowcharts for business and technical processes, software algorithms, well-developed structures of web sites, Workflow diagrams, Process flow diagram and correlation in developing on-line instructional projects or business process system. Use of ready flow chart symbols in diagrams is incredibly useful - you need simply drag desired from the libraries to your document and arrange them in required order. There are a few serious alternatives to Visio for Mac, one of them is ConceptDraw PRO. It is one of the main contender with the most similar features and capabilities.
How to Build a Flowchart
How to Build a Flowchart
The vector stencils library "Valves and fittings" contains 104 symbols of valve components.
Use these icons for drawing industrial piping systems; process, vacuum, and fluids piping; hydraulics piping; air and gas piping; materials distribution; and liquid transfer systems.
"A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically valves fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category. In an open valve, fluid flows in a direction from higher pressure to lower pressure.
The simplest, and very ancient, valve is simply a freely hinged flap which drops to obstruct fluid (gas or liquid) flow in one direction, but is pushed open by flow in the opposite direction. This is called a check valve, as it prevents or "checks" the flow in one direction. ...
Valves are found in virtually every industrial process, including water & sewage processing, mining, power generation, processing of oil, gas & petroleum, food manufacturing, chemical & plastic manufacturing and many other fields. ...
Valves may be operated manually, either by a handle, lever, pedal or wheel. Valves may also be automatic, driven by changes in pressure, temperature, or flow. These changes may act upon a diaphragm or a piston which in turn activates the valve, examples of this type of valve found commonly are safety valves fitted to hot water systems or boilers.
More complex control systems using valves requiring automatic control based on an external input (i.e., regulating flow through a pipe to a changing set point) require an actuator. An actuator will stroke the valve depending on its input and set-up, allowing the valve to be positioned accurately, and allowing control over a variety of requirements." [Valve. Wikipedia]
The example "Design elements - Valves and fittings" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Chemical and Process Engineering solution from the Engineering area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Valves and fittings symbols
Valves and fittings symbols, wedge gate valve, valve manifold, tundish, swivel joint, strainer, stop check valve, soldered, solvent, socket, spigot, socket,  spigot, socket weld, sleeve joint, separator, screwed sleeve, screwed joint, screw-down valve, screw-down check valve, relief valve, relief angle valve vacuum, relief angle valve pressure, reel valve, reducing valve, reducer, powered valve, plug valve straight through, plug valve T point, plug valve L point, plug valve 3 way, plug valve, parallel slide valve, open vent, needle valve, lock-shield valve, liquid seal, joint, hydrant, globe valve, gate valve, float operated valve, flanged valve, flanged joint, bolted joint, flame arrester, exhaust silencer, exhaust head, end cap socket and spigot, end cap screwed, end cap quick release, end cap flanged and bolted, end cap fillet welded, end cap butt welded, end cap	screwed and plugged, end cap, electrically insulated, electrically bonded, drain silencer, diaphragm valve, check valve, characterized port valve, butterfly valve, butt weld, bursting disc, bell mouth, ball valve, angle valve, Y strainer, 3-way plug valve,
The vector stencils library "HVAC controls" contains 23 symbols of HVAC controls (sensors, actuators, timers, controllers, I/ O points).
"HVAC (... Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) is a control system that applies regulation to a heating and/ or air conditioning system. ...
Central controllers and most terminal unit controllers are programmable, meaning the direct digital control program code may be customized for the intended use. The program features include time schedules, setpoints, controllers, logic, timers, trend logs, and alarms. The unit controllers typically have analog and digital inputs that allow measurement of the variable (temperature, humidity, or pressure) and analog and digital outputs for control of the transport medium (hot/ cold water and/ or steam). Digital inputs are typically (dry) contacts from a control device, and analog inputs are typically a voltage or current measurement from a variable (temperature, humidity, velocity, or pressure) sensing device. Digital outputs are typically relay contacts used to start and stop equipment, and analog outputs are typically voltage or current signals to control the movement of the medium (air/ water/ steam) control devices such as valves, dampers, and motors." [HVAC control system. Wikipedia]
Use the design elements library "HVAC controls" for drawing the HVAC system diagrams, controls drawings, and automated building control and environmental control system layuout floor plans using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The shapes library "HVAC controls" is included in the HVAC Plans solution from the Building Plans area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
HVAC control symbols
HVAC control symbols, wire note, wiring note, voltage sensor, velocity sensor, water, air, timer, time clock, text label, temperature sensor
, smoke detector, smoke controller
, sensor, pressure sensor, power sensor, power connection, light sensor, input, output, point, humidity sensor
, fluid, level, flow sensor, water, air
, equipment vibration sensor, vibration sensor, equipment rotation sensor, rotation sensor, enthalpy sensor, end switch, limit switch, current sensor, air quality sensor, actuator,

Types of Flowcharts

A Flowchart is a graphical representation of process, algorithm, workflow or step-by-step solution of the problem. It shows the steps as boxes of various kinds and connects them by arrows in a defined order depicting a flow. There are twelve main Flowchart types: Basic Flowchart, Business Process Modeling Diagram (BPMN), Cross Functional Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram (DFD), IDEF (Integrated DEFinition) Flowchart, Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) Diagram, Influence Diagram (ID), Swimlane Flowchart, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Specification and Description Language (SDL) Diagram, Value Stream Mapping, Workflow Diagram. Using the Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park you can easy and quickly design a Flowchart of any of these types. This solution offers a lot of special predesigned vector symbols for each of these widely used notations. They will make the drawing process of Flowcharts much easier than ever. Pay also attention for the included collection of ready Flowchart examples, samples and quick-start templates. This is business process improvement tools. If you are looking for MS Visio for your Mac, then you are out of luck, because it hasn't been released yet. However, you can use Visio alternatives that can successfully replace its functions. ConceptDraw PRO is an alternative to MS Visio for Mac that provides powerful features and intuitive user interface for the same.
How to Simplify Flow Charting
How to Simplify Flow Charting

Types of Flowchart - Overview

When designing a process or an instruction in clear and understandable way, you should consider creating a flowchart. You can avoid spending a lot of time understanding complex concepts as they get clear with different diagrams. The flowcharts are very popular diagram type, they are useful at different fields from the description business processes to the presentation of cooking recipes. Basic Flowchart, Business Process Modeling Diagram, Process Flowchart, Cross Functional Flowchart, Procedure Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram, IDEF Flowchart, SDL Diagram, Workflow Diagram, Document Flowchart, Program Flowchart, Value Stream Map, System Flowchart, Highlight Flowchart, Sales Flowchart are the main types flowchart. The ConceptDraw PRO is one of the professional applications which has great advantages and using which you can create different types of Flowcharts easy and fast. Try to draw an illustrative and comprehensible diagram in ConceptDraw PRO describing the processes instead of writing complex long text and make sure how it is convenient. Visio is expensive, and if you use it in a team environment, these costs are compounded. ConceptDraw PRO is an affordable alternative to Visio and luckily, it comes with a team plan. ConceptDraw PRO can import and export Visio files, so Mac users can collaborate with PC users stuck on Microsoft's software.
How to Simplify Flow Charting
How to Simplify Flow Charting
The vector stencils library "HVAC controls" contains 23 symbols of HVAC controls (sensors, actuators, timers, controllers, I/ O points). Use it for drawing HVAC system diagrams, controls drawings, and automated building control and environmental control systems design. The example "HVAC controls - Vector stencils library" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the HVAC Plans solution from the Building Plans area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Temperature sensor
Temperature sensor, temperature sensor
,
Humidity sensor
Humidity sensor, humidity sensor
,
Enthalpy sensor
Enthalpy sensor, enthalpy sensor,
Pressure sensor
Pressure sensor, pressure sensor,
Flow sensor
Flow sensor, flow sensor, water, air
,
Velocity sensor
Velocity sensor, velocity sensor, water, air,
Voltage sensor
Voltage sensor, voltage sensor,
General purpose sensor
General purpose sensor, sensor,
Light sensor
Light sensor, light sensor,
Rotation sensor
Rotation sensor, equipment rotation sensor, rotation sensor,
Vibration sensor
Vibration sensor, equipment vibration sensor, vibration sensor,
Timer
Timer, timer, time clock,
Current sensor
Current sensor, current sensor,
Power sensor
Power sensor, power sensor,
Air quality sensor
Air quality sensor, air quality sensor,
Level
Level, fluid, level,
End switch
End switch, end switch, limit switch,
Smoke detector
Smoke detector, smoke detector, smoke controller
,
Power connection
Power connection, power connection,
Actuator
Actuator, actuator,
I/O point
I/O point, input, output, point,
Label
Label, text label,
Wire note
Wire note, wire note, wiring note,
The vector stencils library " Biochemistry of metabolism" contains 46 metabolite symbols for drawing metabolic pathways maps, biochemical diagrams and metabolism process flow charts using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
"Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term metabolite is usually restricted to small molecules. Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, catalytic activity of their own (usually as a cofactor to an enzyme), defense, and interactions with other organisms (e.g. pigments, odorants, and pheromones). A primary metabolite is directly involved in normal "growth", development, and reproduction. Alcohol is an example of a primary metabolite produced in large-scale by industrial microbiology. A secondary metabolite is not directly involved in those processes, but usually has an important ecological function. Examples include antibiotics and pigments such as resins and terpenes etc. ...
The metabolome forms a large network of metabolic reactions, where outputs from one enzymatic chemical reaction are inputs to other chemical reactions." [Metabolite. Wikipedia]
The shapes example "Design elements - Biochemistry of metabolism" is included in the Biology solution from the Science and Education area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Metabolic pathway symbols
Metabolic pathway symbols, water, urea cycle, urea, pyruvic acid, proteins, pool, nitrogen, polysaccharides, oxygen, oxidative phosphorylation, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NADH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD, monosaccharides, lipids, lactic acid, glycogen, glucose 6-phosphate, glucose, fatty acids, glycerol, fatty acids, fats, electron transport chain, ETC, citric acid cycle, tricarboxylic acid cycle, TCA cycle, Krebs cycle, carbon dioxide, carbohydrates, beta-oxydation, ammonia, amino acids, adenosine triphosphate, ATP, adenosine diphosphate, ADP, acetyl coenzyme A,