DRAFTING MANUAL
1
Update 61
Definitions and Interpretations
Update
by B. Harding*
61
1.0 General
The purpose of the following definitions is to assist in clarify-
ing terms as quickly as possible. These term appear throughout
the Drafting Manual in various sections pertaining to a specific
subject matter. Most definitions are related to dimensioning
practices.
2.0 Definitions
The most commonly used terms are defined here. Others can
be added later if Drafting Manual users require them. All
definitions are consistent with the standards from which they
are derived.
Allowance – An intentional difference between the maximum
material conditions (MMC) of mating parts. If specified it can
also mean the difference between the least material conditions
(LMC) of mating parts. As the minimum clearance it is called
positive allowance or at maximum interference between such
parts, the negative allowance.
Altered item – An item taken from existing stock (usually a
commercial part) or standard part, altered or reworked to meet
a specific design need.
Approximate – Usually, an interim term applied to a calcu-
lated or an estimated dimension until the actual size is deter-
mined. Reference dimensions may be thought of as approxi-
mate.
Assembly – Two or more parts or subassemblies, or combina-
tions thereof, joined together to perform a specific function.
The distinction between an assembly and subassembly is
determined by the individual application. For example in one
instance an assembly could be a subassembly of a higher level
assembly.
Auxiliary view – An additional view to supplement the
information conveyed by the views given in conventional form
on a drawing; a view of a surface not in the usual plane of
projection.
Axis – A straight line or curve about which a feature of
revolution revolves or about which opposing features are
symmetrical. Note that in numerical control nomenclature,
three mutually perpendicular straight axes form the basis of a
Cartesian coordinate system.
Basic hole system – A system of fits in which the design size
of the hole is the basic size and the allowance is applied to the
shaft.
Basic shaft system – A system of fits in which the design size
of the shaft is the basic size and the allowance is applied to the
hole.
*Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 GENIUM PUBLISHING
Section K12.
Page 1
July 1999*
Basic size – See Dimension, basic.
Burr – A feather-like cross section of material developed
along the cut edge of a surface.
CAD/CAM – Computer-aided design/computer-aided manu-
facturing are computer systems for use in component design
and fabrication.
Center line – A unique line used to represent axes of sym-
metrical features.
Circularity – Formerly known as roundness. A tolerance zone
bounded by two concentric circles within which each circular
element of the surface must lie.
Coaxiality – A condition where the axes of two or more
surfaces of revolution are coincident. The amount of permis-
sible variation from the coaxiality may be expressed by a
positional or runout tolerance. The selection of the proper
control depends on the design’s functional requirements. See
also Concentricity.
Concentricity – A condition where the median points of all
cross-sectional elements of a surface of revolution are congru-
ent with the axis of a datum feature.
Condition, least material (LMC) – The condition where a
feature of size contains the least amount of material within the
stated limits of size, e.g., the upper limit or maximum hole
diameter and lower limit or minimum shaft diameter.
Condition, maximum material (MMC) – The condition
where the feature of size contains the maximum amount of
material permitted within the stated limits of size; for example,
minimum hole diameter and maximum shaft diameter.
Condition, regardless of feature size (RFS) – The term used
to indicate the default geometric tolerance or material condition
of the datum reference applied at any increment of feature size
within its tolerance where MMC or LMC is not specified. The
RFS symbol is no longer used.
Condition, virtual – The boundary generated by the collective
effects of the MMC or LMC material condition of a feature and
any applicable geometric tolerances. (See Condition, maximum
material or Condition, least material).
Coordinate dimensioning – Rectangular coordinate dimen-
sioning where all dimensions are measured from two to three
mutually perpendicular datum planes.
Coplanarity – A condition where all points on two or more
surfaces fall within the tolerance zone of a single plane.
*Supersedes issue of November 1989
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July 1999*
Cylindricity – A condition of a surface of revolution where all
points are equidistant from a common axis.
Datum feature – An actual feature of a part used to establish a
datum, such as a surface, hole, or slot.
Datum feature simulated – A point, axis, or plane established
by processing or inspection equipment; for example, a surface
plate, gage surface or a mandrel.
Datum feature simulator – A surface of sufficient precision
(such as a surface plate, gage surface or a mandrel) contacting
the datum feature(s) used to establish the simulated datum(s).
Datum plane – A theoretically exact point, axis, or plane
derived from the true geometric counterpart of a specified
datum feature. A datum is the origin from which the location or
geometric characteristics of a part’s features are established.
Datum target – A specified point, line or area on a part used
to establish a datum plane.
Delineation (graphic) – The lines which represent the object’s
form, outline, or contours as differentiated from the dimen-
sions, notes, other non-pictorial representations, or descriptions
of the part or its details.
Dimension – A numerical value expressed in appropriate units
of measure and indicated on a drawing and in other documents,
along with lines, symbols and notes which are used to define
geometric characteristics, a part, or a part feature.
Dimension, basic – A numerical value used to describe the
theoretically exact size, profile, orientation, location, a feature,
or location of a datum target. It is the basis from which
permissible variations are established by tolerances or other
dimensions in notes or in feature control frames.
Dimension, form – A dimension that specifies a feature of a
part which cannot be properly defined by dimensions of size or
location such as: the angle of the frustum of a cone, the
involute angle of a gear, or the angle of a thread.
Dimension, location – A dimension that specifies the position
or distance relationship of one feature of a part with respect to
another.
Dimension, reference – A dimension, usually without toler-
ance, used only for information purposes and shown in
parenthesis. It does not govern production or inspection
operations.
Dimension, size – A dimension that specifies the position or
distance relationship of one feature of size on a part with
respect to another.
*Supersedes issue of November 1989
GENIUM PUBLISHING
Update 61
Drawing, non-part – An engineering drawing that provided
requirements, procedures, instruction, etc., applicable to an
item when it is inconvenient to include such information on the
applicable part of assembly drawing. Examples include test
requirements drawing, wiring diagram drawing, index drawing,
etc.
Eccentricity – A condition wherein the center of one sym-
metrical feature is offset from the center of another. (Note –
this term is no longer used.)
Envelope, actual mating (external feature) – The perfect
counterpart of the smallest size that can be circumscribed about
a feature as it contacts the surface at the highest points.
Envelope, actual mating (internal feature) – For an internal
feature, the perfect counterpart that can be inscribed within the
feature as it contacts the highest points.
Feature – Any physical portion of a part, for example, a hole,
slot, or surface.
Feature of size – One cylindrical or spherical surface, or a set
of two opposed elements or opposing parallel surfaces associ-
ated with a size dimension.
Fit – The general term used to signify range of tightness or
looseness which results from application of a specific combina-
tion of allowances and tolerances in mating parts.
Fit, clearance – A clearance fit is one having limits of size so
specified that a clearance always results when mating parts are
assembled.
Fit, interference – An interference fit is one having limits of
size so specified that an interference always results when
mating parts are assembled.
Flatness – A condition of a surface having all elements in one
plane.
Full indicator movement (FIM) – The total movement of an
indicator when applied to a feature in an appropriate manner to
measure its variations. Also known as total indicator reading
(TIR).
Interference – The total amount of deformation to be over-
come in order to force an internal member into a smaller
external member.
Item – A nonspecific term used to denote any product,
including a system, part, subassembly, set, accessory, etc. It is
also used interchangeably with find numbers used to locate part
numbers on assembly drawings and parts lists.
 DRAFTING MANUAL
Definitions and Interpretations
Update 61
Item levels – From the simplest division to the more complex
entities as follows: Part, Subassembly, Assembly Unit, Group
Set, Subsystem, System.
Limit system – A system which indicates only the largest and
smallest permissible dimensions.
Limits – Maximum and minimum values prescribed for a
specific dimension.
Limits of size – Applicable maximum and minimum sizes.
Limits, lower – The minimum value prescribed for specific
dimensions.
Limits, upper – The maximum value prescribed for specific
dimensions.
Line fit – A condition where the upper limit of a shaft and the
lower limit of a hole are the same value. In such cases surface
contact or clearance may result between mating parts when
assembled.
Matched parts – Those parts such as special application parts
which are machine matched, or otherwise mated, and for which
replacement as a matched set or pair is essential.
Materials, bulk – Those necessary constituents of an assembly
of parts as listed on parts lists, such as solder, flux, cement,
glue, welding rod, leather, etc., for which the quantity required
can not be readily predetermined nor predicted.
Method dimensioning – A planned arrangement of dimen-
sions with definite objectives.
Number, reference – An identification such as a catalog
number, drawing number, parts list number, instruction
number, etc.
Parallelism – A condition of a surface or axis equidistant at all
points from a datum plane or axis.
Perpendicularity – The condition of a surface, median plane,
or axis at right angle to a datum plane or axis.
Profile – The outline of an object in a given plane.
Projection, orthographic – A system of drawing composed of
images of an object formed by projectors from the object
perpendicular to desired planes of projection. (A projector is an
imagined line from an object to a surface along which projec-
tion takes place.)
Roundness – A term no longer used. See circularity.
Size, actual – The general measured size of a feature.
GENIUM PUBLISHING
Section K12.1
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July 1999*
Size, actual local – The actual measured size at any cross
section of a feature.
Size, actual mating – The dimensional value of the actual
mating envelope.
Size, nominal – The designation used for general identifica-
tion, e.g., 1.50 IPS, 0.062 stock size, etc. It is not necessarily
the mean size permitted by toleranced dimensions.
Slope – The inclination of a surface expressed as a ratio of the
difference in the heights at each end to the distance between
those heights.
Standing instruction – An instruction issued by engineering to
cover manufacturing and testing methods or processes.
Straightness – A condition where individual elements of a
surface or an axis are in a straight line.
Symmetry – A condition in which a feature(s) is (are) sym-
metrically disposed about a center plane of a datum feature.
Technological treatment – The methods, practices, and
procedure of subjecting materials or products to specific
treatments, measurements, tests, etc.
Thread, left-hand – Thread with counter-clockwise progres-
sion, looking at end where engagement begins.
Thread, right-hand – Thread with clockwise progression
looking at end at which engagement begins.
Tolerance – The total amount by which a specific dimension is
permitted to vary. The tolerance is the difference between the
maximum or upper limit and the lower or minimum limits.
Tolerance of form – Tolerances that specify how far actual
surfaces are permitted to vary from the perfect geometric form
implied by dimensions. This includes straightness, flatness,
circularity and cylindricity.
Tolerance of location – Tolerances that specify how far
features are permitted to vary from the perfect geometric form
implied by dimensions. This includes position, concentricity
and symmetry.
Tolerance of orientation – Tolerances that specify how far
features are permitted to vary from the perfect geometric form
implied by dimensions. This includes angularity, perpendicu-
larity and parallelism.
Tolerance of profile – Tolerances that specify how far features
are permitted to vary from the perfect geometric form implied
by dimensions. This includes profile of surface and profile of a
line.
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July 1999*
Tolerance of runout – Tolerances that specify how far
features are permitted to vary from the perfect geometric form
implied by dimensions. This includes circular runout and total
runout.
Tolerance, angularity – Angularity is the condition of a
surface, center plane or axis at a specified angle (other than
90°) from a datum plane or axis. An angularity tolerance
specifies either: 1) a tolerance zone defined by two parallel
planes at the specified basic angle from one or more datum
planes or a datum axis within which the center plane of the
feature must lie or; 2) a tolerance zone defined by two parallel
planes at the specified basic angle from one or more datum
planes or a datum axis within which the axis of the feature
must lie.
Tolerance, bilateral – A tolerance which permits variation in
both directions from the specified dimension.
Tolerance, circularity – A condition of a surface of revolution
where, 1) for a cylinder or cone, all points of the surface
intersected by any plane perpendicular to a common axis are
equidistant from that axis, 2) for a sphere, all points of the
surface intersected by any plane passing through a common
center are equidistant from that center.
Tolerance, concentricity – A condition where axes of two or
more surfaces of revolution are coincident.
Tolerance, cylindricity – A tolerance zone bounded by two
concentric cylinders within which all points on the surface
must lie. The tolerance is a composite control of form which
includes roundness, straightness, and taper of a cylindrical
form.
Tolerance, flatness – A tolerance zone defined by two parallel
planes within which all elements of the surface must lie.
Tolerance, geometric – The general term applied to the
general category of tolerances used to control form, profile,
orientation, location, and runout.
Tolerance, parallelism – A tolerance zone defined by two
planes or elements within which the surface or axis of the
considered feature must lie. It may also be a cylindrical
tolerance zone parallel to a datum axis within which the axis of
the considered feature must lie.
Tolerance, perpendicularity – There are several aspects to
definition of perpendicularity tolerances. They are: 1) a
tolerance zone defined by two parallel planes perpendicular to
a datum plane or axis within which the surface or median plane
of the considered feature must lie; 2) a tolerance zone defined
by two parallel planes perpendicular to a datum axis within
which the axis of the considered feature must lie; 3) a cylindri-
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GENIUM PUBLISHING
Update 61
cal tolerance zone perpendicular to a datum plane within which
the axis or the considered feature must lie; 4) a tolerance zone
defined by two parallel lines perpendicular to a datum plane or
axis within which an element of the surface must lie.
Tolerance, positional – A zone within which the center axis or
center plane of a feature of size is permitted to vary from true
position.
Tolerance, pre-established – Also known as default tolerance.
A group of tolerances such as ‘shop run’ tolerances which
apply to a generic line of parts, i.e., sheet metal parts, turned
parts, piping, or applicable processes.
Tolerance, profile – A uniform boundary along the profile
within which elements of a surface must lie.
Tolerance, runout – A tolerance used to control the functional
relationship of one or more features of a part to a datum axis.
The type of feature controlled by runout tolerances includes
those surfaces constructed both around and at right angles to a
datum axis.
Tolerance, straightness – A tolerance zone where points of
each individual element or an axis must fall in a straight line.
The tolerance is applied in a view where the elements appear as
straight lines.
Tolerance, symmetry – A condition where the center plane of
the actual mating envelope of one or more features is congruent
with the axis or center plane of the datum feature.
Tolerance, unilateral – A tolerance in which variation is
permitted in one direction from the specified dimension.
Transition fit – A transition fit is one having limits of size so
prescribed that either a clearance or an interference may result
when mating parts are assembled.
True geometric counterpart – The theoretical perfect
boundary (virtual condition or actual mating envelope) or best-
fit (tangent) plane of a feature.
True position – Term no longer used. See Tolerance, posi-
tional.