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Unit 7 Straightness Of Features Of Size

GENERAL In applying a geometrical tolerance to a feature of size, it is, often desirable to control the feature as a whole, rather than merely its surface elements. Such control may be intended to control the centerline or median plane, in which case it applies regardless of feature size (RFS). Alternatively it may be intended to control the bounding surfaces of the feature, in which case the tolerance is modified on an MMC basis. Straightness tolerances using both of these methods are described in this unit.

FIG 7-1 STRAIGHTNESS OF CENTER LINE RFS - BASIS

STRAIGHTNESS REGARDLESS OF FEATURE SIZE It should be noted that measurement of the straightness of a centerline (i. e. straightness on a RFS basis), is somewhat complex. This is because it is not possible to actually find the centerline to determine its straightness; its position and form have to be deducted from surface measurements. For this reason, other forms of control should be given every consideration as alternatives, such as run out of circular parts, straightness of surface elements or straightness on an MMC basis.

FIG 7-2 STRAIGHTNESS OF CENTER PLANE RFS BASIS Application The same straightness symbol is used in the feature control symbol as for straightness of surface elements in Unit 5. However, when not modified by MMC, the feature control symbol may be directed either to the center line, or to extension lines from the diameter or thickness, as shown in Fig 7-1. Any of the variations shown in Fig 4-3 may be used when more convenient. Positioning the feature control symbol between the views should be avoided unless it is perfectly clear as to whether it refers to the lengthwise or widthwise straightness, see Fig. 7-2. A straightness tolerance, not modified by MMC may be applied to parts or features of any size or shape, providing they have a centerline or median plane, which is intended to be straight in the direction indicated. Examples are parts having a cross section, which is circular, conical, hexagonal, square or rectangular. Tolerances directed in this manner apply to straightness of the centerline or center plane between all opposing line elements of the surfaces in the longitudinal direction to which the control is directed. The width of the tolerance zone is in the direction of the arrowhead. If the cross section forms a regular polygon, such as hexagonal or square, the tolerance applies to the centerlines between each pair of sides, without it being necessary to so state on the drawing. If the cross section is circular the tolerance zone becomes circular and a diameter symbol then precedes the tolerance, as shown in Fig. 7-3. Interpretation A straightness tolerance applied to a center line means that all centerlines between opposing line elements of the surface shall lie completely within tolerance zones having a width equal to the specified tolerance.

FIG 7-3 DIAMETER SYMBOL ADDED WHEN TOLERANCE ZONE IS CIRCULAR OR CYLINDRICAL

FIG 7-4 TOLERANCE ZONES FOR CYLINDRICAL FEATURES

Theoretically there is an infinite number of line elements, either around the circumference or across each flat face, where measurement of the centerline can take place. For practical purposes a sufficient number of measurements are made to ensure that drawing requirements are met. At each measuring position the tolerance zone consists of the area between two parallel lines in a plane which includes the centerline, as shown in Fig. 7-4, 7-5 and 7-6. Therefore for conical or cylindrical features these tolerance zones combine to form one cylindrical zone.

FIG 7-5 TOLERANCE ZONES FOR HEXAGONAL FEATURE MEASURING PRINCIPLE In order to take an accurate measurement, the part to be measured is mounted using some suitable means of support, such as between centers or on vee blocks. Two indicators are mounted diametrically opposite one another, preferably on the same carriage and arranged to move parallel to the centerline being measured as shown in Fig. 7-7. Indicators are placed at zero at one end and differences in readings between the two indicators are noted as the carriage is moved toward the other end. Readings are plotted on a chart similar to that shown in Fig. 5-10 and straightness is evaluated.

FIG 7-6 TOLERANCE ZONES FOR SQUARE FATURE

FIG 7-7 MEASUREMENT OF STRAIGHTNESS OF CENTER LINE

This eliminates the effect of errors due to eccentricity and the like. This procedure is repeated at other positions across the surface of the part or around the circumference. CENTER LINES COMMON TO TWO OR MORE FEARUTES If a centerline is common to two or more diameters of other features, a straightness tolerance directed to the centerline applies to all features on the common centerline unless otherwise specified, as shown in Fig 7 8. If the tolerance is intended to apply to only one thickness or diameter on the common center line, a note may be added beneath the feature control symbol, as shown in Fig. 7-9 A. Alternatively the symbol may be directed to extension lines from the surfaces, as shown in Fig. 7-9 B.

FIG 7-8 STRAIGHTNESS OF MULTIDIAMETER PART

FIG 7-9 STRAIGHTNESS OF ONE FEATURE OF MULTI DIAMETER PART

CONTROL IN SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS As already stated, straightness of a center line or median plane applies only to center lines which run in the direction of the line or line elements to which the straightness tolerance is directed. The width or diameter of the tolerance zone lies in the direction in which the arrowhead points. Therefore, in the rectangular part in Fig. 7-10 the control applies only to longitudinal centerlines between corresponding line elements of the top and bottom surfaces. If the cross section is circular or is a regular polygon, with no means of determining a specific orientation for measuring purposes, the tolerance applies in all applicable directions, as already explained.

FIG 7-10 DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF STRAIGHTNESS

FIG 7-11 STRAIGHTNES IN ONE DIRECTION However, if there is a ready means of identifying the orientation, the tolerance applies only in the direction indicated as shown in Fig.7-11. If there may be some ambiguity a note should be added, such as THIS DIRECTION ONLY as shown in Fig. 7-12 A. If the part is circular and it is intended that the tolerance apply in all directions a diameter symbol should precede the tolerance value, as shown in Fig 7-12B. If a tolerance is shown in two directions it is measured these two directions and the tolerance zone is then a parallelepiped as shown in Fig. 7-13.

FIG 7-12 DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF STRAIGHTNESS

FIG 7-13 STRAIGHTNESS IN TWO DIRECTIONS STRAIGHTNESS MAXIMUM MATERIAL CONDITION Straightness on an MMC basis can be considered to be an intention of the dimensional tolerance. This is because it actually specifies a virtual size, equal to the maximum material limit of size plus or minus the specified geometrical tolerance.

FIG 7-14 STRAIGHTNESS ON MMC BASIS It is therefore quite permissible to specify a geometrical tolerance of zero MMC, which means that the virtual size limit coincides with the maximum material limit. Therefore, if a feature is everywhere at its maximum material limit of size, no errors of straightness are permitted. Straightness on an MMC basis can be applied to any part or feature having straight-line elements in a plane, which includes the diameter or thickness. This includes practically all of the parts already shown on an RFS basis. However it should not be used for features which do not have a uniform cross section, because this would make gauging difficult. While a straightness tolerance on an MMC basis permits the use of simple functional GO gages, it does not necessarily ensure the free assembly of mating parts, because of other possible errors, such as roundness or flatness. Therefore consideration should be given to the following alternative controls. Cylindrical features: Cylindricity MMC (see unit 26) Features with flat faces: Flatness MMC (see unit 8) APPLICATION To signify that the maximum material principle applies to a straightness tolerance the symbol (M) is placed immediately after the tolerance value in the feature control symbol. As there must always be a feature size dimension associated with such a tolerance it is useful and convenient to establish this relationship by directing the feature control symbol in line with the dimension, or associating it with the dimension by a common leader, as shown in Fig. 7-14.

FIG 7-15 STRAIGHTNESS ON MMC BASIC

Interpretation A straightness tolerance modified by (M) means that the feature should lie within a tolerance zone consisting of the line between two parallel lines, in the same plane as the longitudinal section of the feature being evaluated. For example features these zone lines are separated by the special straightness tolerance, plus the maximum material size of feature, as shown in Fig. 7-15. MEASURING PRINCIPLE In geometrical tolerancing on an MMC basis permits the use of functional GO gages. When the tolerance is zero MMC then GO gages also checks the maximum material size. For straightness a suitable gage consists of two straight and parallel gauging elements between which the part must pass. These gauging elements must be at least as along as the length of the feature being gauged, and the gage must be maintained normal to the surface being evaluated. An example is shown in Fig. 7-16.

FIG 7-16 GAGING OF HEXAGONAL PART For cylindrical parts the gage can be a simpler snap gage, within which the part must be capable of being revolved, as shown in Fig. 7-17.

FIG 7-17 GAGING OF CYLINDRICAL PART STRAIGHTNESS WITH A MAXIMUM VALUE If it is desired to ensure that the straightness error does not become too great when the part approaches the least material size limit a maximum value may be added, as shown in Fig. 7-18. This means that in addition to the use of a functional GO gage, the straightness error of the surface must also be evaluated by other means to ensure that it does not exceed the maximum value.

FIG 7-18 STRAIGHTNESS MMC WITH A MAXIMUM VALUE STRAIGHTNESS OF INTERNAL FEATURES.: While straightness can be specified for internal features just as readily as for external features, it is very seldom used for round holes. This is because such features are more readily controlled by other geometrical tolerances, such as cylindricity, perpendicularity, or position, all of which control straightness. However straightness is very useful control for some internal features, such as grooves and slots. Fig. 7-19 shows an example.

For such features the width of the tolerance zone is the maximum material size of the feature, minus the specified straightness tolerance.

FIG 7-19 STRAIGHTNESS OF INTERNAL FEATURE ON MMC BASIS

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