TEST YOUR GD&T KNOWLEDGE

From basic concepts to complex interpretations, test your GD&T knowledge by seeing how many of
these questions you answer correctly. Scroll down for the answers...

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) Questions

Question 1: GD&T axis straightness along with an

orientation or position tolerance
When using GD&T axis straightness along with an orientation or position tolerance, can the
specified straightness tolerance value be greater then the specified orientation or position
tolerance values? If not, then why not?

Question 2: GD&T basic dimensions without feature

control frames
Is it proper to specify (show) a basic dimension on a drawing without a corresponding tolerance in a
feature control frame? If so, in what situations would it proper?

Answers to GD&T Questions

Answer 1
When using GD&T axis straightness along with an orientation or position tolerance, can the
specified straightness tolerance value be greater then the specified orientation or position
tolerance values? If not, then why not?

The correct answer to the question isNo! When used alone with a size dimension, axis
straightness does allow the feature to go outside the MMC boundary envelope. However, according
to the Y14.5M standard, Where the straightness tolerance is used in conjunction with an
orientation or position tolerance, the specified straightness tolerance value shall not be greater
that the specified orientation or position tolerance values. (Para. 6.4.1.1.2, pg 158). This makes
sense; there is no way an axis may fit within an orientation or position cylindrical tolerance zone if
the axis is bent more than the allowed orientation or position tolerance value. Congratulations if
you answered the Test Your GD&T Knowledge question correctly!

Answer 2
Is it proper to specify (show) a basic dimension on a drawing without a corresponding tolerance in
a feature control frame? If so, in what situations would it proper?
The correct answer to the question isYes! There are two situations where a basic dimension can
be specified without a corresponding feature control frame. A basic angle may be specified on an
angled surface as shown in Figure 4, where a size dimension controls the size of the tolerance
zone. (See ASME Y14.5M-1994, 2.12). Basic dimensions may also be used when specifying the
location of datum targets as shown in Figure 5. The tolerance for the location of the datum targets
is determined by Gagemakers Tolerance or Toolmakers Tolerance (established tooling
tolerances).

(See

ASME

Y14.5M-1994,

4.6.2).