Geometric

Geometric Dimensioning
Dimensioning
and
and Tolerancing
Tolerancing (GD&T)
(GD&T)

MANAGEMENT

DESIGN
VENDORS

SALES PRICING

TOOLING

PURCHASING PLANNING
CUSTOMERS

PRODUCTION

SERVICE ROUTING

INSPECTION

ASSEMBLY

PART PRODUCTION COMMUNICATION MODEL

 Three
Three Categories
Categories of
of
Dimensioning
Dimensioning

Dimensioning can be divided into

three categories:
general dimensioning,
geometric dimensioning, and
surface texture.

The following provides

information necessary to begin to
understand geometric
dimensioning and tolerancing
(GD&T)
Limit
Limit Tolerancing
Tolerancing Applied
Applied
To
ToAnAn Angle
Angle Block
Block
 Geometric
Geometric Tolerancing
Tolerancing
Applied
Applied To
ToAn
An Angle
Angle Block
Block
 Geometric
Geometric
Dimensioning
Dimensioning &&
Tolerancing
Tolerancing (GD&T)
(GD&T)

GD&T is a means of
dimensioning & tolerancing
a drawing which considers
the function of the part and
how this part functions
with related parts.
This allows a drawing to
contain a more defined
feature more accurately,
without increasing tolerances.
 GD&T
GD&T contd
contd

GD&T has increased in practice in

last 15 years because of ISO
9000.
ISO 9000 requires not only that something
be required, but how it is to be controlled.
For example, how round does a round
feature have to be?
GD&T is a system that uses
standard symbols to indicate
tolerances that are based on the
features geometry.
Sometimes called feature based
dimensioning & tolerancing or true
position dimensioning & tolerancing
GD&T practices are specified in
ANSI Y14.5M-1994.
 For
For Example
Example
Given Table Height
Assume all 4 legs will be
cut to length at the same
time.
However, all surfaces have a degree of
waviness, or smoothness. For
example, the surface of a 2 x 4 is much
wavier (rough) than the surface of a
piece of glass.
As the table height is dimensioned, the
following table would pass inspection.

or

If top must be flatter, you could tighten

the tolerance to 1/32.
However, now the height is restricted to
26.97 to 27.03 meaning good tables would
be rejected.
 Example
Example contd.
contd.

You can have both, by using

GD&T.
The table height may any height
between 26 and 28 inches.
The table top must be flat within
1/16. (1/32)

.06
.06
.06

28
27
26
 WHY
WHY IS
IS GD&T
GD&T IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
Saves money
For example, if large number
of parts are being made
GD&T can reduce or eliminate
inspection of some features.
Provides bonus tolerance
Ensures design, dimension, and
tolerance requirements as they
relate to the actual function
Ensures interchangeability of
mating parts at the assembly
Provides uniformity
It is a universal understanding of
the symbols instead of words
 WHEN
WHEN TO
TO USE
USE GD&T
GD&T

When part features are critical to

a function or interchangeability
When functional gaging is
desirable
When datum references are
desirable to ensure consistency
between design
When standard interpretation or
tolerance is not already implied
When it allows a better choice of
machining processes to be made
for production of a part
 TERMINOLOGY
TERMINOLOGY REVIEW
REVIEW
Maximum Material Condition
(MMC): The condition where a size
feature contains the maximum amount
of material within the stated limits of
size. I.e., largest shaft and smallest
hole.
Least Material Condition (LMC): The
condition where a size feature
contains the least amount of material
within the stated limits of size. I.e.,
smallest shaft and largest hole.
Tolerance: Difference between MMC
and LMC limits of a single dimension.
Allowance: Difference between the
MMC of two mating parts. (Minimum
clearance and maximum interference)
Basic Dimension: Nominal
dimension from which tolerances are
derived.
 LIMITS
LIMITS OF
OF SIZE
SIZE

SIZE DIMENSION

WHAT DOES
THIS MEAN?

2.007
2.003
 LIMITS
LIMITS OF
OF SIZE
SIZE
A variation in form is allowed
between the least material
condition (LMC) and the
maximum material condition
(MMC).
SIZE DIMENSION
ENVELOPE PRINCIPLE

MMC
(2.007)

LMC
(2.003)

ENVELOPE OF SIZE
Envelop Principle defines the
size and form relationships
between mating parts.
 LIMITS
LIMITS OF
OF SIZE
SIZE

ENVELOPE PRINCIPLE

LMC
CLEARANCE

MMC
ALLOWANCE
 LIMITS
LIMITS OF
OF SIZE
SIZE
The actual size of the feature at
any cross section must be
within the size boundary.

MMC
LMC
 LIMITS
LIMITS OF
OF SIZE
SIZE

No portion of the feature may

be outside a perfect form
barrier at maximum material
condition (MMC).
 Other
Other Factors
Factors
I.e.,
I.e., Parallel
Parallel Line
Line Tolerance
Tolerance Zones
Zones
GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONING TOLERANCE ZONES

PARALLEL LINES PARALLEL LINES PARALLEL LINES

PARALLEL PLANES PARALLEL PLANES PARALLEL PLANES

PARALLEL PLANES PARALLEL PLANES CYLINDER ZONE

 GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC CONTROLS
14 characteristics that may be controlled

TYPE OF TYPE OF
CHARACTERISTIC SYMBOL
FEATURE TOLERANCE

FLATNESS
INDIVIDUAL STRAIGHTNESS
(No Datum FORM
Reference) CIRCULARITY

CYLINDRICITY

INDIVIDUAL LINE PROFILE

or RELATED PROFILE
FEATURES SURFACE PROFILE

PERPENDICULARITY

ORIENTATION ANGULARITY

PARALLELISM
RELATED
FEATURES CIRCULAR RUNOUT
(Datum RUNOUT
Reference TOTAL RUNOUT
Required)
CONCENTRICITY

LOCATION POSITION

SYMMETRY
Characteristics
Characteristics && Symbols
Symbols
contd.
contd.

Maximum Material Condition MMC

Regardless of Feature Size RFS
Least Material Condition LMC
Projected Tolerance Zone
Diametrical (Cylindrical) Tolerance
Zone or Feature
Basic, or Exact, Dimension
Datum Feature Symbol

Feature Control Frame

 Feature
FEATUREControl
Feature Control Frame
Frame
CONTROL FRAME

GEOMETRIC SYMBOL
TOLERANCE INFORMATION
DATUM REFERENCES
COMPARTMENT VARIABLES

THE

RELATIVE TO
OF THE FEATURE
MUST BE WITHIN
CONNECTING WORDS
 Feature
Feature Control
Control Frame
Frame
Uses feature control frames to
indicate tolerance

Reads as: The position of the

feature must be within a .003
diametrical tolerance zone at
maximum material condition
relative to datums A, B, and C.
 Feature
Feature Control
Control
Frame
Frame
Uses feature control frames to indicate
tolerance

Reads as: The position of the feature

must be within a .003 diametrical
tolerance zone at maximum material
condition relative to datums A at
maximum material condition and B.
Reading
Reading Feature
Feature Control
Control Frames
Frames
The of the feature must be within a tolerance
zone.

The of the feature must be within a

tolerance zone at relative
to Datum .

The of the feature must be within a

tolerance zone relative to Datum .

The of the feature must be within a

zone at
relative to Datum .

The of the feature must be within a

tolerance zone relative to datums .
 Placement
Placement ofof Feature
Feature
Control
Control Frames
Frames
May be attached to a side, end
or corner of the symbol box to
an extension line.

Applied to surface.

Applied to axis
 Placement
Placement of
of Feature
Feature
Control
Control Frames
Frames Contd.
Contd.

May be below or closely

adjacent to the dimension or
note pertaining to that feature.

.500.005
 Basic
Basic Dimension
Dimension
A theoretically exact size, profile,
orientation, or location of a feature or
datum target, therefore, a basic
dimension is untoleranced.
Most often used with position,
angularity, and profile)
Basic dimensions have a rectangle
surrounding it.

1.000
Basic
Basic Dimension
Dimension
contd.
contd.
 Form
Form Features
Features
Individual Features
No Datum Reference

Flatness Straightness

Circularity Cylindricity
 Form
Form Features
FeaturesExamples
Examples
Flatness as stated on
drawing: The flatness of the
feature must be within .06
tolerance zone.

Straightness applied to a flat surface: The

straightness of the feature must be within .003
tolerance zone.
.003

0.500 .005

.003
0.500 .005
 Form
Form Features
FeaturesExamples
Examples
Straightness applied to the surface of a
diameter: The straightness of the feature must
be within .003 tolerance zone.

.003

0.500
0.505

Straightness of an Axis at MMC: The derived

median line straightness of the feature must be
within a diametric zone of .030 at MMC.

0.500
0.505 .030 M

1.010
0.990
 Dial
Dial Indicator
Indicator
DIAL INDICATOR

BEZEL
CASE

2 2
4 4

6 6

8 8
10 10
12

CLAMP

PROBE
Verification
Verification of
of Flatness
Flatness
 Activity
Activity 13
13

Work on worksheets GD&T 1,

GD&T 2 #1 only, and GD&T 3
(for GD&T 3 completely
dimension. grid.)
Features
Features that
that Require
Require
Datum
Datum Reference
Reference
Orientation
Perpendicularity
Angularity
Parallelism
Runout
Circular Runout
Total Runout
Location
Position
Concentricity
Symmetry
 Datum
Datum
Datums are features (points, axis, and
planes) on the object that are used as
reference surfaces from which other
measurements are made. Used in
designing, tooling, manufacturing,
inspecting, and assembling
components and sub-assemblies.
As you know, not every GD&T feature
requires a datum, i.e., Flat

1.000
 Datums
Datums contd.
contd.

Features are identified with

respect to a datum.
Always start with the letter A
Do not use letters I, O, or Q
May use double letters AA,
BB, etc.
This information is located in
the feature control frame.

Datums on a drawing of a
part are represented using
the symbol shown below.
Datum
Datum Reference
Reference Symbols
Symbols
The datum feature symbol
identifies a surface or feature
of size as a datum.

A A
A

ANSI ASME ISO

1982 1994
Placement
Placement of
of Datums
Datums
Datums are generally placed on a feature, a
centerline, or a plane depending on how
dimensions need to be referenced.
A OR A

ANSI 1982
ASME 1994

Line up with arrow only when

the feature is a feature of
size and is being defined as
the datum
Placement
Placement of
of Datums
Datums
Feature sizes, such as holes
A .500.005

Sometimes a feature has a

GD&T and is also a datum
A

.500.005

.500.005
TWELVE
TWELVE DEGREES
DEGREES OF
OF FREEDOM
FREEDOM

UP

LEFT BACK

6 LINEAR AND
6 ROTATIONAL
DEGREES OF
FREEDOM

FRONT RIGHT

DOWN
UNRESTRICTED FREE
MOVEMENT IN SPACE
 Example
Example Datums
Datums
Datums must be
perpendicular to each other
Primary

Secondary

Tertiary Datum
 Primary
Primary Datum
Datum
A primary datum is selected
to provide functional
relationships, accessibility,
and repeatability.
Functional Relationships
A standardization of size is desired in
the manufacturing of a part.
Consideration of how parts are
orientated to each other is very
important.
For example, legos are made in a
standard size in order to lock into
place. A primary datum is chosen
to reference the location of the
mating features.
Accessibility
Does anything, such as, shafts, get in
the way?
 Primary
Primary Datum
Datum contd.
contd.

Repeatability
For example, castings, sheet
metal, etc.
The primary datum chosen must
insure precise measurements.
The surface established must
produce consistent
Measurements when producing
many identical parts to meet
requirements specified.
 Primary
Primary Datum
Datum
Restricts 6 degrees of freedom

FIRST DATUM ESTABLISHED

BY THREE POINTS (MIN)
CONTACT WITH SIMULATED
DATUM A
 Secondary
Secondary &&
Tertiary
Tertiary Datums
Datums
All dimension may not be capable to
reference from the primary datum to
ensure functional relationships,
accessibility, and repeatability.
Secondary Datum
Secondary datums are produced
perpendicular to the primary datum so
measurements can be referenced from
them.
Tertiary Datum
This datum is always perpendicular to
both the primary and secondary datums
ensuring a fixed position from three
related parts.
 Secondary
Secondary Datum
Datum
Restricts 10 degrees of freedom.
SECOND DATUM
PLANE ESTABLISHED BY
TWO POINTS (MIN) CONTACT
WITH SIMULATED DATUM B
 Tertiary
Tertiary Datum
Datum
Restricts 12 degrees of freedom.
THIRD DATUM
PLANE ESTABLISHED
BY ONE POINT (MIN)
90 CONTACT WITH
SIMULATED DATUM C

MEASURING DIRECTIONS FOR

RELATED DIMENSIONS
Coordinate
Coordinate Measuring
Measuring
Machine
Machine
COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE
BRIDGE DESIGN

PROBE

GRANITE
Z SURFACE
PLATE

DATUM
REFERENCE
FRAME
Size
Size Datum
Datum
(CIRCULAR)
(CIRCULAR)

THIS ON
THE DRAWING

MEANS THIS

SIMULATED DATUM-
SMALLEST
PART CIRCUMSCRIBED
CYLINDER
DATUM AXIS
Size
Size Datum
Datum
(CIRCULAR)
(CIRCULAR)

THIS ON
THE DRAWING

MEANS THIS

SIMULATED DATUM-
LARGEST
PART INSCRIBED
DATUM AXIS A CYLINDER
 Orientation
Orientation Tolerances
Tolerances
Perpendicularity

Angularity

Parallelism
Controls the orientation of
individual features
Datums are required
Shape of tolerance zone: 2
parallel lines, 2 parallel planes, and
cylindrical
 PERPENDICULARITY:
PERPENDICULARITY:
is the condition of a surface, center plane, or
axis at a right angle (90) to a datum plane or
axis.
Ex:
The perpendicularity of
this surface must be
within a .005 tolerance
zone relative to datum A.

The tolerance zone is the

space between the 2
parallel lines. They are
perpendicular to the
datum plane and spaced .
005 apart.
 Practice
Practice Problem
Problem
Plane 1 must be
perpendicular within .005
tolerance zone to plane 2.

BOTTOM SURFACE
 Practice
Practice Problem
Problem
Plane 1 must be
perpendicular within .005
tolerance zone to plane 2

BOTTOM PLANE
 Practice
Practice Problem
Problem

2.00.01

.02 Tolerance

Without GD & T this

would be acceptable

2.00.01
.005 Tolerance
Zone

.02 Tolerance

With GD & T the overall height may end

anywhere between the two blue planes. But the
bottom plane is restricted to the red tolerance
zone.
 PERPENDICULARITY
PERPENDICULARITY Contd.
Contd.

Location of hole (axis)

This means the hole

(axis) must be
perpendicular within a
diametrical tolerance
zone of .010 relative to
datum A
 ANGULARITY:
ANGULARITY:
is the condition of a surface, axis, or
median plane which is at a specific
angle (other than 90) from a datum
plane or axis.
The surface is at a
45 angle with a .
005 tolerance zone
relative to datum A.

Can be applied to an axis at MMC.

Typically must have a basic dimension.
 PARALLELISM:
PARALLELISM:
The condition of a surface or center plane
equidistant at all points from a datum plane, or
an axis.
The distance between the parallel lines, or
surfaces, is specified by the geometric
tolerance.

0.01
 Activity
Activity 13
13 Contd.
Contd.

Complete worksheets GD&T-

2, GD&T-4, and GD&T-5
Completely dimension.
grid
 Material
Material Conditions
Conditions
Maximum Material Condition
(MMC)
Least Material Condition
(LMC)
Regardless of Feature
Size(RFS)
Maximum
Maximum Material
Material Condition
Condition
MMC
This is when part will weigh the
most.
MMC for a shaft is the largest
allowable size.
MMC of 0.240.005?
MMC for a hole is the smallest
allowable size.
MMC of 0.250.005?
Permits greater possible tolerance
as the part feature sizes vary from
their calculated MMC
Ensures interchangeability
Used
With interrelated features with
respect to location
Size, such as, hole, slot, pin, etc.
 Least
Least Material
Material Condition
Condition
LMC
This is when part will weigh
the least.
LMC for a shaft is the smallest
allowable size.
LMC of 0.240.005?
LMC for a hole is the largest
allowable size.
LMC of 0.250.005?
 Regardless
Regardless of
of Feature
Feature Size
Size
RFS
Requires that the condition of
the material NOT be
considered.
This is used when the size
feature does not affect the
specified tolerance.
Valid only when applied to
features of size, such as
holes, slots, pins, etc., with
an axis or center plane.
Location
Location Tolerances
Tolerances

Position

Concentricity

Symmetry
 Position
Position Tolerance
Tolerance
A position tolerance is the total
permissible variation in the location of
a feature about its exact true position.
For cylindrical features, the position
tolerance zone is typically a cylinder
within which the axis of the feature
must lie.
For other features, the center plane of
the feature must fit in the space
between two parallel planes.
The exact position of the feature is
located with basic dimensions.
The position tolerance is typically
associated with the size tolerance of
the feature.
Datums are required.
Coordinate
Coordinate System
System Position
Position
Consider the following hole dimensioned with
coordinate dimensions:

The tolerance zone for the location of the hole

is as follows:

2.000
.750

Several Problems:
Two points, equidistant from true position may not
be accepted.
Total tolerance diagonally is .014, which may be
more than was intended.
Coordinate
Coordinate System
System Position
Position
Consider the following hole dimensioned with
coordinate dimensions:

The tolerance zone for the location (axis) of the

hole is as follows:

Center can be
anywhere along
the diagonal
line.

2.000
.750

Several Problems:
Two points, equidistant from true position may not
be accepted.
Total tolerance diagonally is .014, which may be
more than was intended. (1.4 Xs >, 1.4*.010=.014)
 Position
Position Tolerancing
Tolerancing
Consider the same hole, but add
GD&T:

Now, overall tolerance zone is:

MMC =
.500 - .003 = .497

The actual center of the hole (axis) must lie in

the round tolerance zone. The same tolerance
is applied, regardless of the direction.
 Bonus
Bonus Tolerance
Tolerance
Here is the beauty of the system! The
specified tolerance was:

This means that the

tolerance is .010 if the
hole size is the MMC size,
or .497. If the hole is
bigger, we get a bonus
tolerance equal to the
difference between the
MMC size and the actual
size.
Bonus
Bonus Tolerance
Tolerance Example
Example
This means that
the tolerance is .
010 if the hole
size is the MMC
size, or .497. If the
.503
hole is bigger, we
get a bonus
tolerance equal to
the difference
between the MMC
size and the
actual size.

Actual Hole Size Bonus Tol. of Tol. Zone

.497 (MMC) 0 .010

.499 (.499 - .497 = .002) .002 (.010 + .002 = .012) .012

.500 (.500 - .497 = .003) .003 (.010 + .003 = .013) .013

.502 .005 .015

.503 (LMC) .006 .016

.504 ? ?

This system makes sense the larger the

hole is, the more it can deviate from true
position and still fit in the mating condition!
 .497 = BONUS 0
Hole
TOL ZONE .010

Shaft

.499 - .497 = BONUS .002

BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .012
 .501 - .497 = BONUS .004
BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .014

.503 - .497 = BONUS .006

BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .016
 What if the tolerance had been specified as:

Since there is NO material modifier, the

tolerance is RFS, which stands for regardless
of feature size. This means that the position
tolerance is .010 at all times. There is no
bonus tolerance associated with this
specification.

VIRTUAL CONDITION: The worst case

boundary generated by the collective effects of
a size features specified MMC or LMC
material condition and the specified geometric
tolerance.

GT = GEOMETRIC
TOLERANCE
 PERPENDICULARITY
PERPENDICULARITY Contd.
Contd.

Means the hole (AXIS) must

be perpendicular within a
diametrical tolerance zone of .
010 at MMC relative to datum
A.

Actual Hole Bonus Tol. of Tol.

Size Zone
1.997
(MMC)
1.998
1.999
2.000

Vc = 2.001
2.002
2.003
 Activity
Activity 13
13 Contd.
Contd.

Worksheet GD&T 6