Datum's

Datum's are theoretically perfect points, lines and

planes. These points, lines and planes exist within a
structure
of
three
mutually
perpendicular
intersecting planes called a datum reference frame.

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Immobilization of part Datum features of a part

are oriented and immobilized in selected order of
preference
relative
to
three
mutually
perpendicular intersecting planes of datum
reference frame. To properly position the part on
the datum reference frame, the datum's must be
specified in the order of preference.
Primary datum, contacts the datum reference
with minimum of 3 points of contact not in
the straight line.
Secondary datum, feature contacts the datum
reference frame with minimum of 2 points of
contact
Tertiary datum, contacts the datum reference
frame with minimum of 1 point of contact

Datum feature selection Datum features are

selected to meet design requirements:
They should be:
Functional surfaces
Mating surfaces
Readily accessible
Repeatable
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Datum feature identification

Datum feature symbols are used to identify physical
features of a part. Datum feature symbols shall not
be applied to center lines, center planes or axes.
Datum's may be designated with any letter of
alphabet except I, O or Q.

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Multiple datum features

When more than one feature is used to establish a
single datum reference letters are separated by a
dash and specified in one compartment of feature
control frame.

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