Limit, Fits, Tolerance

INTRODUCTION
The components must be manufactured
to the specified size. However, it is
practically impossible to achieve this
exactness due to many reasons such as
human error, high cost and lack of
sophisticated measuring instruments.
Therefore, in practice the variation which
can be tolerated in the size of a
component is always given.

 This permitted variation in the size of

the
component
is
called
TOLERANCE.
Thus, the difference between the
upper and lower limit on a dimension
of a part is called the tolerance.

Tolerance varies according to the

degree of accuracy necessary for
that particular work

The purpose of this chapter is to study

the various aspect of limit and fits,
tolerances,
machining
symbol
with
special emphasis on its increasing utility
in the modern industry according to B.I.S.
(Bureau of Indian Standards)

Need of limit and fits

Mass production and specialization
Standardization
Interchangeability.

TOLERANCE
The amount of variation permitted in the
size of a part is called tolerance.
The difference between the upper and
lower limit on a dimension of a part is
called the tolerance.

UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL

TOLERANCES
Unilateral( one way)
Bilateral(two way)

Unilateral( one way)

A unilateral tolerance is one in which
the variation is permitted in one
direction i.e. either plus of minus
from
theisdesign
size.
Here,
50mm
the design
size
Upper limit = 50.000
Lower limit = 49.965
Tolerance = 50.00049.965
In this, the tolerance 0.053 is all one direction
= 0.053mm
towards smaller size.

 A bilateral tolerance is one in which

the variation is permitted in both
directions. plus and minus from the
design
size.
Here,
50mm
is the design
size
Upper limit = 50.050
Lower limit = 49.980
Tolerance = 50.05049.980
If the tolerance
0.070 specifies equal
= 0.070mm
variations in both directions ,then the bilateral
tolerance is written as

SIZE OF TOLERANCE
Actual size : The size of a part as
may be found by measurement is
called actual size.
Basic size: The basic size is the size
with reference to which the limit of
size is fixed (design size).
The basic size is same for both
members of a fit.

 Limit of size : the two extreme

permissible possible sizes between
which the actual size contained is
called limit of size.
Maximum limit of size: the greater of
the two limits of size is called
maximum limit of size.
Minimum limit of size: the smaller of
the two limits of size is called
minimum limit of size.

Deviation a basic size is fixed to the part

and each of the two limits is defied by its
deviation from the size. The magnitude and
sign of the deviation is obtained by subtracting
the basic size from the limit problem.

 Upper deviation the algebraic

difference between the maximum
limit of size and the corresponding
basic size is called upper deviation.

 lower deviation the algebraic

difference between the minimum limit
of size and the corresponding basic
size is called lower deviation.

 Zero line: in a graphical representation of

limits, a straight line to which the deviations
are referred is called zero line. The zero line is
the line of zero deviation and represents the
basic size.

Tolerance Zone. In a graphical representation

of tolerance, the zone bounded by the two limits
of size of the part is called the tolerance zone. It
is defined by its magnitude (i.e. tolerance) and
by its position in relation to the zero line.

ALLOWANCE
The difference
between the
dimension of two
mating parts is called
allowance.
The difference
between the smallest
Allowance=
smallest
hole-largest
hole and largest
shaft.
shaft
= 50.00 49.96
= 0.04

Fit.The relationship existing

between two parts, shaft and hole,
which are to be assembled, with
respect to the difference in their
sizes before assembly is called fit.

Types of fits
Depending upon the actual limits of
the hole or shaft, the fit may be
divided into three main classes as
follows :
1. Clearance fit
2. Interference fit
3. Transition fit

Clearance Fits
A clearance fit always has a gap
between the two mating parts.
In a clearance fit , there is always a
positive difference between the largest
possible shaft and the smallest possible
hole. In this the shaft is smaller than
hole.

Clearance Fits
Clearance Fits may be :
1. Slide fit
2. Easy slide fit
3. Running fit
4. Slab running fit.

Running fit
In a running fit, one part can be
assembled into the other so as to
rotate or slide freely.
Eg: shaft freely rotating in a bearing.

Push fit
In push fit, one part can be assemble
in to other with light hand pressure
and there being no sufficient
clearance to allow shaft to rotate.

Driving fit
In a driving fit, one part can be
assembled into other with a hand
hammer or by medium pressure.
Eg: pulley fitted on a shaft with a key.

Forced fit or shrink fit

In Forced fit or shrink fit, one
part(shaft) is assembled into
other(hole) either with great pressure
or the hole is expanded by heating,
so as to shrink on the shaft. It is
specially used when two parts are to
be fixed together
Eg: cart wheels, railway and tram car
wheels are fitted.

Interference fits
Interference fits always overlap and are
used mainly for press fits where the two
parts are pushed together, and require no
other fasteners.
In a interference fit there is always a
negative allowance between the largest
hole and the smallest shaft.
In this the shaft is larger than the hole.

Transitional Fits

This type of fit may result in

interference, or clearance
This type of fit can be used for items
such as forced fit, push fit.

For any basic size there are 25 different holes. These are
obtained by providing a series of holes which are progressively
oversize and a series of holes which are progressively
undersize. The difference from basic size of the various holes
given by the fundamental deviation, and it is these differences
in size which give the fit required. The 25 holes are disgnated
by the capital letters : A B, C, D, E, F, G, H, JS, J, K, M, N, P, R, S,
T, U, V, X, Y, Z, ZA, ZB, ZC.
Each of the 25 holes has a choice of 18 tolerances which are
designated : IT 01, IT 0, IT 1, IT 2 up to and including IT 16. The
tolerance grade decides the accuracy of manufacture. The seven
finest grades (IT 01 to IT 05) cover sizes up to 500 mm and the
eleven coarsest grades up to 3150 mm. The tolerance in each
grade depends on the size of shaft/hole.
Similarly for shafts, for any given size there are 25 different
shafts designated by small letters from a to zc. Also each shaft
has 18 grades of tolerance grades which are designated as for
the holes.