Assembly Fits

Nathan W. Hartman, Ed.D. Department of Computer Graphics Technology Purdue University

Some material provided by Dr. Theodore Branoff, NC State University

Tolerance Dimensioning
Why do we need tolerance dimensioning?
Interchangeable parts manufacturing Parts are manufactured at widely separate localities Effective size control Modern industry relies on it for subcontracting and replacement parts

Accuracy is Expensive

RecallSome Fundamental Rules

Dimensions shall be toleranced Dimensions shall be complete with no more dimensions than necessary Drawings shall define functional requirements without specifying manufacturing methods. Decimal dimensions shall be used.

Per ASME Y14.5M-1994

Specification of Tolerances

Limit Dimension

Bilateral-Equal

Unilateral

Bilateral-Unequal

Tolerance
Tolerance is the total amount a specific dimension is permitted to vary (difference between the maximum and minimum limits). The dimension below has a tolerance of .0003.

Maximum Material Condition

When specifying tolerance dimensions, the maximum material condition (MMC) means the product or part contains the maximum amount of material specified by the tolerance. The heaviest part.

Allowance
Allowance is the minimum clearance or maximum interference intended between the maximum material condition (MMC) of mating parts. The allowance for the system below is: 25.000 24.890 = 0.110

More Terminology
Nominal Size - General identification in fractions (ex. 1-1/2 for 1.500). Basic Size - General identification in decimal (ex. 1.500). Actual Size - Measured size. Limits - Maximum and minimum sizes indicated by the tolerance dimensions.

Clearance Fit
Space is always left between parts. What is the allowance in this case? 1.5000 1.4988 = .0012

Interference Fit
Always an interference of material. What is the allowance in this case? 1.5000 1.5013 = -.0013 or just .0013

Transition Fit
Fit might result in clearance or interference.

Line Fit
Clearance or surface contact may result at assembly.

Basic Hole System (Hole Basis)

The minimum size hole is taken as the basic size. Used when standard tools are used to produce holes (reamers & broaches).

Basic Shaft System (Shaft Basis)

The maximum shaft size is taken as the basic size. When several parts having different fits, but one nominal size are required on a single shaft.

Specifying a Fit - Inches

Class RC 1 Nominal Size Range Inches
Limits of Clear.

Standard Limits

Hole H5

Shaft g4

Over

To

0-0.12 0.12-0.24 0.24-0.40 0.40-0.71 0.71-1.19 1.19-1.97

0.1 0.45 0.15 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.25 0.75 0.3 0.95 0.4 1.1

+0.2 0 +0.2 0 +0.25 0 +0.3 0 +0.4 0 +0.4 0

0.1 0.25 0.15 0.3 0.2 0.35 0.25 0.45 0.3 0.55 0.4 0.7

Determine type of fit and find corresponding table Determine basic size Find size range on table Determine tolerances for Hole and Shaft Remember values are in thousandths of an inch.

Specifying a Fit - Inches

Class RC 1 Nominal Size Range Inches
Limits of Clear.

Standard Limits

Hole H5

Shaft g4

Over

To

0-0.12 0.12-0.24 0.24-0.40 0.40-0.71 0.71-1.19 1.19-1.97

0.1 0.45 0.15 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.25 0.75 0.3 0.95 0.4 1.1

+0.2 0 +0.2 0 +0.25 0 +0.3 0 +0.4 0 +0.4 0

0.1 0.25 0.15 0.3 0.2 0.35 0.25 0.45 0.3 0.55 0.4 0.7

RC1 - Close Sliding Fit Basic size of 1.500 Upper tolerance on hole is +0.4 which is really +0.0004 Lower tolerance on hole is -0. Upper tolerance on shaft is -0.0004 Lower tolerance on shaft is -0.0007

Specifying a Fit - Inches

Class RC 1 Nominal Size Range Inches
Limits of Clear.

Standard Limits

Hole H5

Shaft g4

Over

To

0-0.12 0.12-0.24 0.24-0.40 0.40-0.71 0.71-1.19 1.19-1.97

0.1 0.45 0.15 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.25 0.75 0.3 0.95 0.4 1.1

+0.2 0 +0.2 0 +0.25 0 +0.3 0 +0.4 0 +0.4 0

0.1 0.25 0.15 0.3 0.2 0.35 0.25 0.45 0.3 0.55 0.4 0.7

Specifying Fits - Metric

Loose Running Basic Size Hole H11 Shaft c11

Fit

1 Max Min

1.060 1.060

0.940 0.880

0.180 0.060

Determine type of fit and find corresponding table Determine basic size Find size range on table Determine tolerances for Hole and Shaft

20 Max Min

20.130 20.000

19.890 19.760

0.370 0.110

25 Max Min

25.130 25.000

24.890 24.760

0.370 0.110

Specifying Fits - Metric

Loose Running Basic Size

Loose Running Fit Basic size of 25

Fit

Hole H11

Shaft c11

1 Max Min

1.060 1.060

0.940 0.880

0.180 0.060

20 Max Min

20.130 20.000

19.890 19.760

0.370 0.110

25 Max Min

25.130 25.000

24.890 24.760

0.370 0.110

Functional Dimensioning
Functional features come into contact with other parts Dimension and tolerance these features first

Tolerance Stack-up
Tolerances taken in the same direction from one point are additive Tolerances from different directions to the same point become additive. Eventually when the stack-up exceeds feature tolerances, the parts do not fit together

Tolerance Stack-up

Tolerance Stack-up

Tolerance Stack-up

Design Tolerance Distribution

Design Tolerance Distribution
5% 10%

Manufacturing Tooling

15%

Inspection
70%

Wear Allowance

How is this related to PLM?

Understanding how parts fit together is critical for the creation of complete product models. The ASME Y14.41 standard is being used more frequently by industry. The development of the STEP standard increasingly supports product manufacturing information use of the 3D database throughout the enterprise. Industry is moving towards model-based definition of critical product characteristics, including dimensioning and geometric controls.

References
Bertoline, G.R. & Wiebe, E.N. (2007). Fundamentals of Graphic Communications (5e). McGraw-Hill: New York. Neumann, A. (1996). Geometric Tolerancing Fundamentals Workbook http://www.geotol.com/details.htm#gtfw ASME Y14.5 ASME Y14.41

Acknowledgments
The author wishes to acknowledge the support from the Society for Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation, SME-EF Grant #5004 for Curriculum Modules in Product Lifecycle Management.