ME 546

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

ASME Y14.5M-1994 Standard

History of Geometric Dimensioning and
Tolerancing

• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

symbols have been in use since at least the turn
of the century. GDT was especially important
during the Second World War in relation to
extremely high volume production of Liberty
Ships, aircraft, and ground vehicles. The
automotive industry, with its high volumes, has
also benefited from GDT. The American National
Standards Institute publication in 1982 of ANSI
Y14.5M-1982 was a turning point in the rigorous,
unambiguous standardization of the
methodology.
 Geometric Dimensioning and
Tolerancing: Why ?

• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

(GDT) is a method for precisely defining
the geometry of mechanical parts.

• It conveys the product function and design

relationship.

• Variability—Mass Production.
Dimensioning

• All dimensions either locate or indicate a

size of a feature
• Basic dimension: a theoretical dimension
• Limits of Size: acceptable amount of variation
allowed on a dimension
.499
– Limit Dimensions = .495

+.003
– (+/-) Tolerances = .455 -.002
 Tolerance Accumulation

Emphasis is on proper Dimensioning.

Chain Dimensioning: point-to-point dimensioning-all

feature are dimensioned from one another. This
dimension type has the greatest tolerance
accumulation effect.

Base Line: all the dimensions extend from a baseline.

This dimension schema lowers tolerance accumulation
seen by chain dimensioning.

Direct: the utilization of both direct and baseline

Dimensioning is captured here.
 GTOL Symbology

• The 5 types are:

– Form
– Orientation
– Profile
– Runout
– Location
• Other symbols:
– Dimensional values that
require classification via
symbols
– Example: DIA. Symbol
Modifying Symbols

• Symbols to remember:
– MMC
– LMC
– RFS

• Used often in Industry

– MMC
Feature Control Frame
All Geometric Tolerances are specified in a FCF.

Tertiary Datum
Datum Material Condition Modifier
Secondary Datum
Primary Datum

.011 M A BM C
Material Condition Modifier
Tolerance Zone Size

Tolerance Zone Shape

Position Tolerance Zone Symbol

 Datum
• What is a datum?

• A datum is the origin from which the

location or geometric shape of features of
a part are established.
• It is a theoretically perfect point, line or
plane.
• Tolerance specifications will reference
these datum's.
 Datum Reference Frame
• Positioning the part with relation to three
mutually perpendicular planes: the datum
reference frame.
• This reference frame exist in theory only
• In some cases a single datum may be
sufficient
Datum Reference Frame
Datum Simulation

Theoretical

Datum simulation is required since

fabrication and inspection operations
must be made in relationship to the
specified datum
 Features of Size
• Features of size are often classified as
datum features.
• Examples are: holes, slots, tabs and
shafts
• Placement of a datum feature symbol with
a size dimension indicates that the feature
of size is a datum feature
External Feature (Datum Call-Out)
Internal Feature (Datum Call-Out)
 Material Condition Modifiers
• Material condition modifiers influence tolerance
zone sizes
• Regardless of Feature Size (RFS)
– The specified tolerance value is to remain constant
regardless of the size of the toleranced part.

– The tolerance zone does not change

– RFS is typically used for applications where holes

have zero clearance or press fits.
 Maximum Material Condition
(MMC)
• Definition: MMC is the condition in which a feature of
size contains the maximum amount of material within the
stated terms of the size.
– For external features we add the tolerance
– For internal feature we subtract the tolerance
• MMC is used for clearance hole applications.

– For example: As my hole size increases my positional

tolerance increases.

– Bonus Tolerance
Least Material Condition (LMC)
– Definition: LMC is the condition in which a
feature of size contains the least amount of
material within the stated terms of the size.

– For external features we subtract the tolerance

– For internal feature we add the tolerance
Bonus Tolerance
• When departing from the specified
material condition modifier, the positional
tolerance zone size will increase.
Hole Size Bonus Tol. Position Tol.
.514 (MMC) .006 .020
.515 .005 .019
.516 .004 .018
.517 .003 .017
.518 .002 .016
.519 .001 .015
.520 (LMC) .000 .014
Positional Tolerance at LMC
LMC Applied to Boss and Hole
Axes Relation to Tolerance Zone
 Virtual Condition
• The position resulting from the collective
effects of size and geometric tolerancing
applied to the feature.

• Virtual condition for external feature: Tab

– MMC + geometric tolerance.
• Virtual Condition for Internal feature: Hole
– MMC – geometric tolerance.
 Virtual Condition cont’d
• A virtual condition can be thought of as the
required size for a mating part, assuming
he mating part is perfect.
• For a pin with perpendicularity assigned:
VC is the size of a perfect hole that fits
over the pin when the pin is at MMC and is
in the worst permitted orientation.
 Virtual Condition Example
• If a hole is at .510 dia. (+/- .005) with a tol.
zone dia. of .002 and a pin is at .498 dia.
(+.003/-.006) with a tol zone of .003, will
the pin fit into the hole under virtual
conditions?

Answer_______.
 Answer!!!
• NO!

• Pin: .498 + .003 + .003 = .504 Dia.

• Hole: .510 - .005 - .002 = .503 Dia.

Interference fit by .001

 Confused?
• Any Questions?

• There will be a Quiz.

• Date: TBD