GD&T Basics: Current & Future States

More Education Is Needed

In today’s world, effective communications and consistent measurements across all engineering disciplines
and processes are essential to the design and manufacture of the highest quality products. Geometric
Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is key to achieving these goals.

GD&T Defined
GD&T is a standard language used to communicate the allowable geometric variation on parts. The
language includes symbols that are used on mechanical engineering drawings to quickly and accurately
define design, manufacturing and inspection requirements for various features on components and
assemblies.

The GD&T symbols for each dimension on a part represent their relationship to a “datum,” the feature on
that part that is used as a reference point for tolerance calculations and dimensional measurements. The
datum on each part is considered “zero” and calculations are built from that point to all other dimensions in
order to ensure the
consistency of the part. A
datum system, often referred
to as a “zero reference”
system, makes it clear to
design, manufacturing and
quality engineers where they
need to begin measuring or
manufacturing from.
Additionally, the use of
datums dramatically simplifies
the design and specification
processes.

There are two standard GD&T

languages: ASME Y14.5-
2009 within the United States,
and ISO 1101-2004 outside
the United States.

Advantages of GD&T
The key benefits of using GD&T include:
 Clarity and consistency in the design process
GD&T provides a clear and concise method for defining a reference coordinate system on a
component or assembly that can be used throughout manufacturing and inspection. This reduces
misinterpretations, and the need for costly engineering changes and rework that can result from a lack
of clarity.
Before GD&T existed, there were no standards; many people interpreted each drawing differently.
GD&T is standardized and mathematized which means that anyone who knows the language can
read a drawing and interpret it as intended.
  Dramatic time savings
By using GD&T, engineers dramatically reduce their need for drawing notes to describe complex
geometry requirements on components and assemblies.

 Fit with accepted design-for-manufacturing methods

The proper application
of GD&T closely
dovetails accepted and
logical mechanical
design processes and
design-for-
manufacturing
considerations. For
example, the allowable
variations as defined
through GD&T can be
directly read, or
“imported,” into 3-
dimensional tolerance
analysis software like
3DCS. When combined
together, this set of tools
can statistically predict
whether or not a product
or assembly will meet its
fit, finish and function requirements well before any actual products are produced.

Opportunity Lost
As a tool, GD&T has been used in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, commercial design, and other
manufacturing industries for the last few decades. Its usage has grown in tandem with the industries’ move
from mechanical drawings to digital design.

But is it being used to its fullest potential? Many experts, like GD&T pioneer and educator Bob Kaphengst,
say it is not.

According to Kaphengst, the lack of formal education about GD&T is one of the main roadblocks.

“Most engineering schools and graduate programs do not teach GD&T as part of their curricula,” explained
Kaphengst, “so when engineers get into the workplace, they simply apply the symbols they learn on the job
to their design work without a true understanding of how to optimize the use of GD&T to improve product
quality.”

GD&T Must Be a Team Effort

While GD&T must, first and foremost, capture design intent, it must also focus on function, cost and other
business concerns. The best designs in the world are worthless if they cannot be produced. That is why
manufacturers, suppliers, and quality engineers should all be involved with the requirements on each

2
drawing. When they are not involved, drawings often end up with overly tight tolerances or result in parts
that cannot be produced at the quality level, cost and turnaround times expected by industry.

“In many businesses, there isn’t smooth, consistent coordination between the designers who apply GD&T
and the manufacturing engineers who rely on the symbols for tooling and assembly,” notes Kaphengst.
“There needs to be a process where designers ask manufacturing engineers and quality inspectors if the
parts and tooling they’ve drawn will fit together and function as intended.”

Kaphengst believes that an understanding of GD&T should extend even beyond the product and
manufacturing engineers and that anyone who creates, approves or uses an engineering drawing should
know how to read and apply GD&T.

GD&T is one of the most powerful tools available to improve quality, reduce cost and shorten delivery time.
With a solid understanding of how to optimize this tool, companies around the globe can experience the
highest levels of customer satisfaction and profitability.

What Do You Think?

 Do you agree that GD&T isn’t as widely used as it should be?

 Should GD&T be added to engineering school curriculum? Do you know of programs that include
it?

 What do you think is the best way to teach GD&T across the organization, including manufacturing,
purchasing, etc. not just designers?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

About Bob Kaphengst

Robert Kaphengst serves as president and chief executive officer of
Dimensional Control Systems, Inc., www.3dcs.com, which he co-founded
in 1994. In addition, Kaphengst is a frequent industry speaker on the
continuous improvement of product quality through processes including
GD&T. Prior to co-founding DCS, he was with General Motors for nearly
30 years where he drove manufacturing process improvements. In his
last 10 years at GM, he was responsible for the dimensional
management process and the use of GD&T within the Truck Division.
After leaving General Motors, Kaphengst continued to serve as a
contractor, responsible for dimensional problem-solving at assembly
plants. Kaphengst is a widely respected pioneer in the application of
GD&T. including special applications on body sheet metal. He has taught several hundred classes on the subject at
companies across North America, South America, Germany and England.