Chapter 2 (b):

Fits and Tolerances

Fit and Tolerances
 All components are manufactured within a
certain range of dimensional tolerance
 Variation in the size of components always
present
 Example: Shaft diameter ; 10 +/- 1.0 mm
-11.0 (max limit)
- 9.0 (min limit)
Definitions
Fit - degree of tightness and looseness
between two mating parts.
Clearance fit- fit that allows for rotation or
sliding between mating part
Interference fit- fit having limits of size that
interference always results when mating parts
are assembled
Transition fit- A fit with small clearance or
interference that allows for accurate location of
mating parts
Tolerances


Precision & Accuracy
Manufacturing processes are measured in
precision & accuracy.

1. Precision is how close the measured

values are to each other (repeatability)
2. Accuracy is how close a measured value
is to the target value.
Accuracy Versus Precision in Processes

Accuracy vs Precision. Dots in targets represent location

of shots. Cross (X) represents the location of the average
positions of all shots.
Fits & Classification
Fits- degree of tightness and looseness between two mating parts.

 Clearance fit- positive difference between the sizes of the hole and
the shaft.
 Interference fit- negative difference between the sizes of the hole
and the shaft.
 Transition fit - between clearance and interference fit, where the
tolerance zones of the holes and shaft overlap
Limits and Fits

 They are for specifying dimensions for holes

and shafts
 2 standards on limits and fits: inch and metric
unit
 Capital letters always refer to the hole and
lowercase letters to the shaft
Example 1
Consider an example of a shaft and a housing used in a linkage:

Type of fit: H8/f7

Basic or nominal size: dia. 40 mm

Determine the working limits, clearance and type of fit for the shaft and hole
in the housing.

Solution:
Look along ISO Fits data sheet 4500A and locate ‘Normal Fit’.
H8 for the hole (upper case H)
f7 for the shaft (lower case f)

Locate 40 mm in the left hand Nominal sizes column. Read across and note the
Tolerance values for the hole & shaft as shown in Figure below:
Tolerances Table (Hole basis system)

ISO 286-1 (2010)

Example 1 (Continue)
Tolerance:
1. Hole : +0.039 mm -0.000 mm
2. Shaft : -0.025 mm -0.050 mm

Limits:
1. Hole : min limit = 40 + 0 = 40.000 mm
max limit = 40 + 0.039 = 40.039 mm
2. Shaft : min limit = 40 + (-0.050) = 39.950 mm
max limit = 40 +(-0.025)= 39.975 mm
Clearance:
Minimum clearance = min hole size - max shaft size
= 40.000 – 39.975 = 0.025 mm (+ve clearance)

Maximum clearance= max hole size – min shaft size

= 40.039 – 39.950 = 0.089 mm (+ve clearance)
Type of fit : clearance fit
Type of Fit

-Door hinge

-Pulley held on shaft by set screw

-Keyed gear on shaft

-Folding knife pivot

-Flat electrical cable connectors

-Tapered shank drill (lathe
tailstock)
-Locating pins between cylinder
and crankcase on single cylinder
engines
-Ball bearing inner race
on shaft
-Cast iron drive gear on
shaft
-Steel drive gear on
shaft
Key Gear & Shaft Fitting
Bearing & Shaft Fitting
Review
Determine values of clearance and name type
of fit

Φ30H8e6
Φ30H7s6
Example 2: External Assembly of
Components

Determine max & min limit and assembly tolerance

Example 2: Assembly of Components
(continue)
Max limit = 10.05 + 20.1+10.05= 40.2 mm
Min limit = 9.95 + 19.9 + 9.95 = 39.8 mm

Tolerance for component:

b. 10.05 – 9.95 = 0.1

c. 20.1 -19.9 = 0.2
d. 10.05 – 9.95 = 0.1

Assembly tolerance = 0.4 mm

Example 2: Internal Assembly of
Components

Determine max & min clearance for assembly

Example 2: Internal Assembly of
Components (Continue)

Max clearance = 35.5 – (14.95 + 19.9) = 0.65

Min clearance = 35.3 – (15.05 + 20.1) = 0.15
Review

Determine type of fitting for Example 2 if

dimension d change to:

d= 35.15 (upper limit)

=34.85 (lower limit)