Tolerance & Allowance

Introduction
— Modern industry has developed on the basis of interchangeable manufacturing.
— Interchangeable manufacturing means production of parts to such a degree of accuracy
as is necessary to permit assembly and proper functioning of parts without further
machining or fitting.
— To set the dimension for many product we make certain gages that measure
dimensions. So gages used for interchangeable manufacturing.

Tolerances
Firstly, tolerance is the permissible variation in dimension of a component (hole or shaft),
whereas allowance is the prescribed difference between dimension of two mating parts.
Secondly, tolerance is the difference between higher and lower limits of a dimension,
depending on the manufacturing capability of a machine.

Tolerance Dimensioning
Tolerance is the total amount that a specific dimension is permitted to vary;
It is the difference between the maximum and the minimum limits for the dimension.
For Example a dimension given as 1.625 ± .002 means that the manufactured part may be
1.627” or 1.623”, or anywhere between these limit dimensions.

The Tolerance is 0.001” for the Hole as well as for the Shaft
Examples

Shaft tolerance = 1.248 - 1.247 =0.001

Hole tolerance= 1.251-1.250= 0.001
Allowance=1.250-1.248= 0.02
Max clearances=1.251-1.247= 0.04

 Why Tolerances are specified?

 Variations in properties of the material being machined introduce errors.
 The production machines themselves may have some inherent inaccuracies.
 It is impossible for an operator to make perfect settings. While setting up the tools and
work piece on the machine, some errors are likely to creep in.

Types of Tolerances
 Unilateral Tolerance:
• When the two limit dimensions are only on one side of the nominal size, (either above
or below) the tolerances are said to be unilateral.
• For unilateral tolerances, a case may occur when one of the limits coincide with the
basic size.
 Bilateral Tolerance:
• When the two limit dimensions are above and below nominal size, (i.e. on either side of
the nominal size) the tolerances are said to be bilateral.

Specifications of Tolerances

2. Plus-or-minus Dimensioning
• Unilateral Tolerance
 • Bilateral Tolerance

Allowances:

 Allowance is the difference between the dimensions of two mating part (hole and shaft)
for any type of fit.
 It is intentional difference between the lower limit of the hole and higher limit of the
shaft.
 It is the minimum clearance (positive allowance) or maximum interference (Negative
allowance) between parts.
1. Allowance = 1.250-1.248=0.002
• Hole Limit=1.250
• Shaft Limit=1.248
 Allowance is associated with two dimensions of two parts that form a fit.
 Allowance is calculated as the difference between the maximum shaft size and
minimum hole size is known as allowance.

Interchangeable Fit
Difference b/w Tolerance and Allowance

What is the limit of tolerance?

limits of tolerance: The upper and lower limits to the range of particular environmental factors
(e.g. light, temperature, availability of water) within which an organism can survive.