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DIMENSIONING AND TOLERANCING (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

DIMENSIONING

• A numerical value/s or mathematical expression provided in appropriate units of measure and used to define
form, size, orientation, or location of a feature or part

Figure 1 Using the latest dimensioning and notation standards will assure accurate manufacturing
(Source: Cengage Learning)

Figure 2 Without dimensions and notations, the manufacture of this adapter will be impossible
(Source: Cengage Learning)

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DIMENSIONING BASICS (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

There are two classifications of dimensions:

• Size dimensions - These are placed directly on a feature in the form of a note

o There are two (2) types of notes:

▪ Local notes - connected to specific features on the views of

the drawing; specific notes

▪ General notes - placed separate from the views and relate to

the entire drawing

• Location dimensions - Provide the relationship of features of an object

Figure 3 Size dimensions (Source: Cengage Learning) Figure 4 Location dimensions (Source: Cengage Learning)

Figure 5 A fully dimensioned drawing (Source: Cengage Learning)

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DIMENSIONING TERMINOLOGIES (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

• Actual size - The actual size is the measured size of a feature or part after manufacturing

Figure 6 The actual size includes local size and the actual mating size (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Allowance - It is the tightest possible fit between two mating parts

• Basic dimension - A basic dimension is considered a theoretically exact size, location, profile, or
orientation of a feature or point
• Bilateral tolerance - A bilateral tolerance is allowed to vary in two (2) directions from the specified
dimension
• Datum - A datum is considered a theoretically exact surface, plane, axis, center plane, or point from
which dimensions for related features are established
• Diameter - Diameter is the distance across a circle measured through the center

Figure 7 Dimensioning circles with a diameter (Source: Cengage Learning)

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• Dimension - A dimension is a numerical value used on a drawing to describe size, shape, location,
form, or orientation of a feature
• Feature - A feature is the general term applied to describe a physical portion of a part or object, such
as a surface, slot, tab, pin, keyseat, or hole
• Feature of size - The term feature of size refers to one cylindrical or spherical surface, a circular
element, or a set of two (2) opposed elements or opposed parallel plane surfaces, each of which is
associated with a directly tolerance dimension
• Geometric tolerance - Geometric tolerance is the general term applied to the category of tolerances
used to control size, form, profile, orientation, location, and runout
• Least material condition (LMC) - Least material condition (LMC) is the condition in which a feature
contains the least amount of material allowed by the size limits
• Limits of dimension - The limits of a dimension are the largest and smallest possible boundaries to
which a feature can be made as related to the tolerance of the dimension
• Maximum material condition (MMC) - MMC is the largest limit for an external feature and the
smallest limit for an internal feature
• Nominal size - Nominal size is a dimension used for general identification such as stock size and
thread diameter
• Radius - A radius is the distance from the center of a circle to the outside

Figure 8 Dimensioning a radius and a controlled radius (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Reference dimension - A reference dimension is used for information purposes only and is usually
without a tolerance
• Stock size - It is a commercial or pre-manufactured size such as a particular size of square, round, or
hex steel bar

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• Specified dimension - The specified dimension is the part of the dimension from which the limits are
calculated
• Tolerance - The tolerance of a dimension is the total permissible variation in size or location
• Unilateral tolerance - A unilateral tolerance is a tolerance that has a variation in only one direction
from the specified dimension

FUNDAMENTAL DIMENSIONING RULES (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

The following rules are summarized from ASME Y14.5-2009:
▪ Each dimension has a tolerance except for dimensions specifically identified as reference,
maximum, minimum or stock
▪ Dimensioning and tolerancing must be complete to the extent that there is full understanding
of the characteristics of each feature
▪ Each necessary dimension of an end product must be shown
▪ Dimensions must be selected and arranged to suit the function and mating relationship of a
part
▪ Dimensions must not be subject to more than one interpretation
▪ The drawing should define the part without specifying the manufacturing process
▪ It is allowed to identify (as non-mandatory) certain processing dimensions that provide or
finish allowance, shrink allowance, and other requirements, provided the final dimensions are
given on the drawing
▪ Non-mandatory processing dimensions should be identified by an appropriate note, such as
NONMANDATORY
▪ Dimensions should be arranged to provide required information arranged from optimum
readability
▪ Wires, cables, sheets, rods, and other materials manufactured to gage or code numbers
should be specified by dimensions indicating the diameter or thickness
▪ A 90° angle is implied where the centerlines and lines displaying features are shown on a 2-D
drawing at right angles and no angle is specified
▪ A 90° basic angle applies where centerlines of features are located by basic dimensions and
no angle is specified
▪ A zero basic dimension applies where axes, center planes, or surfaces are shown one over the
other on a drawing and geometric controls establish the relationship between features
▪ Unless otherwise specified, all dimensions and tolerances are measured at 20°C (68°F)
▪ Unless otherwise specified, all dimensions and tolerances apply in a free state condition
except for non-rigid parts
▪ Unless otherwise specified, all other tolerances apply for the full depth, length and width of
the feature
▪ Dimensions and tolerances apply on the drawing where specified
▪ A coordinate system shown on a drawing is considered right-handed unless otherwise
specified
▪ A 3-D model coordinate system shall comply with ASME Y14.41, Digital Product Definition
Data Practices, when shown on drawing

PARTS OF A DIMENSION (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

• Dimension lines - Indicates the length of the dimension
• Angular dimension line - An angular dimension is an arc with the center of the arc from the vertex of
the angle
• Dimension text - It is normally .12 in. (3 mm) high, centered in the space provided in the dimension
line
• Leader line - A leader line is a thin line used to connect a specific note to a feature on the drawing

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• Arrowheads - These are used to cap the dimension line and leader line ends
• Extension lines - These are thin lines used to establish the extent of a dimension
• Center dash - It is a part of the centerline and is drawn as thin lines
• Centerline space - This is the space between the short and long dashes of the centerline

Figure 9 Standard dimensioning characteristics (Source: Cengage Learning)

DIMENSIONING SYMBOLS (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

Figure 10 ASME dimensioning conventions (Source: Cengage Learning)

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Figure 11 Standard ASME-recommended dimensioning symbols (Source: Cengage Learning)

DIMENSIONING SYSTEMS (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

• Unidirectional dimensioning – It is commonly used in mechanical drafting for manufacturing

Figure 12 Unidirectional dimensioning (Source: Cengage Learning)

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• Aligned dimensioning – It requires that all numerals, figures, and notes be aligned with the dimension
lines so they can be read from the bottom for horizontal dimensions and from the right side for
vertical dimensions

Figure 13 Aligned dimensioning (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Rectangular coordinate dimensioning without dimension lines – Omitting dimension lines is common
for drawings in industries that use computer-controlled machining processes and when
unconventional dimensioning practices are required because of product features

Figure 14 Rectangular coordinate dimensioning without dimension lines (Source: Cengage Learning)

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• Tabular dimensioning – It is a form of rectangular coordinate dimensioning without dimension lines in

which size and location dimensions from datums or coordinates ( X, Y, Z axes) are given in a table
identifying features on the drawing

Figure 15 Tabular dimensioning (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Chart drawings – These are used when a particular part or assembly has one (1) or more dimensions
that change depending on the specific application

Figure 16 Chart drawing (Source: Cengage Learning)

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DIMENSIONING LAYOUT FUNDAMENTALS (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

• Dimensioning units – The metric International System of Units (SI) are provided in ASME Y14.5-2009
rather than United States (U.S.) customary units for use on engineering drawings
• Decimal points – When dimensions have numerals containing decimal points, the decimal points
should be uniform throughout the drawing

Figure 17 Standard dimensioning layout standards and specifications (Source: Cengage Learning)

• U. S. Customary Dimensioning – ASME standards for U. S. customary dimensioning with the use of
decimal-inch value:

Figure 18 ASME conventions for U.S. customary dimensions (Source: Cengage Learning)

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• Metric Dimensioning – ASME standards for metric dimensioning require all dimensions to be
expressed in millimeters

Figure 19 ASME conventions for metric dimensions (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Using fractions – Fractions are used on engineering drawings, but they are not as common as decimal
inches or millimeters

Figure 20 Numerals in fractions (Source: Cengage Learning)

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• Arrowheads – Arrowheads are used to terminate dimension lines and leaders

Figure 21 Arrowheads (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Dimension line spacing – Dimension lines are drawn parallel to the feature or object being
dimensioned

Figure 22 Minimum dimension line spacing (Source: Cengage Learning)

• Relationship of dimension lines to numerals – Dimension numerals are centered on the dimension
line unless another placement is necessary

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Figure 23 Dimensioning applications to limited spaces; Metric values are used unless otherwise specified
(Source: Cengage Learning)

Figure 24 Correct and incorrect dimensioning practices (Source: Cengage Learning)

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• Direct dimensioning – It is applied to control the size or location of one or more specific features

Figure 25 A comparison of tolerance buildup between direct chain and baseline dimensioning (a) Direct dimensioning results in the least
tolerance buildup (b) Chain dimensioning results in the most tolerance buildup (c) Baseline dimensioning results in less tolerance
buildup than chain dimensioning but more than direct dimensioning (Source: Cengage Learning)

DIMENSIONING LAYOUT FUNDAMENTALS (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

• Thought and planning
• Dimensioning tools

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Figure 26 Using CADD to place linear dimensions (Source: Cengage Learning)

Figure 27 (a) Creating two sets of baseline dimensions using a baseline dimensioning command (b) Creating two
sets of chain dimensioning using a chain dimensioning command (Source: Cengage Learning)

TOLERANCING APPLICATIONS (Madsen, Engineering Drawing and design , 2011)

• Plus-minus dimensioning – It uses a bilateral or unilateral tolerance format, depending on the
application
• Limit dimensioning – It is an alternative method of showing and calculating tolerance

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References:

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.informs.org/About-INFORMS/What-is-Operations-Research

Anderson, D. R., Sweeney, D. J., Williams, T. A., Camm, J. D., Cochran, J. J., Fry, M. J., &
Ohlmann, J. W. (2012). Quantitative Methods for Business. Ohio, USA: South-Western,
Cengage Learning.
Levin, R. I., Rubin, D. S., Stinson, J. P., & Gardner, E. S. (1992). Quantitative approaches to
management. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Madsen, D. P. (2011). Engineering Drawing and design. Delmar Publishers Inc. .
Madsen, D. P. (2011). Engineering Drawing and design . Delmar Publishers Inc. .
Wallach, P. R. (2014). Fundamentals of Modern Drafting . Cengage Learning .

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