Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

(GD&T) per ASME Y14.5

Introduction
This course will introduce students to the foundational concepts of Dimensioning and
Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5 standard. This course will primarily reference the 2009 revision
of ASME Y14.5 but will make note, as applicable, of changes from the 1994 revision. It will
briefly review traditional coordinate dimensioning practices and then introduce students to the
key concepts of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 that address the known limitations and shortcomings
of coordinate dimensioning. This course will prepare students to begin thinking of design
approach in regard to defining and documenting machine component’s function in addition to its
size and shape. Course is instructor led with many class participation examples and hands on
student exercises. Course can be attended in person or on-line by joining in on live class session
via GoToMeeting. After final review and student assessments; students will be exposed to 2D
and 3D CAD tools and shown how to apply the lessons learned from this course to CAD
drawings.

At Course Completion
Students will have been introduced to GD&T per ASME Y14.5 2009 with awareness given to
the key changes from 1994. Students will understand the key benefits of GD&T over coordinate
dimensioning and be better prepared to design and document component’s function in addition to
size and shape. Students will be able to identify all symbols of Form, Profile, Orientation,
Location and Runout, and understand their basic functions and application. Students will also
better understand Datums, Feature Control Frames, Modifiers and the implication Modifiers
have on tolerance known as bonus Tolerancing.

Prerequisites
Potential students should have or completed the following prior to the class:

 Mechanical Design Experience

 Understanding of Geometry and Relationships between parts in design
 Basic understanding of drawing practices: Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Course Materials
Students will be provided during class, and be allowed to keep: Group Class Exercises,
Individual Student Exercises, Class Review “Study Guide”, Student Assessment and a GD&T
Quick Reference Guide.

Agenda:
Day 1

Lesson 1: Coordinate Dimensioning isn’t always enough.

 addressing the limitations and shortcoming of Coordinate Dimensioning

Lesson 2: GD&T; A Universal Language

 Introduction to GD&T per ASME Y14.5 - 2009
 What language are we speaking?
 Introduction to Symbols and Functions
 Prelim Student Assessment

Lesson 3: Why? Reasoning and Benefits of GD&T

 Considering Function First; will it fit?
 Considering Manufacturability & Quality
 Considering Cost

Lesson 4: Rule #1; limits of size rule

 Size vs. Form
 Size controls Form
 Class Exercise

Lesson 5: Datums; a good place to start

 Datum Feature vs. Datum Simulator vs. Datum Plane
 WCS vs. DRF (Working Coordinate System vs. Datum Reference Frame)
 Primary, Secondary, Tertiary = Datum Precedence
 Plane, Line, Point = “6 Point Nest”
 Student Handouts

Lesson 6: GD&T Symbols; learning a new language

 Form
 Profile
 Orientation
 Location
 Runout
 Student Exercise
 Student Handout (GD&T Quick Reference Guide)

Lesson 7: Feature Control Frame (FCF); forming a full sentence with GD&T
 Compartments
  Single vs. Composite vs. Single Segment
 Placement
 Class Exercise
 Student Exercise

Day 2

Lesson 8: Modifiers; Understanding Material Condition

 LMC (L) / MMC (M) / RFS*
 LMB (L) / MMB (M) / RMB
 Bonus Tolerancing
 Class Exercise
 Student Exercise

Note: Lessons 9 – 13 will each have a Class Exercise and Student Exercise
(Reference the GD&T Quick Reference Guide given in Lesson 6 as needed)

Lesson 9: Form; keep it in shape

 Straightness
 Flatness
 Circularity
 Cylindricity

Lesson 10: Profile; keep it within boundaries

 Profile of a Line
 Profile of a Surface

Lesson 11: Orientation; keep it the right direction

 Angularity
 Perpendicularity
 Parallelism

Lesson 12: Location; keep it relative

 Position
 Concentricity
 Symmetry

Lesson 13: Runout; keep it from running away

 Circular Runout
 Total Runout

Lesson 14: Rules and Guidelines;

 Datums
 Conditions
 Functional Gaging
Day 3

Lesson 15: Review; putting it all together

 Datums
 Symbols
 FCF
 Conditions
 Class Exercise review

Lesson 16: Student Assessments, confirming what we’ve learned

 Datums
 Symbols
 FCF
 Student Assessments

Lesson 17: CAD, applying GD&T using CAD

 Dimensions
 Tolerances
 Datums
 Symbols
 Feature Control Frames
 Notes and Annotations