Lecture 3 & 4 - Dimensioning

Lecture # 3 & 4
ENGINEERING DRAWING
& GRAPHICS
Dimensioning
Course code: 115206
Instructors: Dr. Bilal Ahmad
Mr. Behram Khan
Mr. Farhan Shareef
Institute of
Space Technology Department of Mechanical Engineering
Contents of today’s lecture:
 Introduction to dimensioning.
 Dimensioning components.
 Dimensioning principles.
 Recommended practices.
 Positioning of dimensions in engineering
drawings
 General Rules for Dimensioning
Introduction to dimensioning
Example : Line conventions in engineering drawing

Glossary: Meaning of Lines
Visible lines represent features that can be seen in the

current view
Hidden lines represent features that can not be seen in
the current view
Center line represents symmetry, path of motion, centers

of circles, axis of axisymmetrical parts
Dimension and Extension lines indicate the sizes and

location of features on a drawing
Basic Line Types
Name according
Types of Lines Appearance
to application
Continuous thick line Visible line
Continuous thin line Dimension line

Extension line
Leader line
Dash thick line Hidden line
Chain thin line Center line
NOTE : We will learn other types of line in later chapters.

Engineering design process
PROCESS RESULT TRANSFERRED
INFORMATION
Design Sketches
a part of ideas
Multiview
Create Shape
Drawing
drawings
1. Size, Location
Dimensioning
2. Non-graphic information
Manufacture
Definition
Dimensioning is the process of specifying part’ s
information by using of figures, symbols and notes.
This information are such as:

1. Sizes and Locations of Features
2. Material’s Type This course
3. Number Required
4. Kind of surface finish
5. Manufacturing process
6. Size and geometric tolerances
Dimensioning system
1. Metric system : ISO and JIS standards

This
course
Examples 32, 32.5, 32.55, 0.5 (not .5) etc.
2. Decimal-inch system
Examples 0.25 (not .25), 5.375 etc.
3. Fractional-inch system
1 , 3
Examples 5 etc.
4 8
Dimensioning Components
Dimensioning components
Extension lines
Dimension lines
Drawn with
(with arrowheads) 4H pencil
Leader lines
Dimension figures
Notes :
Lettered with
- local note
2H pencil.
- general note
Extension lines
Extension lines indicate the location on the object’s features

that are dimensioned.
Dimension lines
Dimension lines indicate the direction and extent of a
dimension, and inscribe dimension figures.
10 27
13
43
Leader lines
Leader lines indicate details of the feature with a local
note.
10 27 10 Drill, 2 Holes
R16
13
43
Dimensioning Principles
The basic concept
Dimensioning is accomplished by adding size and location
information necessary to manufacture the object.
This information have to be
• Clear
• Complete
• Facilitate the
• manufacturing method
• measurement method
Example: L L
Designed
part
L
S
L
S
To manufacture this part
S
we need to know…
1. Width, depth and
S
thickness of the part.
2. Diameter and depth
of the hole.
“S” denotes size dimension.
3. Location of the holes.
“L” denotes location dimension.
Angle
To dimension an angle use circular dimension line having

the center at the vertex of the angle.
COMMON MISTAKE
Arc
Arcs are dimensioned by giving the radius, in the views in
which their true shapes appear.
The letter “R” is always lettered before the figures to

emphasize that this dimension is radius of an arc.
or
The dimension figure and the arrowhead should

be inside the arc, where there is sufficient space.
Sufficient space Sufficient space Insufficient space

for both. for arrowhead only. for both.
Move figure outside Move both figure
and arrow outside
R 62.5
R 6.5
R 58.5
Leader line must be radial and inclined with
an angle between 30 ~ 60 degs to the horizontal.
COMMON MISTAKE
R62.5 R62.5 R62.5

R62.5
R62.5 R62.5
Curve
The curve constructed from two or more arcs,
requires the dimensions of radii and center’s
location.
COMMON MISTAKE
Tangent point
Cylinder
Size dimensions are diameter and length.
Location dimension must be located from its

center lines and should be given in circular view.
Measurement
method
Cylinder
Diameter should be given in a longitudinal view with the

symbol “ ” placed before the figures.
 100
 70
Holes
Size dimensions are diameter and depth.

Location dimension must be located from its
center lines and should be given in circular view.
Measurement
method
Holes : Small size
Use leader line and local note to specify diameter
and hole’s depth in the circular view.
1) Through thickness hole
f xx f xx Thru. xx Drill. xx Drill, Thru.
or or or
Holes : Small size
Use leader line and local note to specify diameter
and hole’s depth in the circular view.
2) Blind hole
f xx, yy Deep xx Drill, yy Deep
or
Hole’s
depth
Holes : Large size
Use extension and Use diametral Use leader line

dimension lines dimension line and note
f xx
Holes
COMMON MISTAKE
f xx f xx
f xx Rxx
f xx
f xx
Chamfer
Use leader line and note to indicate linear
distance and angle of the chamfer.
S q
S
For a 45o chamfer

or
CS S S
Rounded-end shapes
Dimensioned according to the manufacturing

method used.
f 12
R12 Center to Center Distance
21
5
Rounded-end shapes

method used.
R12
12
21
Center to Center Distance

5
Rounded-end shapes

method used.
R12
12
16 21
Rounded-end shapes

method used.
R12
12
27
Tool cutting distance

Rounded-end shapes
Dimensioned according to the standard sizes of

another part to be assembled or manufacturing
method used.
20
Dimension figures : Units
The JIS and ISO standards adopt the unit of
Length dimension in millimeters without

specifying a unit symbol “mm”.
Angular dimension in degree with a symbol “o”

(and if necessary minutes and seconds may be
used together).
Dimension figures : orientation
1. Aligned method
The dimension figures are placed so that they are
readable from the bottom and right side of the
drawing.
2. Unidirectional method
The dimension figures are placed so that they can be

read from the bottom of the drawing.
Do not use both system on the same drawing or on the

same series of drawing.
Example: Dimension of length using aligned method.
30
30
30
30
Example : Dimension of length using unidirectional
method. 30
30 30
30 30
30 30
30
Example : Dimension of angle using aligned method.
45o
45o
45o
45o
Example : Dimension of angle using unidirectional method.
45o
45o 45o
45o 45o
45o 45o
45o
Recommended Practices
Recommended practices
Extension lines
Leave a visible gap (≈ 1 m m )from a view and start

drawing an extension line.
COMMON MISTAKE
Visible gap
Extension lines
Do not break the lines as they cross object lines.
COMMON MISTAKE
Continuous
Dimension lines
Dimension lines should not be spaced too close

to each other and to the view.
Leave a space at least
2 times of a letter height.
16
11
34
35
Leave a space at least

1 time of a letter height.
Dimension figures
The height of figures is suggested to be 2.5~3 mm.
Place the numbers at about 1 mm above dimension

line and between extension lines.
34 COMMON MISTAKE
11
34
11
Dimension figures
When there is not enough space for figure or
arrows, put it outside either of the extension lines.
Not enough space Not enough space

for figures for arrows
16.25
16.25 1 1 1
or
Local notes
Place the notes near to the feature which they
apply, and should be placed outside the view.
Always read horizontally.
COMMON MISTAKE
10 Drill
10 Drill
10 Drill
≈ 10mm
Too far
Use the foreshortened radial dimension line,
when arc’ s center locates outside the sheet or
interfere with other views.
Method 1 Method 2
Drawing sheet
Fillets and rounds
Give the radius of a typical fillet only by using a
local note.
If all fillets and rounds are uniform in size,

dimension may be omitted, but it is necessary to
add the note “ All fillets and round are Rxx. ”
R6.5 R12
Drawing
sheet
NOTE:
NOTE: All fillets and round are R6.5
All fillets and round are R6.5 unless otherwise specified.
Positioning of dimensions in engineering
drawings
Positioning of dimensions in
engineering drawings
1. Extension lines, leader lines should not cross
dimension lines.
POOR GOOD
2. Extension lines should be drawn from the nearest
points to be dimensioned.
POOR GOOD
3. Extension lines of internal feature can cross visible
lines without leaving a gap at the intersection point.
WRONG CORRECT
4. Do not use object line, center line, and dimension
line as an extension lines.
POOR GOOD
5. Avoid dimensioning hidden lines.
POOR GOOD
6. Place dimensions outside the view, unless
placing them inside improve the clarity.
JUST OK !!! BETTER
7. Apply the dimension to the view that clearly show
the shape or features of an object.
POOR GOOD
8. Dimension lines should be lined up and grouped
together as much as possible.
POOR GOOD
9. Do not repeat a dimension.
POOR GOOD
General Rules for Dimensioning
• Dimensioning should be done so completely that further
calculation or assumption of any dimension, or direct
measurement from the drawing is not necessary.
• Every dimension must be given, but none should be
given more than once.
• A dimension should be placed on the view where its use
is shown more clearly.
• Dimensions should be placed outside the views, unless
they are clearer and more easily read inside.
• Aligned system of dimensioning is recommended.
• Mutual crossing of dimension lines and dimensioning
between hidden lines should be avoided. Dimension
lines should not cross any other line of the drawing.
• An outline or a center line should never be used as a
dimension line. A center line may be extended to
serve as an extension line.
 Dimension lines should be drawn at least 8 mm away from the outlines and
from each other.
 Dimensions in a series may be placed in any one of the following two ways:
Continuous or chain dimensioning:
• Dimensions are arranged in a straight line.
• An overall dimension is placed outside the smaller dimensions.
• One of the smaller dimensions (the least important) is generally omitted.
Progressive or parallel dimensioning:
• All dimensions are shown from a common base line.
• Cumulative error is avoided by this method.
• This method is preferable.
• Smaller dimensions should be placed nearer the view and the larger
further away so that extension lines do not cross dimension lines.
• When a number of parallel dimension lines are to be shown near each
other, the dimensions should be staggered.
• Dimensions should be shown where the shape is easily identified.
• Arrowheads should ordinarily be drawn within the limits of the
dimensioned feature. But when the space is too narrow, they may be
placed outside. A dot may also be used to replace an arrowhead.
• Dimensions of cylindrical parts
should as far as possible be placed
in the views in which they are seen
as rectangles .
• The dimension indicating a
diameter should always be
preceded by the symbol .
• Dimension of a cylinder should not
be given as a radius.
• Fig. below shows various methods of dimensioning different sizes of
circles. Dimensions should be shown in one view only, the same
dimension must not be repeated in other view.
• Holes should be dimensioned in the view in which they

appear as circles. They should be located by their center
lines.
• In case of a large-size bore or a pitch
circle, the dimension may be shown by a
diagonal diameter.
• But (in aligned system) a dimension
should not be placed within 30° zone of
the vertical center line as shown by the
shaded space
• Dimensioning of equally spaced holes

on pitch circles.
• When holes are not equally or uniformly

spaced on the pitch circle, they should
be located by angles with one of the two
main center lines.
• Arcs of circles should be dimensioned by their
respective radii.
• Dimension line for the radius should pass through
the center of the arc.
• The dimension figure must be preceded by the
letter R.
• Letters SQ should precede

the dimension for a rod of
square cross-section.
• The word SPHERE should be placed before the

dimension(radius R or diameter ) of a spherical
part.
• Angular dimensions may be given
by any one of the methods shown
in fig.
• Fig. shows a method of dimensioning a

countersunk hole. The maximum diameter is also
sometimes given.
• Methods of dimensioning a chamfer is

shown in fig. below.
• Size, along with the useful

length must be given while
dimensioning an external
screw thread.
• In case of internal screw

thread, in addition to the
size and type, the depth of
the drilled hole before
tapping must also be given.
• A slope or taper is defined as unit • Fig. shows the method of
alteration in a specified length. The indicating slope on a flat piece. It
specified length is measured along the is written parallel to the sloping
base line in case of flat pieces and line.
along the axis in case of shafts.
• The taper on a shaft is indicated • Fig. shows method of

along the center line and is dimensioning for frustum. It is
accompanied by one or both the drawn obliquely but parallel to
diameters. each other.
• Fig. shows methods of
dimensioning chords, arcs and
angles
Correct and Incorrect dimensioning
Any Questions?
Institute of
Department of
Space Technology Mechanical Engineering

Lecture 3 &amp; 4 - Dimensioning

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Lecture # 3 & 4

Example : Line conventions in engineering drawing

Glossary: Meaning of Lines

Visible lines represent features that can be seen in the

Center line represents symmetry, path of motion, centers

Dimension and Extension lines indicate the sizes and

Continuous thick line Visible line

Continuous thin line Dimension line

Dash thick line Hidden line

Chain thin line Center line

NOTE : We will learn other types of line in later chapters.

This information are such as:

1. Metric system : ISO and JIS standards

Examples 0.25 (not .25), 5.375 etc.

Extension lines indicate the location on the object’s features

This information have to be

To dimension an angle use circular dimension line having

The letter “R” is always lettered before the figures to

The dimension figure and the arrowhead should

Sufficient space Sufficient space Insufficient space

R62.5 R62.5 R62.5

Size dimensions are diameter and length.

Location dimension must be located from its

Diameter should be given in a longitudinal view with the

Size dimensions are diameter and depth.

1) Through thickness hole

f xx f xx Thru. xx Drill. xx Drill, Thru.

Use extension and Use diametral Use leader line

For a 45o chamfer

Dimensioned according to the manufacturing

Dimensioned according to the manufacturing

Center to Center Distance

Dimensioned according to the manufacturing

Dimensioned according to the manufacturing

Tool cutting distance

Dimensioned according to the standard sizes of

The JIS and ISO standards adopt the unit of

Length dimension in millimeters without

Angular dimension in degree with a symbol “o”

The dimension figures are placed so that they can be

Do not use both system on the same drawing or on the

Leave a visible gap (≈ 1 m m )from a view and start

Dimension lines should not be spaced too close

Leave a space at least

Place the numbers at about 1 mm above dimension

Not enough space Not enough space

Always read horizontally.

If all fillets and rounds are uniform in size,

• Holes should be dimensioned in the view in which they

• Dimensioning of equally spaced holes

• When holes are not equally or uniformly

• Letters SQ should precede

• The word SPHERE should be placed before the

• Fig. shows a method of dimensioning a

• Methods of dimensioning a chamfer is

• Size, along with the useful

• In case of internal screw

• The taper on a shaft is indicated • Fig. shows method of

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