Activity 4.1 – Tolerances1.

1
 1.
Letter Tolerance Format
A Bilateral
B Bilateral
C Limit
D Bilateral
Written Explanation Tolerance
This means that it can 0.002
be .001 above and
below the specified
dimension
This means that it can 0.002
be .001 above and
below the specified
dimension
This means the max 0.01
has to be 4.250 and the
min has to be 4.240
This means that it can 0.004
be .002 above and
below the specified
 dimension
E Unilateral This means that it can 0.010
only be 0.010 below
the specified
dimension
F Unilateral This means that it can 0.02
only be 0.02 above the
specified dimension
G Limit This means the max 0.03
has to be .27 and the
min has to be .24
H Bilateral This means that it can 0.04
be .02 above and
below the specified
dimension
 2. Use a calibrated dial caliper to measure the inside diameter of the center
hole on each of the four rows of the 3D printed block. Record the hole
measurements in a location specified by your teacher.
Row Inside Diameter
(inches)
1 0.1796
2 0.1889
3 0.2122
4 0.2381

3. Follow Link in CTLS to record hole dimensions.

4. Assume the hole diameter measurements represent a normal distribution. Write

a bilateral tolerance for the diameter of each hole that would likely include more
than 99 percent of the holes produced using the same CAD file and printer.

Answer Here:
Hole 1 measurements bilateral tolerance 0.1734 ± 0.0225
Hole 2 measurements bilateral tolerance 0.1861 ± 0.022
Hole 3 measurements bilateral tolerance 0.2105 ± 0.0153
Hole 4 measurements bilateral tolerance 0.2371 ± 0.0228

5. Select one metal dowel pin or wooden dowel rod from your set.
a. In your notebook or a spreadsheet application, create a table
similar to the one below.

Material Pin/Rod Diameter Row Observations

Wood (thin) 0.1132 This one went through all
of the holes
Wood (thick) 0.2452 This rod didn’t fit in any of
them
Metal (short) 0.1875 This one fit in the 2nd
column and the middle
hole in that column
Metal (medium) 0.2024 This rod fit in the 3 column
and the first hole in that
column
Metal (long) 0.2550 This rod didn’t fit in any of
 them

Answer Here: The difference between the ease of rotation that happens in the scenarios
depends on the measurements. The motion occurring between a tolerance block hole
and the dowel pin occurs between the contact points of these two.

a. Which combination of hole size and pin/rod size would you recommend if the
design objective is to connect two blocks together without allowing motion
between the blocks?
Answer Here:

b. Which combination of hole size and pin/rod size would you recommend if
the design objective is to allow free rotation while minimizing lateral
movement of the pin/dowel within the hole?
Answer Here:

c. Which combination of hole size and pin/rod size would you recommend if
the design objective is to store the tolerance block on a peg board?
Answer Here:

6. Add a full page pdf of your CAD Drawing including tolerances to the end of this
pdf using a website such as ilovepdf.com

Conclusions:

1. Why do engineers place tolerances on dimensions?

2. What are the differences between clearance, interference, and transition

fits? Give an example of a design that requires a clearance fit. Give an
example of a design that requires an interference fit.
3. Why is it important in manufacturing to determine allowances? How do
allowances relate to tolerance dimensioning?