DIMENSIONING

Dimensioning
Drawing of a component, in addition to providing complete shape description,
must also furnish information regarding the size description. These are provided
through the distances between the surfaces, location of holes, nature of surface
finish, type of material, etc. The expression of these features on a drawing, using
lines, symbols, figures and notes is called dimensioning.
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Principles of Dimensioning
1. All dimensional information
necessary to describe a component
clearly and completely shall be
written directly on a drawing.
2. Each feature shall be dimensioned
once only on a drawing, i.e.,
dimension marked in one view
need not be repeated in another
view.
3. Dimension should be placed on the
view where the shape is best seen
(Fig.2.14)
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Principles of Dimensioning
4. As far as possible, dimensions should be expressed in one unit only
preferably in millimeters, without showing the unit symbol (mm).
5. As far as possible dimensions should be placed outside the view (Fig.2.15).
6. Dimensions should be taken from visible outlines rather than from hidden
lines (Fig.2.16).
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Methods of Indicating Dimensions:

The dimensions are indicated on the drawings according to one of the following
two methods.
Method - 1 (Aligned method):
Dimensions should be placed parallel to and above their dimension lines and
preferably at the middle, and clear of the line. Dimensions may be written so
that they can be read from the bottom or from the right side of the drawing.
Dimensions on oblique dimension lines should be oriented as shown in Fig. and
except where unavoidable, they shall not be placed in the 30° zone. Angular
dimensions are oriented.
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Method - 1 (Aligned method):
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Methods of Indicating Dimensions:
Method - 2 (Uni-directional):
Dimensions should be indicated so that they can be read from the bottom of the
drawing only. Non-horizontal dimension lines are interrupted, preferably in the
middle for insertion of the dimension.
Note: Horizontal dimensional lines are not broken to place the dimension in both
cases.
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Method - 2 (Uni-directional):
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Dimensions must be drawn like this…

Use only one placing of dimension system in one entire drawing. The aligned and
unidirectional system should not be mixed together in one drawing.
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Examples of Wrong Dimensioning

Do not use visible lines of the model as

dimension extension lines.

The shorter dimensions should be placed

close to the object.
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Examples of Wrong Dimensioning

The dimension lines are not aligned with

one another.

Not having gaps where the center lines

cross the visible lines.
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Examples of Wrong Dimensioning

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Exercise - Dimensioning Top View
1. Draw and completely dimension the
objects shown using proper
dimensioning techniques. Wherever
a numerical dimension value is
required, measure it by ruler or
triangle (approx.). Use dimensioning
symbols where necessary. Follow the
alphabet of lines and rules of
dimensioning in drawing the object.
Note: Use A4 size paper with border
and title block. Over-all size of object
L=120 mm; H=48 mm; W=40 mm.
Use Uni-directional method of
dimensioning. Front View Side View