7-8 Limits and Fits

1
7-8 Limits and Fits
• Shaft diameters need to be sized to “fit” the shaft
components (for example gears, bearings, etc.)
o Need ease of assembly.
o Need minimum slop.
o May need to transmit torque through press fit.
• Shaft design requires only nominal shaft
diameters.
• Precise dimensions, including tolerances, are
necessary to finalize design.

• Close tolerances generally increase cost.

o Require additional processing steps.
o Require additional inspection.
o Require machines with lower production rates.

2
Nomenclature for Cylindrical Fit
• Upper case letters refer to hole.
• Lower case letters refer to shaft.
• Basic size is the nominal diameter
and is same for both parts, D=d.
• Tolerance is the difference between
maximum and minimum size.
• Deviation is the difference between a
size and the basic size.
• Tolerance is the difference between maximum
and minimum size.
• International tolerance grade numbers
designate groups of tolerances such that the
tolerances for a particular IT number have the
same relative level of accuracy but vary
depending on the basic size.
• IT grades range from IT0 to IT16, but only IT6
to IT11 are generally needed.
• Specifications for IT grades are listed in Table
A–11 for metric series and A–13 for inch series. Fig. 7–20
3
Tolerance Grades – Metric Series – DD or Dd

Tolerance Grades
Basic
Sizes IT6 IT7 IT8 IT9 IT10 IT 11
0 to 3 0.006 0.010 0.014 0.025 0.040 0.060
3 to 6 0.008 0.012 0.018 0.030 0.048 0.075
6 to 10 0.009 0.015 0.022 0.036 0.058 0.090
10 to 18 0.011 0.018 0.027 0.043 0.070 0.110
18 to 30 0.013 0.021 0.033 0.052 0.084 0.130
30 to 50 0.016 0.025 0.039 0.062 0.100 0.160
50 to 80 0.019 0.030 0.046 0.074 0.120 0.190
80 to 120 0.022 0.035 0.054 0.087 0.140 0.220
120 to 180 0.025 0.040 0.063 0.100 0.160 0.250
180 to 250 0.029 0.046 0.072 0.115 0.185 0.290
250 to 315 0.032 0.052 0.081 0.130 0.210 0.320
315 to 400 0.036 0.057 0.089 0.140 0.230 0.360
Table A–11
4
Tolerance Grades – Inch Series - DD or Dd

Tolerance Grades
Basic
Sizes IT6 IT7 IT8 IT9 IT 10 IT 11
0 to 0.12 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0010 0.0016 0.0024
0.12 to 0.24 0.0003 0.0005 0.0007 0.0012 0.0019 0.0030
0.24 to 0.40 0.0004 0.0006 0.0009 0.0014 0.0023 0.0035
0.40 to 0.72 0.0004 0.0007 0.0011 0.0017 0.0028 0.0043
0.72 to 1.20 0.0005 0.0008 0.0013 0.0020 0.0033 0.0051
1.20 to 2.00 0.0006 0.0010 0.0015 0.0024 0.0039 0.0063
2.00 to 3.20 0.0007 0.0012 0.0018 0.0029 0.0047 0.0075
3.20 to 4.80 0.0009 0.0014 0.0021 0.0034 0.0055 0.0087
4.80 to 7.20 0.0010 0.0016 0.0025 0.0039 0.0063 0.0098
7.20 to 10.00 0.0011 0.0018 0.0028 0.0045 0.0073 0.0114
10.00 to 12.60 0.0013 0.0020 0.0032 0.0051 0.0083 0.0126
12.60 to 16.00 0.0014 0.0022 0.0035 0.0055 0.0091 0.0 142
Table A–13
5
 Deviations
• Deviation is the algebraic difference between a size and the basic size.
• Upper deviation is the algebraic difference between the maximum limit and the basic size.
• Lower deviation is the algebraic difference between the minimum limit and the basic size.
• Fundamental deviation is either the upper or lower deviation that is closer to the basic size.
• Letter codes are used to designate a similar level of clearance or interference for different
basic sizes.
 Hole:
• The standard is a hole based standard, so letter code H is always used for the hole.
o Lower deviation = 0 (Therefore Dmin = D).
o Upper deviation = tolerance grade.

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 Fundamental Deviation Letter Codes
 Shafts with clearance fits, dF <0
o Letter codes c, d, f, g, and h.
o Upper deviation = fundamental deviation.
o Lower deviation = upper deviation – tolerance grade.

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Fundamental Deviation Letter Codes
Shafts with transition or interference fit, dF >0
• Letter codes k, n, p, s, and u.
• Lower deviation = fundamental deviation.
• Upper deviation = lower deviation + tolerance grade.
.

8
Fundamental Deviations – Metric series

Upper-Deviation Letter Lower-Deviation Letter

Basic
Sizes c d f g h k n p s u

0 to 3 −0.060 −0.020 −0.006 −0.002 0 0 +0.004 +0.006 +0.014 +0.018

3 to 6 −0.070 −0.030 −0.010 −0.004 0 +0.001 +0.008 +0.012 +0.019 +0.023
6 to 10 −0.080 −0.040 −0.013 −0.005 0 +0.001 +0.010 +0.015 +0.023 +0.028
10 to 14 −0.095 − 0.050 − 0.016 −0.006 0 +0.001 +0.012 +0.018 +0.028 +0.033
14 to 18 −0.095 −0.050 −0.016 −0.006 0 +0.001 +0.012 +0.018 +0.028 +0.033
18 to 24 −0.110 − 0.065 − 0.020 −0.007 0 +0.002 +0.015 +0.022 +0.035 +0.041
24 to 30 −0.110 −0.065 − 0.020 −0.007 0 +0.002 +0.015 +0.022 +0.035 +0.048
30 to 40 −0.120 −0.080 −0.025 −0.009 0 +0.002 +0.017 +0.026 +0.043 +o.060
40 to 50 −0.130 −0.080 −0.025 −0.009 0 +0.002 +0.017 +0.026 +0.043 +0.070
50 to 65 −0.140 −0.100 −0.030 −0.010 0 +0.002 +0.020 +0.032 +0.053 +0.087
65 to 80 − 0.150 − 0.100 − 0.030 −0.010 0 +0.002 +0.020 +0.032 +0.059 +0.102
80 to 100 − 0.170 − 0.120 −0.036 −0.012 0 +0.003 +0.023 +0.037 +0.071 +0.124
100 to 120 − 0.180 −0.120 − 0.036 −0.012 0 +0.003 +0.023 +0.037 +0.079 +0.144
120 to 140 −0.200 −0.145 −0.043 −0.014 0 +0.003 +0.027 +0.043 +0.092 +0.170
140 to 160 −0.210 −0.145 −0.043 −0.014 0 +0.003 +0.027 +0.043 +0.100 +0.190
160 to 180 −0.230 −0.145 −0.043 −0.014 0 +0.003 +0.027 +0.043 +0.108 +0.210
180 to 200 −0.240 − 0.170 − 0.050 −0.015 0 +0.004 +0.031 +0.050 +0.122 +0.236
200 to 225 − 0.260 − 0.170 −0.050 −0.015 0 +0.004 +0.031 +0.050 +0.130 +0.258
225 to 250 − 0.280 −0.170 −0.050 −0.015 0 +0.004 +0.031 +0.050 +0.140 +0.284
250 to 280 −0.300 − 0.190 −0.056 −0.017 0 +0.004 +0.034 +0.056 +0.158 +0.315
280 to 315 −0.330 −0.190 −0.056 −0.017 0 +0.004 +0.034 +0.056 +0.170 +0.350
315 to 355 −0.360 −0.210 −0.062 −0.018 0 +0.004 +0.037 +0.062 +0.190 +0.390
355 to 400 −0.400 −0.210 −0.062 −0.018 0 +0.004 +0.037 +0.062 +0.208 +0.435

Table A–12
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Fundamental Deviations – Inch series

Upper-Deviation Letter Lower-Deviation Letter

Basic
Sizes c d f g h k n p s u

0 to 0.12 − 0.0024 −0.0008 −0.0002 − 0.0001 0 0 +0.0002 +0.0002 +0.0006 +0.0007

0.12 to 0.24 − 0.0028 −0.0012 −0.0004 − 0.0002 0 0 +0.0003 +0.0005 +0.0007 +0.0009
0.24 to 0.40 −0.0031 − 0.0016 −0.0005 − 0.0002 0 0 +0.0004 +0.0006 +0.0009 +0.0011
0.40 to 0.72 − 0.0037 −0.0020 −0.0006 −0.0002 0 0 +0.0005 +0.0007 +0.0011 +0.0013
0.72 to 0.96 −0.0043 −0.0026 −0.0008 −0.0003 0 +0.0001 +0.0006 +0.0009 +0.0014 +0.0016
0.96 to 1.20 −0.0043 −0.0026 −0.0008 −0.0003 0 +0.0001 +0.0006 +0.0009 +0.0014 + 0.0019
1.20 to 1.60 − 0.0047 −0.0031 −0.0010 − 0.0004 0 +0.0001 +0.0007 + 0.0010 + 0.0017 + 0.0024
1.60 to 2.00 − 0.0051 − 0.0031 −0.0010 − 0.0004 0 +0.0001 +0.0007 + 0.0010 + 0.0017 + 0.0028
2.00 to 2.60 − 0.0055 − 0.0039 −0.0012 − 0.0004 0 +0.0001 + 0.0008 + 0.0013 + 0.0021 +0.0034
2.60 to 3.20 −0.0059 − 0.0039 −0.0012 −0.0004 0 +0.0001 + 0.0008 + 0.0013 + 0.0023 +0.0040
3.20 to 4.00 − 0.0067 − 0.0047 − 0.0014 −0.0005 0 +0.0001 + 0.0009 + 0.0015 + 0.0028 +0.0049
4.00 to 4.80 −0.0071 −0.0047 −0.0014 −0.0005 0 +0.0001 + 0.0009 + 0.0015 + 0.0031 +0.0057
4.80 to 5.60 −0.0079 −0.0057 − 0.0017 − 0.0006 0 +0.0001 + 0.0011 + 0.0017 + 0.0036 +0.0067
5.60 to 6.40 −0.0083 −0.0057 − 0.0017 − 0.0006 0 +0.0001 + 0.0011 + 0.0017 +0.0039 +0.0075
6.40 to 7.20 −0.0091 −0.0057 −0.0017 −0.0006 0 +0.0001 + 0.0011 + 0.0017 +0.0043 +0.0083
7.20 to 8.00 −0.0094 −0.0067 −0.0020 − 0.0006 0 +0.0002 +0.0012 +0.0020 +0.0048 +0.0093
8.00 to 9.00 −0.0102 −0.0067 −0.0020 − 0.0006 0 +0.0002 +0.0012 +0.0020 +0.0051 +0.0102
9.00 to 10.00 −0.0110 −0.0067 −0.0020 − 0.0006 0 +0.0002 +0.0012 +0.0020 +0.0055 + 0.0112
10.00 to 11.20 −0.0118 −0.0075 −0.0022 − 0.0007 0 +0.0002 +0.0013 +0.0022 +0.0062 + 0.0124
11.20 to 12.60 −0.0130 −0.0075 −0.0022 −0.0007 0 +0.0002 +0.0013 +0.0022 +0.0067 +0.0130
12.60 to 14.20 −0.0142 −0.0083 −0.0024 − 0.0007 0 +0.0002 + 0.0015 + 0.0024 +0.0075 +0.0154
14.20 to 16.00 − 0.0157 −0.0083 −0.0024 −0.0007 0 +0.0002 + 0.0015 + 0.0024 +0.0082 +0.0171

Table A–14
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Specification of Fit
A particular fit is specified by giving the basic size followed by letter
code and IT grades for hole and shaft.
For example, a sliding fit of a nominally 32 mm diameter shaft and hub
would be specified as 32H7/g6.
This indicates.
• 32 mm basic size.
• hole with IT grade of 7 (look up tolerance ΔD in Table A–11).
• shaft with fundamental deviation specified by letter code g (look up
fundamental deviation δF in Table A–12).
• shaft with IT grade of 6 (look up tolerance Δd in Table A–11).
Appropriate letter codes and IT grades for common fits are given in Table
7–9.

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Description of Preferred Fits (Clearance)
Table 7–9
Type of Fit Description Symbol
Clearance Loose running fit: for wide commercial tolerances H11/c11
or allowances on external members ( Fit with the largest
clearance, Suitable for applications where accuracy is not
of the utmost importance)
Free running fit: not for use where accuracy is essential, H9/d9
but good for large temperature variations, high running
speeds, or heavy journal pressures
Close running fit: for running on accurate machines and H8/f7
for accurate location at moderate speeds and journal
pressures
Sliding fit: Leaves a small clearance for high accuracy H7/g6
while maintaining ease of assembly. Parts will turn and
slide quite freely.
Locational clearance fit: provides minimal clearance for H7/h6
high accuracy requirements. The assembly does not need
any force and the mating parts can turn and slide freely
with lubrication.
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Description of Preferred Fits (Transition & Interference)

Type of Fit Description Symbol

Transition Locational transition fit: for accurate location, a H7/k6
compromise between clearance and interference
Locational transition fit: for more accurate location H7/n6
where greater interference is permissible
Interference Locational interference fit: for parts requiring rigidity H7/p6
and alignment with prime accuracy of location but
without special bore pressure requirements
Medium drive fit: for ordinary steel parts or shrink fits on H7/s6
light sections, the tightest fit usable with cast iron
Force fit: suitable for parts that can be highly stressed or H7/u6
for shrink fits where the heavy pressing forces required
are impractical

Table 7–9

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Example 7–7

Find the shaft and hole dimensions for a loose running fit with a 34-mm basic
size.
Solution
From Table 7–9, the ISO symbol is 34H11∕c11. From Table A–11, we find that
tolerance grade IT11 is 0.160 mm. The symbol 34H11∕c11 therefore says that ΔD
= Δd = 0.160 mm. Using Equation (7–36) for the hole, we get
Answer Dmax = D + ΔD = 34 + 0.160 = 34.160 mm
Answer Dmin = D = 34.000 mm
The shaft is designated as a 34c11 shaft. From Table A–12, the fundamental
deviation is δF = −0.120 mm. Using Equation (7–37), we get for the shaft
dimensions
Answer d max  d  d F  34   0.120  33.880 mm

Answer d min  d  d F  Dd  34   0.120  0.160  33.720 mm

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Example 7–8

Find the hole and shaft limits for a medium drive fit using a basic hole size of 2 in.
Solution
The symbol for the fit, from Table 7–8, in inch units is (2 in)H7∕s6. For the hole,
we use Table A–13 and find the IT7 grade to be ΔD = 0.0010 in. Thus, from
Equation (7–36),
Answer Dmax = D + ΔD = 2 + 0.0010 = 2.0010 in
Answer Dmin = D = 2.0000 in
The IT6 tolerance for the shaft is Δd = 0.0006 in. Also, from Table A–14, the
fundamental deviation is δF = 0.0017 in. Using Equation (7–38), we get for the
shaft that
Answer d min  d  d F  2  0.0017  2.0017 in

Answer d max  d  d F  Dd  2  0.0017  0.0006  2.0023 in

15
Stress in Interference Fits 1

Interference fit generates pressure at interface.

Need to ensure stresses are acceptable.
Treat shaft as cylinder with uniform external pressure.
Treat hub as hollow cylinder with uniform internal pressure.

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Stress in Interference Fits 2
• The pressure at the interface, converted into terms of diameters,
d
p (7 - 39)
d  d o2  d 2  d  d 2  di2 
  vo    2  vi 
Eo  d o2  d 2  Ei  d  d i
2

d is the nominal shaft diameter, di the inside diameter of the shaft (if any), do is the outside
diameter of the outer member (hub), the subscripts o and i for the outer member (hub) and
inner member (shaft) respectively.
• If both members are of the same material,

p 3

Ed  d o  d d  di
2 2

2 2
  (7 - 40)
2d  d o2  di2 

δ is diametral interference.
d  dshaft  d hub (7 - 41)
Taking into account the tolerances,
d min  d min  Dmax (7 - 42)
d max  d max  Dmin (7 - 43)
17
Stress in Interference Fits 3

the tangential stresses at the interface are

d 2  di2
 t ,shaft  p 2 (7 - 44)
d  di2

d o2  d 2
 t ,hub p 2 (7 - 45)
do  d 2

The radial stresses at the interface are simply.

 r ,shaft   p (7 - 46)

 r ,hub   p (7 - 47)
The tangential and radial stresses are orthogonal and can be combined using a
failure theory.
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Torque Transmission from Interference Fit

Estimate the torque that can be transmitted through interference fit by friction analysis at
interface.

Ff  fN  f  pA  f  p 2  d 2 l    f pld (7 - 48)

T  Ff d 2   f pld  d 2

T    2 f pld 2 (7 - 49)
L is the length of the hub

Use the minimum interference to determine the minimum pressure to find the maximum
torque that the joint should be expected to transmit.

19
Problem 7-48

A cylinder with a nominal 2.5-in ID, a 4.0-in OD, and a 3.0-in length is to be mated with a
solid shaft with a nominal 2.5-in diameter. A medium drive fit is desired (as defined in Table
7–9). The cylinder and shaft are made from steel, with Sy = 100 kpsi and E = 30 Mpsi. The
coefficient of friction for the steel interface is 0.7.
(a) Specify the maximum and minimum allowable diameters for both the cylinder hole and
the shaft.
(b) Determine the torque that can be transmitted through this joint, assuming the shaft and
cylinder are both manufactured within their tolerances such that the minimum interference
is achieved.
(c) Suppose the shaft and cylinder are both manufactured within their tolerances such that the
maximum interference is achieved. Check for yielding of the cylinder at its inner radius by
finding the following:
(i) The pressure at the interface.
(ii) The tangential and radial stresses in the cylinder, at its inner radius.
(iii) The factor of safety for static yielding of the cylinder, using the distortion-energy
failure theory.

20
Solution
Basic size D = 2.5 in, L = 3 in, OD = 4 in, ID = 2.5 in, f = 0.7.

(a) Table 7-9: medium drive fit  H7/S6

Table A-13: DD = 0.0012 in, Dd = 0.0007 in
Table A-14: dF = 0.0021 in
Dmax = D + DD = 2.5 + 0.0012 = 2.5012 in

Dmin = D = 2.5000 in

dmax = d +dF + Dd = 2.5 + 0.0021 + 0.0007 = 2.5028 in

dmin = d +dF = 2.5 + 0.0021 = 2.5021 in

(b) dmin = dmin  Dmax = 2.5021  2.5012 = 0.0009 in

Ed
p 3
  d 2
o  d 2
 d 2
 d i
2
 

30 10 6
 0.0009 

 4 2
 2.5 2
 2.5 2
 0 2
 
  3291 psi
do2  di2 2  2.5  
3 2 2
2d    4 0 


21
(c) dmax = dmax  Dmin = 2.5028  2.5 = 0.0028 in

      1 2    2 1/2
2 2 1/2
  23.4  23.4  10.2    10.2  
2
 29.8 kpsi
1 2  

22