Geometric

Geometric Dimensioning
Dimensioning and
and
Tolerancing
Tolerancing (GD&T)
(GD&T)

MANAGEMENT

DESIGN
CUSTOMERS VENDORS

SALES PRICING
TOOLING
PURCHASING PLANNING
PRODUCTION
SERVICE ROUTING
INSPECTION

ASSEMBLY

PART PRODUCTION COMMUNICATION MODEL

 Three
Three Categories
Categories of
of
Dimensioning
Dimensioning
Dimensioning can be divided into three categories:
1. General dimensioning
2. Geometric dimensioning
3. Surface texture

The following provides information necessary to

begin to understand geometric dimensioning and
tolerancing (GD&T)
 Geometric Dimensioning &
Tolerancing (GD&T)

• GD&T is a means of dimensioning & tolerancing

a drawing which considers the function of the
part and how this part functions with related
parts.
– This allows a drawing to contain a more defined
feature more accurately, without increasing
tolerances.
 GD&T cont’d
• GD&T has increased in practice in last 15 years
because of ISO 9000.
– ISO 9000 requires not only that something be required, but
how it is to be controlled. For example, how round does a
round feature have to be?
• GD&T is a system that uses standard symbols to
indicate tolerances that are based on the
feature’s geometry.
– Sometimes called feature based dimensioning &
tolerancing or true position dimensioning &
tolerancing
• GD&T practices are specified in ANSI Y14.5M-
1994.
 For Example
• Given Table Height
Assume all 4 legs will be cut to
length at the same time.

• However, all surfaces have a degree of waviness, or smoothness. For

example, the surface of a 2 x 4 is much wavier (rough) than the surface of a
piece of glass.
– As the table height is dimensioned, the following table would pass inspection.

or

• If top must be flatter, you could tighten the tolerance to ±

1/32.
– However, now the height is restricted to 26.97 to 27.03 meaning good
tables would be rejected.
 Example cont’d.
• It can have both, by using GD&T.
– The table height may any height between 26 and
28 inches.
– The table top must be flat within 1/16. (±1/32)

.06
.06
.06

28
27
26
 WHY IS GD&T IMPORTANT
• Saves money
– For example, if large number of parts are being
made – GD&T can reduce or eliminate
inspection of some features.
– Provides “bonus” tolerance
• Ensures design, dimension, and tolerance
requirements as they relate to the actual function
• Ensures interchangeability of mating parts at the
assembly
• Provides uniformity
• It is a universal understanding of the symbols
instead of words
 WHEN TO USE GD&T
• When part features are critical to a function or
interchangeability
• When functional gaging is desirable
• When datum references are desirable to ensure
consistency between design
• When standard interpretation or tolerance is not
already implied
• When it allows a better choice of machining
processes to be made for production of a part
 TERMINOLOGY REVIEW
• Maximum Material Condition (MMC): The condition
where a size feature contains the maximum amount of
material within the stated limits of size. I.e., largest shaft
and smallest hole.
• Least Material Condition (LMC): The condition where a
size feature contains the least amount of material within
the stated limits of size. I.e., smallest shaft and largest
hole.
• Tolerance: Difference between MMC and LMC limits of a
single dimension.
• Allowance: Difference between the MMC of two mating
parts. (Minimum clearance and maximum interference)
• Basic Dimension: Nominal dimension from which
tolerances are derived.
 GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC CONTROLS
14 characteristics that may be controlled
TYPE OF TYPE OF CHARACTERISTIC SYMBOL
FEATURE TOLERANCE
FLATNESS
INDIVIDUAL (No STRAIGHTNESS
Datum FORM
Reference) CIRCULARITY
CYLINDRICITY
INDIVIDUAL or LINE PROFILE
RELATED PROFILE
SURFACE PROFILE
FEATURES
PERPENDICULARITY
ORIENTATION ANGULARITY
PARALLELISM
RELATED
FEATURES CIRCULAR RUNOUT
RUNOUT
(Datum TOTAL RUNOUT
Reference
Required) CONCENTRICITY
LOCATION POSITION
SYMMETRY
 Characteristics & Symbols cont’d.

– Maximum Material Condition MMC

– Regardless of Feature Size RFS
– Least Material Condition LMC
– Projected Tolerance Zone
– Diametrical (Cylindrical) Tolerance Zone or Feature
– Basic, or Exact, Dimension
– Datum Feature Symbol

– Feature Control Frame

 Feature Control Frame
• Uses feature control frames to indicate tolerance

• Reads as: The position of the feature must be within a .

003 diametrical tolerance zone at maximum material
condition relative to datums A, B, and C.
 Feature Control Frame
• Uses feature control frames to indicate tolerance

• Reads as: The position of the feature must be within a .

003 diametrical tolerance zone at maximum material
condition relative to datums A at maximum material
condition and B.
Feature Control Frame
 Placement of Feature Control
Frames Cont’d.

 May be below or closely adjacent to the

dimension or note pertaining to that feature.

Ø .500±.005
 Basic Dimension
• A theoretically exact size, profile, orientation, or
location of a feature or datum target, therefore, a basic
dimension is untoleranced.
• Most often used with position, angularity, and profile)
• Basic dimensions have a rectangle surrounding it.

1.000
Basic Dimension cont’d.
 Form Features Examples
Flatness as stated on drawing: The
flatness of the feature must be within .06
tolerance zone.

Straightness applied to a flat surface: The straightness of the

feature must be within .003 tolerance zone.
.003

0.500 ±.005

.003
0.500 ±.005
 Form Features Examples
Straightness applied to the surface of a diameter: The
straightness of the feature must be within .003 tolerance zone.

.003

 0.500
0.505

Straightness of an Axis at MMC: The derived median line

straightness of the feature must be within a diametric zone of .030 at
MMC.
 0.500
0.505  .030 M

1.010
0.990
Features that Require Datum Reference

• Orientation
– Perpendicularity
– Angularity
– Parallelism
• Runout
– Circular Runout
– Total Runout
• Location
– Position
– Concentricity
– Symmetry
 Datum
• Datums are features (points, axis, and planes) on the object that
are used as reference surfaces from which other measurements
are made. Used in designing, tooling, manufacturing, inspecting,
and assembling components and sub-assemblies.
– As you know, not every GD&T feature requires a datum, i.e., Flat

1.000
 Datums cont’d.

• Features are identified with respect to a

datum.
• Always start with the letter A
• Do not use letters I, O, or Q
• May use double letters AA, BB, etc.
• This information is located in the feature
control frame.

• Datums on a drawing of a part are

represented using the symbol shown below.
 TWELVE
TWELVE DEGREES
DEGREES OF
OF FREEDOM
FREEDOM (DoFs)
(DoFs)

UP

LEFT BACK
6 LINEAR AND
6 ROTATIONAL
DoFs

FRONT RIGHT

DOWN UNRESTRICTED FREE

MOVEMENT IN SPACE
 Location Tolerances

– Position
– Concentricity
– Symmetry
 Position Tolerance
1. A position tolerance is the total permissible
variation in the location of a feature about its exact
true position.
2. For cylindrical features, the position tolerance zone
is typically a cylinder within which the axis of the
feature must lie.
3. The position tolerance is typically associated with
the size tolerance of the feature.
4. Datums are required.
 Coordinate System Position
• Consider the following hole dimensioned with coordinate dimensions:

• The tolerance zone for the location of the hole is as follows:

.750
2.000

• Several Problems:
– Two points, equidistant from true position may not be accepted.
– Total tolerance diagonally is .014, which may be more than was intended.
 Coordinate System Position
• Consider the following hole dimensioned with coordinate dimensions:

• The tolerance zone for the location (axis) of the hole is as follows:

Center can be
anywhere along the
diagonal line.

.750
2.000

• Several Problems:
– Two points, equidistant from true position may not be accepted.
– Total tolerance diagonally is .014, which may be more than was intended. (1.4 Xs >,
1.4*.010=.014)
 Position Tolerancing
• Consider the same hole, but add GD&T:

• Now, overall tolerance zone is:

MMC =
.500 - .003 = .497

• The actual center of the hole (axis) must lie in the round tolerance
zone. The same tolerance is applied, regardless of the direction.