ME-102

Engineering Graphics

Lecture # 13

Geometric Tolerances

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences &
Technology
Geometric Tolerance
 No component can practically be manufactured to exact
dimensions (sizes).
 Tolerances are used to control the variation that exists on all
manufactured parts.
 It is the amount, each part is allowed to vary depending upon
the function of the part and assembly.
 Toleranced dimensions control the amount of variation on
each part of an assembly.
 When different parts are assembled, they must fit together
and function correctly.
 Tolerancing / Interchangeability
 Tolerancing is dimensioning for
interchangeability.

 What is interchangeability?
An interchangeable part is simply a mass
produced part (a replacement part).

Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg

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 Tolerancing / Interchangeability
 How is a feature on an interchangeable
part dimensioned?
SIZE DIMENSION
The feature is
not dimensioned
using a single
value,
but a range of values. WHAT DOES
THIS MEAN?

2.007
2.003
Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg
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 Tolerancing / Interchangeability
 A tolerance is the amount of size
variation permitted.
→ You can choose a tolerance that specifies a
large or small variation.

1.005
Size limits =
0.994

Tolerance = 1.005 - .994 = .011

Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg

Restricted use only
 Tolerancing / Interchangeability
 Why do we want a part’s size to be
controlled by two limits?
It is necessary because it is impossible to
manufacture parts without some variation.

The stated limits are a form of quality control.

Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg

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 Tolerancing / Interchangeability
 Choosing a tolerance for your design.

→ Specify a tolerance with whatever degree of

accuracy that is required for the design to
work properly.

→ Choose a tolerance that is not unnecessarily

accurate or excessively inaccurate.

Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg

Restricted use only
 Tolerancing Standards
 The two most common standards
agencies are;

→ American National Standards Institute

(ANSI) / (ASME)

→ International Standards Organization (ISO).

Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg

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Important Terms
 Basic Size (Nominal Size): The theoretical size used as a
starting point for the application of tolerance. Or nominal
dimension from which tolerances are derived.
 Actual Size: The measured size of the finished part after
machining.
 Limits: The maximum and minimum sizes shown by the
tolerance dimension.
 Allowance: The minimum clearance or maximum
interference between parts, or the tightest fit b/w two mating
parts.
Important Terms
Maximum material condition (MMC):
The condition of the part when it contains the greatest amount
of material.
The MMC of an external feature (such as shaft), is the upper
limit.
The MMC of an internal feature (such as a hole), is the lower
limit.

Least material condition (LMC):

The condition of a part when it contains the least amount of
material possible.
The LMC of an external feature is the lower limit.
The LMC of an internal feature, is the upper limit.
 Tolerance Representation Types
 The tolerancing methods to present
tolerances are:

→Limit dimensions
→Plus or minus tolerances
→Page or block tolerances

Copyright ©2010 by K. Plantenberg

Restricted use only
Tolerancing Methods
a) Limit dimensioning

b) Plus minus Tolerance

• Bilateral Tolerance
• Unilateral Tolerance
Bilateral Tolerance
A bilateral tolerance varies in both direction from the basic size.
If the variation is equal in both direction, then the variation is
preceded by ± symbol.
The ± approach is used when the two variations are equal.
Unilateral Tolerance
When the tolerance value is specified in only one direction from
the basic size it is known as unilateral tolerance.
Other Approaches
Tolerance specified
in a tabulated
manner.

Tolerance can be specified in

a general way to cover for a
wide range of dimensions
Types of Fits Clearance fits - allowance
always positive
The degree of tightness between
mating parts is called fit.

Clearance Fit (Sliding Fit):

In which the shaft is always smaller than
the hole into which it fits. A clearance fit
always has a gap between the two
mating parts.
Interference fits - allowance
always negative,
Interference Fit:
In which the shaft is always bigger than
the hole into which it fits. Interference fits
always overlap and are used mainly for
press fits where the two parts are
pushed together, and require no other
fasteners.
Types of Fits….
Transition Fit:
• In which the shaft may be either bigger or smaller than the
hole into which it fits – it will therefore be possible to get
interference or clearance fits in one group of assemblies.
• A transition fit exist when the maximum clearance is positive
and the minimum clearance is negative
• Transition fits are used only for locating a shaft relative to a
hole, where accuracy is important but either a clearance or
an interference is permitted.

Transition fit—allowance may

be positive or negative
Examples
• From everyday life, some examples of clearance,
interference and transition fits.
Fit Example
Clearance Lock and Key
Door and Door frame
Coin and Coin slot
Interference Pin in a bicycle chain
Hinge pin
Wooden peg and hammer toy
Transition Piston and cylinder
Bearing Assembly
Determining Fits
The loosest fit is the difference
between the smallest feature A and
the largest feature B.

The tightest fit is the difference

b/w the largest feature A and the
smallest feature B.
Systems for Fits and Limits
The two bases for a system of limits and fits:
(a) The hole basis
(b) The shaft basis

Hole Basis: Shaft Basis:

• Hole diameter constant. • Hole diameter varies.
• Shaft diameter varies. • Shaft diameter constant.
• Economical as only a single drill • Tends to be costly, as more
will be used then one drill is required.
Basic Hole / Basic Shaft Systems
• Basic hole system: The basic hole system is used when
you want the basic size to be attached to the hole dimension.

– For example, if you want to tolerance a shaft based on a

hole produced by a standard drill, reamer, broach, or
another standard tool.

• Basic shaft system: The basic shaft system is used

when you want the basic size to be attached to the shaft
dimension.

– For example, if you want to tolerance a hole based on the

size of a purchased a standard drill rod.
Metric Tolerances
• Upper deviation: The upper deviation is the difference
between the basic size and the permitted maximum size of
the part.

 UD = |Basic size – Dmax|

• Lower deviation: The lower deviation is the difference

between the basic size and the minimum permitted size of
the part.

 LD = |Basic size – Dmin|

Tolerance Designation
• Fits are specified by using the:
– fundamental deviation (letter)
– IT# (International Tolerance Grade #).
• When specifying the fit:
– The hole = upper case letter
– The shaft = lower case letter
Available Metric Fits

Hole Basis Shaft Basis Fit

H11/c11 C11/h11 Loose running
H9/d9 D9/h9 Free running
H8/f7 F8/h7 Close running
H7/g6 G7/h6 Sliding
H7/h6 H7/h6 Locational clearance
H7/k6 or K7/h6 or Locational transition
H7/n6 N7/h6
H7/p6 P7/h6 Locational interference
H7/s6 S7/h6 Medium drive
H7/u6 U7/h6 Force
 QUIZ No. 2
Next Week,
Date and Time will be communicated
through COE office
Lecture 10, 11, 12 & Lab
Sessions
Thank you….
Geometric Tolerance
 Tolerances are used to
control the variation
that exists on all
manufactured parts.
 Toleranced dimensions
control the amount of
variation on each part
of an assembly.
Feature of Control Frame
Feature of Control Frame