Dimensioning: Introduction: The Main Aim of Drawing Is To Represent The Correct Size of The Object To Be

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Dimensioning

Introduction: The main aim of drawing is to represent the correct size of the object to be
manufactured or constructed. It is, therefore, necessary that the drawing must carry the
proper dimensions and other information of the various part of the object. The correct
dimensioning facilitates the technician in manufacturing the part, whereas, the wrong
dimensioning may cause confusion and lead to a great loss of time, labour and material.
Therefore, dimensions should be done in such a way which is located simply and easily
understood by the technician.

Dimension:

A dimension is for size and position (of the designed/ modeled shape).
OR
A dimension is a numerical value expressed in appropriate units of measurement
and used to define the size, location, orientation, form or other geometric
characteristics of a part.
OR
The art of writing the various sizes or measurements on the finished drawing of
an object is known as dimensioning.

Dimensioning expresses all the sizes and other information necessary to define
the object completely. It must be done with due regard to manufacturing
processes and inspection requirements.

Notation of Dimensioning

The notation of dimensioning consists of dimension lines, extension lines, arrow heads,
dimension figures, notes, symbols, etc. These notations are explained below:

1. Dimension Line

Dimension line is a thin continuous line used to indicate the measurement of an object. It
is shown by figure in a space above the dimension line or space left in the dimension line.

2. Extension line

Extension line is also a thin continuous line extending beyond the outline of the object. It
should extend about 3 mm beyond the dimension line.

3. Arrow head

Arrow heads are used to terminate dimension lines. These touch the extension lines and
indicate the extent of a dimension. The length of an arrow-head is about three times its
width. The space in the arrow-heads should be filled in.

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1. Dimension figure

A numeral that indicates the size of a particular feature of an object is called


dimension figure.

6. Leader (Pointer line)

A leader is a thin continuous line drawn from note of the figure to show where it applies.
It is terminated by an arrow-head or a dot. The arrow-head touches the outline, whereas
the dot is placed within the outline of the object.

The leader is generally drawn at any convenient angle, usually 30, 45 and 60 degree but
of not less than 30 degree.

7. Notes

A note on drawing gives complete information regarding specific operation relating to a


feature. It is generally placed outside a view and read in such a way that the drawing is
viewed from the bottom edge.

8. Symbol

A symbol is the representation of any object by some mark on the drawing.

See Fig. 1 for terminology of dimensioning

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Fig. 1 Terminology for dimensioning

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Theory of Dimensioning

An object may be considered to be made up of a number of geometrical shapes such as


prism, cylinder, pyramid, cone, sphere etc. It then become very simple to dimension these
geometric forms in a manner that will show their individual sizes and location to each
other. Thus, the following two types of dimensions are commonly used in engineering
drawing.

1. Size dimension

The dimension which indicates the various sizes of the object such as length, breadth,
diameter, etc. are known as size dimensions. These dimensions are represented by the
letter S. See Fig. 2, 3

2. Location dimensions

The dimensions which locate the position of one feature with respect to the other feature
are known as location dimensions. Distances between the center lines of the holes from
the edges of features are given by location dimensions. These dimensions are marked by
letter L as shown in See Fig. 2, 3

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Fig. 2

Fig. 3

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System of Placing Dimensions

There are two methods of placing dimensions.

1.Aligned system

In this system, all dimensions are so placed that they may be read from the bottom or the
right hand edges of the drawing sheet. Here all the dimensions are placed normal and
above the dimension lines. See. Fig. 4

2. Unidirectional system

In this system, all dimensions are so placed that they maybe read from the bottom edge of
the drawing. See. Fig. 4

Fig. 4

Unit of Dimensions

As far as possible, all dimensions should be given preferably in one unit only, i.e., in
millimeters. The symbol of unit “mm” can, therefore, be omitted while writing each
dimensions but a note is added in a prominent place near the title block that “All
dimensions are in millimeters’. When the dimension is less than unity a zero should be
precede by a decimal point e.g. 0.72.

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Methods of Dimensioning

1. No dimension should be written inside a view. See. Fig. 5

Incorrect

Fig. 5

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2. All the dimensions necessary for the correct functioning of the part should be
expressed directly on the drawing.

3. Dimensions should be given on the view which shows the relevant features most
clearly. See Fig. 6

Fig. 6

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4. Dimensions marked in one view need not be repeated in another view. See. Fig. 7

Incorrect

Fig. 7

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5. Dimensions should be taken from visible outlines rather from hidden lines. See. Fig. 8

Incorrect

Fig. 8

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6. Dimensions in a series may be given on the views in anyone of the following
arrangements.

a) Chain dimensioning: In this system, dimensions are arranged in a straight line. When
overall dimension is given, one of the smaller or least important dimension is generally
omitted. See. Fig. 9

b) Parallel dimensioning: In this system, all the dimensions are given from a common
base line. The smaller dimensions are placed nearer the view and the larger further away,
so that the extension lines do not cross dimension lines. See. Fig. 9

c) Combined dimensioning: Combined dimensioning is the result of the simultaneous use


of chain and parallel dimensioning. See. Fig. 9

d) Progressive dimensioning: In this arrangement, one datum point or surface is selected


which reads as zero. All the dimensions are referred to that point or surface. See. Fig. 9

Fig. 9

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7. Avoid dimensioning over or through the object. See. Fig. 10

Incorrect

Fig. 10

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8. In general circle is dimensioned by its diameter and an arc by its radius. See. Fig. 11

Fig. 11

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9. Holes are located by their centerlines, which may be extended and used as extension
lines. See Fig. 12

Fig. 12

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10. Holes should be located and sized in the view that shows the feature as a circle. See
Fig. 13

Incorrect

Fig. 13

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11. Do not cross a dimension line with an extension line, and avoid crossing dimensions
with leader lines. See. Fig. 14

. Fig. 14

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12. Leader lines point toward the center of the feature, and should not occur horizontally
or vertically. See. Fig. 15

Dimension Ba

Fig. 15

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13. Dimensioning in General

14. Dimensioning - Cylindrical

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15. Dimensioning – Angles

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16. Dimensioning Curves

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