Geometric Dimensioning

& Tolerancing (GD&T)

Three Categories of
Dimensioning
 Dimensioning can be divided into three categories:
 general dimensioning,
 geometric dimensioning, and
 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

Assume all 4 legs will be

cut to length at the same
time.
 Given Table Height

 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.

 You 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.
LIMITS OF SIZE

SIZE DIMENSION

WHAT DOES
THIS MEAN?

2.007
2.003
LIMITS OF SIZE

 A variation in form is allowed between the least

material condition (LMC) and the maximum material
condition (MMC).
SIZE DIMENSION
ENVELOPE PRINCIPLE

MMC
(2.007)

LMC
(2.003)

ENVELOPE OF SIZE
Envelop Principle defines the
size and form relationships
between mating parts.
LIMITS OF SIZE
ENVELOPE PRINCIPLE

LMC
CLEARANCE

MMC
ALLOWANCE
LIMITS OF SIZE

 The actual size of the feature at any cross section must

be within the size boundary.
ØMMC
ØLMC
LIMITS OF SIZE

 No portion of the feature may be outside a perfect form

barrier at maximum material condition (MMC).
Other Factors
I.E. Parallel Line Tolerance Zones

PARALLEL LINES PARALLEL LINES PARALLEL LINES

PARALLEL PLANES PARALLEL PLANES PARALLEL PLANES

PARALLEL PLANES PARALLEL PLANES CYLINDER ZONE

 GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC CONTROLS
14 characteristics that may be controlled

TYPE OF TYPE OF
CHARACTERISTIC SYMBOL
FEATURE TOLERANCE

FLATNESS
INDIVIDUAL STRAIGHTNESS
(No Datum FORM
Reference) CIRCULARITY

CYLINDRICITY

INDIVIDUAL LINE PROFILE

or RELATED PROFILE
FEATURES SURFACE PROFILE

PERPENDICULARITY

ORIENTATION ANGULARITY

PARALLELISM
RELATED
FEATURES CIRCULAR RUNOUT
(Datum RUNOUT
Reference TOTAL RUNOUT
Required)
CONCENTRICITY

LOCATION POSITION

SYMMETRY
Characteristics & Symbols
cont’d.

 Maximum Material Condition MMC

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

 Feature Control Frame

Feature Control Frame
FEATURE CONTROL FRAME

GEOMETRIC SYMBOL
TOLERANCE INFORMATION
DATUM REFERENCES
COMPARTMENT VARIABLES

THE

RELATIVE TO
OF THE FEATURE
MUST BE WITHIN
CONNECTING WORDS
 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.
Placement of Feature Control
Frames
May be attached to a side, end or
corner of the symbol box to an
extension line.

Applied to surface.

Applied to axis
Placement of Feature Control
FramesCont’d.

May be below or closely adjacent

to the dimension or note
pertaining to that feature.

Ø .500±.005
Form Features

 Individual Features
 No Datum Reference

Flatness Straightness

Circularity Cylindricity
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.
Placement of Datums
 Feature sizes, such as holes
A Ø .500±.005

 Sometimes a feature has a GD&T and

is also a datum

Ø .500±.005
Example Datums

 Datums must be perpendicular to each other

 Primary

 Secondary

 Tertiary Datum
Primary Datum
Secondary & Tertiary Datums

 All dimension may not be capable to reference from the

primary datum to ensure functional relationships,
accessibility, and repeatability.
 Secondary Datum
 Secondary datums are produced perpendicular to the
primary datum so measurements can be referenced from
them.

 Tertiary Datum
 This datum is always perpendicular to both the primary
and secondary datums ensuring a fixed position from three
related parts.
Secondary Datum
Tertiary Datum
Orientation Tolerances

 Perpendicularity
 Angularity
 Parallelism

Controls the orientation of

individual features
Datums are required
Shape of tolerance zone: 2 parallel
lines, 2 parallel planes, and
cylindrical
PERPENDICULARITY:

 is the condition of a surface, center plane, or axis at a right angle (90°) to a datum
plane or axis.
Ex:

The perpendicularity of
this surface must be
within a .005 tolerance
zone relative to datum A.

The tolerance zone is the

space between the 2
parallel lines. They are
perpendicular to the
datum plane and spaced
.005 apart.
PERPENDICULARITY Cont’d.

 Location of hole (axis)

This means ‘the hole

(axis) must be
perpendicular within a
diametrical tolerance
zone of .010 relative to
datum A’
ANGULARITY:
 is the condition of a surface, axis, or median plane which is at a specific angle
(other than 90°) from a datum plane or axis.

The surface is at a
45º angle with a
.005 tolerance zone
relative to datum A.

 Can be applied to an axis at MMC.

 Typically must have a basic dimension.
PARALLELISM:
 The condition of a surface or center plane equidistant at all points
from a datum plane, or an axis.
 The distance between the parallel lines, or surfaces, is specified by
the geometric tolerance.

±0.01
Material Conditions

 Maximum Material Condition (MMC)

 Least Material Condition (LMC)
 Regardless of Feature Size(RFS)
Maximum Material Condition

 MMC
 This is when part will weigh the most.
 MMC for a shaft is the largest allowable size.
 MMC of Ø0.240±.005?
 MMC for a hole is the smallest allowable size.
 MMC of Ø0.250±.005?
 Permits greater possible tolerance as the part
feature sizes vary from their calculated MMC
 Ensures interchangeability
 Used
 With interrelated features with respect to location
 Size, such as, hole, slot, pin, etc.
Least Material Condition

 LMC
 This is when part will weigh the least.
 LMC for a shaft is the smallest allowable size.
 LMC of Ø0.240±.005?

 LMC for a hole is the largest allowable size.

 LMC of Ø0.250±.005?
Regardless of Feature Size

 RFS
 Requires that the condition of the material NOT be
considered.
 This is used when the size feature does not affect the
specified tolerance.
 Valid only when applied to features of size, such as
holes, slots, pins, etc., with an axis or center plane.