Tolerances. Section 8 ANSI H35.2
Tolerances. Section 8 ANSI H35.2
Tolerances. Section 8 ANSI H35.2
2
American National Standard Dimensional Tolerances for Aluminum Mill
Products 2013.
This covers the tolerances for sheet and plate, fin stock, foil, wire, rod,
and bar, tube and pipe, forgings, forging stock, and electrical conductors.
Section Tolerances
8
How straight is straight enough? How flat is flat
enough? How uniform must a wall thickness be
in order to be acceptable? These are not
abstract questions. Many products must be
manufactured to exacting standards.
The specified, acceptable range of deviation
from a given dimension is known as a tolerance.
UNDERSTANDING
TOLERANCES
Twist
Contour
(Curved Surfaces)
Corner & Fillet
Radii
Angularity
Flatness
B
A B
B A B
Mean At any one point
A A B B
A
B
Wall thickness
B B
A A
A A
A A
A
A
A A
8-6
than-ample degree of precision.
Section 8 Tolerances
Estimating Dimensional Tolerances by READING A STANDARD
“Rules of Thumb” TOLERANCE TABLE
Exact extrusion tolerances can be Unless otherwise specified, aluminum
determined only by careful applica- extrusions are produced to industry-
tion of standard tolerance tables and standard dimensional tolerances. To
consultation with the extruder. illustrate this important feature of
aluminum extrusions, standard toler-
Often, however, it is not necessary or ance tables are reproduced here
practical to determine exact dimen- from Aluminum Standards and Data,
tional tolerances when rough esti- 1997 and the 1997 ANSI H35.2,
mates may be adequate for initial Standard Dimensional Tolerances for
product planning and design. Aluminum Mill Products.
The following “Rules of Thumb” offer Because the two publications and
easy estimates of standard tolerances. their standards are updated from
However, it is emphasized that these time to time, the following table and
“Rules of Thumb” approximations illustrations should not be used for
provide only rough estimates. actually specifying extrusions.
Specifications should be based only
Tolerance on the latest approved tolerance
Dimension
Cross-section ± .008 per inch tables. Buyers and specifiers are
or profile encouraged to consult with their
of measured extruders on a case-by-case basis.
dimensions dimension
Cutting length
Piece parts ± .015 inches Complexity of Standard
Press parts ± .062 inches Tolerance Tables
Even a quick glance at the standard
Straightness .0125 inches x tolerance tables reveals that they are
length in very detailed and are frequently
feet qualified by footnotes and by refer-
ences to additional information.
Twist 0.5 deg. x
length in feet Reading tolerances from these tables
is a somewhat complex matter, even
Flatness 0.004 x width for dimensions across simple
in inches rectangular shapes.
Wall thickness ± 10%
A purchaser who is not thoroughly
familiar with the use of these tables
should consult the extrusion supplier
All critical dimensions should be to determine which standard
discussed between the purchaser and tolerance can be expected to apply to
extruder to determine the most critical dimensions of any specific
practical tolerances for each specific design.
application.
col. 2
Table 8-1 Standard Cross-Sectional Dimension Tolerances (Except for T3510, T4510, T6510, T73510, T76510, and T8510 Tempers) 7
1 These Standard Tolerances are applicable to the average profile 6 At points less than 0.250 inch from base of leg the tolerances in Col. 2 9 These tolerances do not apply to space dimensions such as
(shape); wider tolerances may be required for some profiles (shapes) are applicable. dimensions “X” and “Z” of the example (below), even when “Y” is
and closer tolerances may be possible for others. 75 percent or more of “X.” For the tolerance applicable to
7 Tolerances for extruded profiles in T3510, T4510, T6510, T73510, dimensions “X” and “Z” use Col. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, dependent
2 The tolerance applicable to a dimension composed of two or more T76510, and T8510 tempers shall be as agreed upon between purchaser on distance “A.”
component dimensions is the sum of the tolerances of the component and vendor at the time the contract or order is entered.
dimensions if all of the component dimensions are indicated.
8 The following tolerances apply where the space is completely enclosed Y
3t or Greater X
3 When a dimension tolerance is specified other than as an equal bilat- (hollow profiles): For the width (A), the balance is the value shown in Col. 4 Z
eral tolerance, the value of the standard tolerance is that which applies for the depth dimension (D). For the depth (D), the tolerance is the value
to the mean of the maximum and minimum dimensions permissible shown in Col. 4 for the width dimension (A). In no case is the tolerance for t
under the tolerance for the dimension under consideration. either width or depth less than the metal dimensions (Col. 2) at the corners.
A
Example—Alloy 6061 hollow profile having 1 X 3
4 Where dimensions specified are outside and inside, rather than wall rectangular outside dimensions; width tolerance
thickness itself, the allowable deviation (eccentricity) given in Column 3 is ±0.021 inch and depth tolerance ±.034 inch. 10 The wall thickness tolerance for hol-
applies to mean wall thickness. (Mean will thickness is the average of (Tolerances at corners, Col. 2, metal t low or semihollow profiles shall be as
3t or
two wall thickness measurements taken at opposite sides of the void). dimensions, are ±0.024 inch for the width and Greater agreed upon between purchaser and ven-
±0.012 inch for the depth.) Note that the Col. 4 dor at the time the contract or order is
5 In the case of Class 1 Hollow Profiles the standard wall thickness tol- tolerance of 0.021 inch must be adjusted to entered when the nominal thickness of one
erance for extruded round tube is applicable. (A Class 1 Hollow Profile 0.024 inch so that it is not less than the Col. 2 wall is three times or greater than that of
is one whose void is round and one inch or more in diameter and whose tolerance. the opposite wall.
weight is equally distributed on opposite sides of two or more equally
spaced axes.)
X (Col. 4)
Open-Space Dimensions
Tolerances applicable to dimensions
X
“X” are determined as follows:
X
on distance “A.”
Y
X
Dimensions “Y” are “metal dimen-
sions”; tolerances are determined X C
A
from column 2. Y
X
A
“A.”
3. Locate proper tolerance in col-
umn 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 in same line as
value chosen in column 1.
X
THE EXAMPLE
(F) (E) (D) (C) (B) (A)
This example supposes that the
5.900"(L)
“model extrusion” profile is to be 2.000" 2.000" 2.000" 2.000" (M) 2.000" 2.000"
produced with the nominal dimen-
sions specified on the drawing
1.600"
2.000"
• A lower horizontal leg 9" long. 0.200" (H)
(K)
0.200" (G)(TYP.) H
• An upper horizontal leg 5.9" long.
2"
All this step requires is to measure or
calculate the diameter of the profile's
“circumscribing circle”--the smallest
circle that completely encloses it. 9"
.200"
Purpose: To select the single To make this selection all you need to know is the alloy to
subcolumn that provides the be used for the extrusion.
tolerance for each metal dimension.
In the model example presented here, it is assumed that
Method: There are two subcolumns the extrusion is to be made of one of the “Other Alloys,”
each, under Columns 2 and 3, so all of its tolerances will be found in one or another of
identifying two different groups of the subcolumns under that caption.
extrusion alloys:
• “Alloys 5083, 5086, 5454” on the
left, highlighted (pg. 8-13)
• “Other Alloys” on the right.
Step 5:
Find the Wall Thickness Tolerance
for Metal That Encloses a Space
a) For each dimension that meets To find its standard tolerance, read down Column 1 to the dimension line
this criterion, read down Column 1 “0.125-0.249,” then across the Column 3 “Other Alloys,” where the toler-
to its specified dimension line; then ance is listed as ten percent, but no greater than 0.060 inch and no small-
er than 0.010 inch.
read across to the appropriate alloy
subcolumn under Column 3. The standard tolerance of dimension “H” is ten percent of 0.200 inch,
which equals ±0.020 inch and is within the allowed range.
b) Tolerances in Column 3 are given
as percentages of the specified
dimension, within fixed limits.
Calculate the appropriate percentage
to find the tolerance. If the calculat-
ed tolerance is larger or smaller than
the limits provided, the appropriate
limit becomes the tolerance.
Section 8 Tolerances 8-14
Step 6:
Find the Tolerances for All Other G M A
Metal Dimensions
L
1.600"
2.000"
0.200" (H)
(K)
0.200" (G)(TYP.) H
Method: Space dimensions are those
measurements that include less than
75 percent metal (and so more than
25 percent open space). 2.400" (J)
9.000"(I)
Their tolerances are found under At each of these positions on the model, a dimension measured across
the general heading of “Space the profile has a total length of 2 inches, which includes two metal thick-
Dimensions” on the standard nesses of 0.200 inches each. Thus, only 20 percent of the distance is
tolerance table. metal, and these are all “space dimensions.”
F E D C B
0.200" 2.000"
0.200"
Note 8
Note 6
col. 2
X (Col. 4)
Examples Illustrating Use of
the Standard Tolerance Table
X (Col. 4)
Figure 8-14 (four examples)
O S Di i
For the open space dimensions Dimension “E” Two inches 2.000 ±0.048 inch
assumed in this model example, the
tolerance differences associated with Dimension “F” Three inches 2.000 ±0.057 inch
distance from the leg are now
apparent:
B = 2.000± .034"
Outside
Dimensions
2.800
± .034"
1.600± .034"
Inside
2.400± .024"
Dimensions
Conclusion
The preceding 11-step illustration
covered only the cross-sectional
dimensioning techniques most often
employed. Even so, not every
situation is completely explained.
The nature of extrusions is so varied
that full standardization of tolerances Of the important concepts applicable to the understand-
is not a practical goal. ing of these tables, two must be emphasized.
The foregoing cross-sectional 1. Many tables indicate allowances for both unit devia-
tolerances and the linear tolerances tions and overall deviations. The purpose of this dual
to follow are guides. They apply, indication is to preclude the occurrence of a large overall
when specified, in the absence of dimensional deviation abruptly within a short distance.
specifically assigned tolerances. Unit deviation limits ensure that an allowable overall
Since the extrusion process can deviation will be appropriately dispersed.
accommodate special situations, the
extrusion user is strongly encouraged 2. The tolerances shown in each table of the following
to discuss tolerance trade-offs with lineal section are additive. That is, in a single extruded
the manufacturer or supplier. By piece, straightness tolerance is added to twist tolerance, is
allowing extra margin on some added to flatness tolerance, and so on. Twist tolerance
dimensions, a few tighter tolerances should be reviewed carefully to avoid misunderstanding.
can frequently be achieved without
significant cost effect.
Table 8-5 Flatness (Flat Surfaces)[1]—Bar, Solid Profiles & Semihollow Profiles (Shapes)
EXCEPT FOR PROFILES IN O[8] T3510, T4510, T6510, T73510, T76510 and T8510 TEMPERS[4]
SURFACE WIDTHS UP THROUGH 1INCH OR ANY 1-INCH
INCREMENT OF WIDER SURFACES
D
Maximum Allowable Deviation D = TOLERANCE (inches)
WIDTHS OVER 1-INCH
Maximum Allowable Deviation D = TOLERANCE x W (inches)
W
MINIMUM SURFACE WIDTH—inches
THICKNESS OF UP 6.000 8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000 16.000 18.000 20.000 22.000 24.000
METAL FORMING
THE SURFACE TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO AND
(inches) 5.999 7.999 9.999 11.999 13.999 15.999 17.999 19.999 21.999 23.999 UP
TOLERANCE
Up through .0124 .004 .006 .010 .014 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
0.125-0.187 .004 .006 .008 .012 .014 .014 .014 .. .. .. ..
0.188-0.249 .004 .006 .008 .010 .012 .012 .012 .014 .014 .. ..
0.250-0.374 .004 .006 .006 .008 .010 .010 .012 .012 .012 .014 ..
0.375-0.499 .004 .004 .006 .008 .008 .008 .010 .010 .010 .012 .014
0.500-0.749 .004 .004 .006 .006 .008 .008 .008 .008 .010 .010 .012
0.750-0.999 .004 .004 .006 .006 .008 .008 .008 .008 .008 .008 .010
1.000-1.499 .004 .004 .004 .006 .006 .008 .008 .008 .008 .008 .008
1.500-1.999 .004 .004 .004 .004 .006 .006 .006 .008 .008 .008 .008
2.000 and up .004 .004 .004 .004 .004 .006 .006 .006 .008 .008 .008
Excerpted from Aluminum Standards and Data (ASD), 1997, Tables 11.7 and 11.8
When two legs are involved, the one having the larg-
[7]
in 2219 alloy will have die lines about twice the depth
shown in the table; however, for each profile the
supplier should be contacted for the roughness value to
apply.
including tolerances.
SPECIFIED
DIAMETER [1] B
(inches) A B
A A
B A B
Difference between 1/2 (AA+BB) and specified diameter Difference between AA or BB and specified diameter
Column 2 Column 3
Column 1 Alloys 5083, 5086, Other Alloys [16]
Alloys 5083, 5086, Other Alloys [16]
5454 5454
0.500 - 0.999 .015 .010 .030 .020
1.000 - 1.999 .018 .012 .038 .025
2.000 - 3.999 .023 .015 .045 .030
4.000 - 5.999 .038 .025 .075 .050
6.000 - 7.999 .053 .035 .113 .075
8.000 - 9.999 .068 .045 .150 .100
10.000 -11.999 .083 .055 .188 .125
12.000 -13.999 .098 .065 .225 .150
14.000 -15.999 .113 .075 .263 .175
16.000 -17.999 .128 .085 .300 .200
Table 8-13 Width and Depth—Square, Rectangular, Hexagonal, and Octagonal Tube
EXCEPT FOR T3510,T4510, T6510, T73510, AND T8510 TEMPERS [7]
8-26
Numbered footnotes follow Table 8-24. Excerpted from Aluminum Standards and Data
(ASD), 1997, Tables 12.2 and 12.3.
Section 8 Tolerances
Table 8-14 Wall Thickness—Round Extruded Tube
TOLERANCE[1] [2]-inches plus and minus
ALLOWABLE DEVIATION OF MEAN WALL THICKNESS [5]
FROM SPECIFIED WALL THICKNESS ALLOWABLE DEVIATION OF
WALL THICKNESS AT ANY
SPECIFIED POINT FROM MEAN WALL
WALL THICKNESS [5] (Eccentricity)
A
THICKNESS [6]
(inches) A
B
B
Difference between 1/2 (AA + BB) and specified wall thickness A
OUTSIDE DIAMETER-INCHES A
Difference between AA and
Under 1.250 1.250-2.999 3.000-4.999 5.000 and over mean wall thickness
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6
Alloys Other Alloys Other Alloys Other Alloys Other All Alloys
5083 Alloys [16] 5083 5083 Alloys [16] 5083 Alloys [16]
5086 Alloys [16]
5086 5086 5086
5454 5454 5454 5454
Under 0.047 .009 .006 .. .. .. .. .. .. Plus and minus
0.047-0.061 .011 .007 .012 .008 .012 .008 .015 .010 10% of mean wall
0.062-0.077 .012 .008 .012 .008 .014 .009 .018 .012 thickness
0.078-0.124 .014 .009 .014 .009 .015 .010 .023 .015
0.125-0.249 .014 .009 .014 .009 .020 .013 .030 .020 max ± 0.060
0.250-0.374 .017 .011 .017 .011 .024 .016 .038 .025 min ± 0.010
0.375-0.499 .. .. .023 .015 .032 .021 .053 .035
0.500-0.749 .. .. .030 .020 .042 .028 .068 .045
0.750-0.999 .. .. .. .. .053 .035 .083 .055
1.000-1.499 .. .. .. .. .068 .045 .098 .065
1.500-2.000 .. .. .. .. .. .. .113 .075
2.001-2.499 .. .. .. .. .. .. .128 .085
2.500-2.999 .. .. .. .. .. .. .143 .095 ± 0.120
3.000-3.499 .. .. .. .. .. .. .158 .105
3.500-4.000 .. .. .. .. .. .. .173 .115
TABLE 8-15 Wall Thickness—Other-than-Round Extruded Tube
TOLERANCE[1] [2]-inches plus and minus
ALLOWABLE DEVIATION OF MEAN WALL THICKNESS[5] FROM SPECIFIED ALLOWABLE DEVIATION OF WALL THICKNESS[5]
SPECIFIED WALL THICKNESS (Eccentricity)
WALL
THICKNESS [6]
(inches) A A
A A B B A
A
Difference between 1/2 (AA + BB) and specified wall thickness Difference between AA and mean wall thickness
L
TEMPER SPECIFIED SPECIFIED
WIDTH THICKNESS
(inches) (inches)
Y
Y (max.) in degrees
IN TOTAL LENGTH OR IN MAXIMUM
ANY SEGMENT OF ONE FOR TOTAL
FOOT OR MORE OF TOTAL LENGTH
LENGTH
All except O, 0.500-1.499 All 1 x Measured length, feet 7
TX510, TX511[8] 1.500-2.999 All 1/2 x Measured length, feet 5
3.000 and over All 1/4 x Measured length, feet 3
TX510[8] 0.500 and over 0.095 and over [7] [7]
All except 0.500-5.999 .010 x Measured length, feet Up through 0.187 0.006 0.006 x W (inches)
O, TX510[8] 6.000 and over .020 x Measured length, feet 0.188 and over 0.004 0.004 x W (inches)
TX510[8] 0.500 and over [7]
SPECIFIED DEVIATION FROM bilateral tolerance, the value of the standard tolerance is that which
RADIUS applied to the mean of the maximum and minimum dimensions per-
SPECIFIED RADIUS missible under the tolerance for the dimension under consideration.
(inches)
Mean diameter is the average of two diameter measurements
[3]
A taken at right angles to each other at any point along the length.
When dimensions specified are outside and inside, rather than wall
[6]
Up through Up through 0.063 0.0025 circle that will completely enclose the cross-section of the extruded
12.750 0.064-0.125 0.003 product.
0.126-0.188 0.0035 [11]
See ASD, Standards Section (6), for Application of Twist limits.
0.189-0.250 0.004
0.251-0.500 0.005 Tolerances not applicable to TX510 or TX511 temper tube having
[12]
0.501 and over 0.008 a wall thickness less than 0.095 inches.
12.751-15.000 Up through 0.500 0.010 [13]
Conditions include die lines, mandrel lines, and handling marks.
0.501 and over 0.012
15.001-20.000 Up through 0.500 0.012 For tube over 12.750 inches O.D. the 2xxx and 7xxx series alloys
[14]
0.501 and over 0.015 and 5xxx series alloys with nominal magnesium content of 3 percent
or more are excluded.
20.001 and over Up through 0.500 0.015
0.501 and over 0.020 [15]
Not applicable to O temper tube.
[16]
Limited to those alloys listed in ASD, Table 12.1.
TABLE 8-24 Dents[15]
Depth of dents shall not exceed twice the Not applicable to 2219 alloy tube. Most tubes in 2219 alloy will
[17]
have die lines about twice the depth shown in the table; however, for
tolerances specified in Table 8-12 for diameter each tube size the supplier should be contacted for the roughness
at any point from specified diameter, except for value to apply.
tube having a wall thickness less than 2 1/2
If unspecified, the radius shall be 1/32 inch maximum including
[18]
percent of the outside diameter, in which case
tolerances.
the following multipliers apply:
2% to 2 1/2% exclusive-2.5 x tolerance (max.) Excerpted from Aluminum Standards and Data (ASD), 1997,
1 1/2% to 2% exclusive-3.0 x tolerance (max.) Tables 12.10, 12.11, 12.12, 12.13, and 12.14.
1% to 1 1/2% exclusive-4.0 x tolerance (max.)
Formability
The tube ends are capable of being expanded by forcing
a steel pin having an included angle of 60 degrees into
them until the outside diameter is increased 40 percent.
The expansion shall not cause cracks, ruptures, or other
defects visible to the unaided eye.
1. The data base and criteria upon which these mechanical property limits are established are outlined in The Aluminum Association publication
Aluminum Standards and Data (ASD), 1997, page 6-1, under “Mechanical Properties.”
2. Processes such as flattening, leveling, or straightening coiled products subsequent to shipment by the producer may alter the mechanical properties of
the metal. (Refer to ASD 1997, Section 4, “Certification Documentation.”)
3. Also available in F (as-extruded temper), for which no mechanical properties are specified or guaranteed.
LEAST MATERIAL
CONDITION (LMC) L
TANGENT PLANE T
;;
A
plates, gauge pins, collets, machine Theoretically Perfect
tool beds, etc. The intent of the stan- Either Method Means The Following:
dard is to hold or fixture the part with
something that is as close to the true Simulated Datum Datum Feature
;;
geometric counterpart as possible.
The further the fixture deviates from
the true geometric counterpart, the
greater the set-up error and, Mating
Part
therefore, the less reliable the
measurement. Measurements Are Made
From Simulated Datums
0.520 0.480
TOLERANCES OF FORM
(Unrelated)
Perpendicularity 0.008 A
Parallelism 0.008 A
Angularity 0.008 A
Profile of a Surface 0.010 A B
Total Runout 0.010 A
t
ron
F
;;
are equidistant from the center.
;;;;
• Any size tolerance on a cylindrical
feature or sphere.
;;
Circular Runout 0.006 A
Rule of thumb:
Runout tolerances are usually less
expensive to verify and should be
considered when circularity is
desired.
Every circular element These two diameters can be of any
The tolerance will be on a leader must be within the diameters within the size limits of the
line, which points to the feature tolerance zone. feature, provided they remain con-
containing the circular element(s). centric and their radial difference
equals the circularity tolerance.
Circularity is similar to straightness
except that the tolerance zone is
perfectly circular rather than
perfectly straight.
Rule of thumb:
Total runout is usually more cost
effective to verify and should be con-
sidered when cylindricity is desired.
- No datum reference
- Independent of size
- May not be modified
- Does not locate or orient.
Width of Cylindricity
Tolerance Zone
Tolerance Zone is created by
two concentric cylinders
0.20 A
0.20 A
37°
0.20 A
0.020 M A B M
0.008 A A
50.00±0.06
A
0.20 A
Could be modified M or L
RFS is implied
Profile of 0.010 A B
a Surface
Features are considered parallel
Total Runout 0.010 A B If the primary
when the distance between them datum is a plane
remains constant. Two lines, two
surfaces, or a surface and a line may Therefore, parallelism should easily be used as a
be parallel. The parallelism of refinement of Position Profile of a Surface.
features on a part is controlled by
making one a datum feature and
specifying a parallelism tolerance
with respect to it.
0.1 A
When parallelism is applied to a 20.0±0.4
plane that is part of a feature of size
and the other plane of that feature is
the referenced datum feature, the
parallelism tolerance cannot be
greater than or equal to the total size A
tolerance or it would be meaningless
since the plane's parallelism is auto- o4.5±0.1
matically controlled by the size
dimension.
0.4 M A
0.1 M A
Parallelism can also be specified on
an MMC basis. The MMC modifier
can be on the feature tolerance, the
datum feature, or both. As the fea-
12
ture deviates from its maximum
material condition, the parallelism
tolerance is increased.
A
S is implied per
Other tolerances that may provide Rule #2
angular control of features include:
Position
0.020 M A B M
Profile of
a Surface 0.010 A B
0.1 T A
TANGENT PLANE
Tangent plane is a new concept/sym- 20.0±0.4
bol, introduced in the 1994
Standard. Normally when a surface
is inspected for Perpendicularity, A
Parallelism, Angularity, Profile of a
Surface, or Total Runout, the flatness
must also fall within the aforemen- Gauge Block Ignore the out-of-flat
tioned geometric tolerance or the condition when
part would fail. Tangent Plane checking parallelism.
exempts the flatness requirement.
The gauge block is intended to
simulate the mating part.
actual size —- An actual size is the mea- concentricity —- Concentricity is a condition in which two or
sured size of the feature. more features (cylinders, cones, spheres, hexagons, etc.) in any
combination have a common axis.
angularity —- Angularity is the condition
of a surface, axis, or center plane, which contour tolerancing —- See profile of a line or profile of a
is at a specified angle (other than 90 surface.
degrees) from a datum plane or axis.
cylindricity —- Cylindricity is a condition of a surface of revolu-
basic dimension —- A dimension speci- tion in which all points of the surface are equidistant from a
fied on a drawing as Basic (or abbreviated common axis.
BSC) is a theoretical value used to
describe the exact size, shape, or location datum —- A datum is a theoretically exact point, axis, or plane
of a feature. It is used as the basis from derived from the true geometric counterpart of a specified
which permissible variations are estab- datum feature. A datum is the origin from which the location or
lished by tolerances on other dimensions geometric characteristics of features of a part are established.
or notes.
datum axis —- The datum axis is the theoretically exact center
basic size —- The basic size is that size line of the datum cylinder as established by the extremities or
from which limits of size are derived by contacting points of the actual datum feature cylindrical surface,
the application of allowances and toler- or the axis formed at the intersection of two datum planes.
ances.
datum feature —- A datum feature is an actual feature of a part
bilateral tolerancing —- A bilateral toler- which is used to establish a datum.
ance is a tolerance in which variation is
permitted in both directions from the datum feature symbol —- The datum feature symbol contains
specified dimension. the datum reference letter in a rectangular box.
center plane —- Center plane is the mid- datum line —- A datum line is that which has length but no
dle or median plane of a feature. breadth or depth such as the intersection line of two planes,
center line or axis of holes or cylinders, reference line for func-
circular runout —- Circular runout is the tional, tooling, or gauging purposes. A datum line is derived
composite control of circular elements of from the true geometric counterpart of a specified datum fea-
a surface independently at any circular ture when applied in geometric tolerancing.
measuring position as the part is rotated
through 360 degrees. datum plane —- A datum plane is a theoretically exact plane
established by the extremities or contacting points of the datum
circularity —- Circularity is the condition feature (surface) with a simulated datum plane (surface plate or
on a surface of revolution (cylinder, cone, other checking device). A datum plane is derived from the true
sphere) where all points of the surface geometric counterpart of a specified datum feature when
intersected by any plane (1) perpendicu- applied in geometric tolerancing.
lar to a common axis (cylinder, cone) or
(2) passing through a common center datum point —- A datum point is that which has position but no
(sphere) are equidistant from the center. extent such as the apex of a pyramid or cone, center point of a
sphere, or reference point on a surface for functional, tooling,
clearance fit —- A clearance fit is one or gauging purposes. A datum point is derived from a specified
having limits of size so prescribed that a datum target on a part feature when applied in geometric
clearance always results when mating tolerancing.
parts are assembled.
feature of size —- A feature of size may be geometric characteristics —- Geometric characteristics refer to
one cylindrical or spherical surface, or a the basic elements or building blocks which form the language
set of two plane parallel surfaces, each of of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing. Generally, the term
which is associated with a dimension; it refers to all the symbols used in form, orientation, profile,
may be a feature such as hole, shaft, pin, runout, and location tolerancing.
slot, etc. which has an axis, centerline, or
centerplane when related to geometric implied datum —- An implied datum is an unspecified datum
tolerances. whose influence on the application is implied by the
dimensional arrangement on the drawing—e.g., the primary
feature control frame —- The feature dimensions are tied to an edge surface; this edge is implied as a
control frame is a rectangular box con- datum surface and plane.
taining the geometric characteristic sym-
bol and the form, orientation, profile, interference fit —- An interference fit is one having limits of size
runout, or location tolerance. If neces- so prescribed that an interference always results when mating
sary, datum references and modifiers parts are assembled.
applicable to the feature of the datums
are also contained in the frame.
least material condition (LMC) —- modifier (material condition symbol) —- A modifier is the term
This term implies that condition of a part sometimes used to describe the application of the “maximum
feature wherein it contains the least material condition,” “regardless of feature size,” or “least
(minimum) amount of material, e.g., material condition” principles. The modifiers are maximum
maximum hole diameter and minimum material condition (MMC), regardless of feature size (RFS),
shaft diameter. It is opposite to maxi- and least material condition (LMC).
mum material condition (MMC).
multiple datum reference frames —- Multiple datum reference
limits of size —- The limits of size are the frames are more than one datum reference frame on one part.
specified maximum and minimum sizes
of a feature. nominal size —- The nominal size is the stated designation
which is used for the purpose of general identification, e.g.,
limit dimensions (tolerancing) —- In 1.400, .060, etc.
limit dimensioning only the maximum
and minimum dimensions are specified. normality —- See perpendicularity.
When used with dimension lines, the
maximum value is placed above the orientation tolerance —- Orientation tolerances are applicable
minimum value, e.g., .300 - .295. When to related features, where one feature is selected as a datum
used with leader or note on a single line, feature and the other related to it. Orientation tolerances are
the minimum limit is placed first, e.g., perpendicularity, angularity, and parallelism.
.295 - .300.
parallelepiped —- This refers to the shape of the tolerance zone.
line fit —- The limits of size are the speci- The term is used where total width is required and to describe
fied maximum and minimum sizes of a geometrically a square or rectangular prism, or a solid with six
feature. faces, each of which is a parallelogram.
maximum material condition (MMC) —- profile tolerance —- Profile tolerance controls the outline or
Maximum material condition is that con- shape of a part as a total surface or at planes through a part.
dition where a feature of size contains the
maximum amount of material within the profile of line —- Profile of line is the condition permitting a
stated limits of size, e.g., minimum hole uniform amount of profile variation, either unilaterally or bilat-
diameter and maximum shaft diameter. erally, along a line element of a feature.
It is opposite to least material condition.
profile of surface —- Profile of a surface is the condition permit-
ting a uniform amount of profile variation, either unilaterally or
bilaterally, on a surface.
regardless of feature size (RFS) —- This is transition fit —- A transition fit is one having limits of size so
the condition where the tolerance of prescribed that either a clearance or an interference may result
form, runout, or location must be met when mating parts are assembled.
irrespective of where the feature lies with-
in its size tolerance. true position —- True position is a term used to describe the
perfect (exact) location of a point, line, or plane of a feature in
roundness —- See circularity. relationship with a datum reference or other feature.
runout —- Runout is the composite total indicator reading (TIR) (see also FIR and FIM) —- Total
deviation from the desired form of a part indicator reading is the full indicator reading observed with the
surface of revolution during full rotation dial indicator in contact with the part feature surface during one
(360 degrees) of the part on a datum full revolution of the part about its datum axis. Total indicator
axis. Runout tolerance may be circular reading also refers to the total indicator reading observed while
or total. in traverse over a fixed noncircular shape. Use of the interna-
tional term, FIM (which, see), is recommended.
runout tolerance —- Runout tolerance
states how far an actual surface or feature total runout —- Total runout is the simultaneous composite
is permitted to deviate from the desired control of all elements of a surface at all circular and profile
form implied by the drawing during full measuring positions as the part is rotated through 360 degrees.
rotation of the part on a datum axis.
There are two types of runout: circular unilateral tolerance —- A unilateral tolerance is a tolerance in
runout and total runout. which variation is permitted only in one direction from the
specified dimension, e.g., 1.400 + .000 - .005.
size tolerance —- A size tolerance states
how far individual features may vary from virtual condition —- Virtual condition of a feature is the collec-
the desired size. Size tolerances are tive effect of size, form, and location error that must be consid-
specified with either unilateral, bilateral, ered in determining the fit or clearance between mating parts or
or limit tolerancing methods. features. It is a derived size generated from the profile variation
permitted by the specified tolerances. It represents the most
specified datum —- A specified datum is a extreme condition of assembly at MMC.
surface or feature identified with a datum
feature symbol.