What is GD&T?

GD&T is a three dimensional international engineering language used on mechanical drawings. This language consists mainly of symbols which are clearly defined in ASME Y14.5M-1994 put out by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This is the drawing standard used in North America and recognized throughout the world. It replaces the earlier ANSI Y14.5M-1982 standard and has been expanded to be almost identical to its ISO counterpart. The standards are complete in identifying ways of using the various geometric symbols and other methods to clearly show the designer's intent.

GD&T is the most effective method of communicating:

on a part drawing
Function Relationship Dimension Tolerances

What are Dimensions & Tolerances ?

A dimension is a numerical value expressed in appropriate units of measure & used to define the size, location, orientation, form ,or other geometric characteristics of part.

A tolerance is the total amount that features of the part are permitted to very from the specified dimension. The tolerance is the difference between the maximum & minimum limits.

Categories of Dimensioning
Dimensioning can be categorised: general dimensioning,

geometric dimensioning, and surface texture.

Types of Tolerances
A limit tolerance A plus- minus tolerance A bilateral tolerance
Equal bilateral tolerance Unequal bilateral tolerance

Unilateral tolerance

Dimensioning Standards
ISO ASME Y 14.5 M 1994

The ISO & the Y 14.5 M - 1994 dimensioning standards are 90% common.

The Fundamental Dimensioning Rules (10) are a set of general rules for dimensioning and interpreting drawings. ASME Y14.5M-1994 has defined a set of fundamental rules for this purpose. The ten rules that apply to this text are paraphrased in the list below: 1. Each dimension shall have a tolerance, except those dimensions specifically identified as reference, maximum, minimum, or stock (commercial stock) size. 2. Dimensioning and tolerancing shall be complete so there is full definition of each part feature. 3. Dimensions shall be selected and arranged to suit the function and mating relationship of a part and shall not be subject to more than one interpretation. 4. The drawing should define a part without specifying manufacturing methods. 5. A 90 angle applies where centerlines and lines depicting features are shown on a drawing at right angles, and no dimension is shown.

6 A 90 basic angle applies where centerlines of features in a pattern-or surfaces shown at right angles on a drawing-are located and defined by basic dimensions, and no angle is specified. 7. Unless otherwise specified, all dimensions are applicable at 20 C (68 F). 8. All dimensions and tolerances apply in the free-state condition. This principle does not apply to non-rigid parts. 9. Unless otherwise specified, all geometric tolerances apply to the full depth, length, and width of the feature. 10.Dimensions and tolerances apply only at the drawing level where they are specified. A dimension specified on a detail drawing is not mandatory for that feature on the assembly drawing.

Datum's
UP LEFT

BACK

6 LINEAR AND

6 ROTATIONAL
DEGREES OF FREEDOM

FRONT

RIGHT

DOWN

UNRESTRICTED FREE MOVEMENT IN SPACE

Datum's
A theoretical feature (e.g. plane, line)

Serves as a global coordinate frame for the part during different activities such as design, manufacturing and inspection. Each design must specify the datum planes (or other datums)

Datum Reference Frame

Datum order
The actual plane on the part (imperfect) corresponding to a (perfect) datum plane

Sequence of establishing datums :

PRIMARY (3 points) SECONDARY (2 points) TERTIARY (1 point)

Features & Features of Size (FOS)

A feature is a general term applied to a physical portion of a part, such as a surface ,hole, or slot. A feature of Size is one cylindrical or spherical surface ,or a set of two opposed elements or opposed parallel surface associated with size dimension.

Front

Top

Left Side
Back

Hole Surface

Right Side

Bottom

External Feature

External Feature

Internal Feature Internal Feature

The Co-ordinate Tolerancing System

Shortcomings of Co-ordinate Tolerancing

Three major shortcomings they are :
1. Square or rectangular tolerance zones 2. Fixed - size tolerance zones 3. Ambiguous instructions for inspection

Conventional (Coordinate) Tolerancing

Square or rectangular tolerance zones
8.5 +/- 0.1 Rectangular Tolerance Zone

10.25 +/- 0.5

10.25 +/- 0.5

Coordinate Dimensioning

Co-ordinate Tolerancing uses

Fixed - size tolerance zones

8.5 +/- 0.1
Rectangular Tolerance Zone 10.25 +/- 0.5

10.25 +/- 0.5

Print specifications requires Hole position within 0.5 mm square tolerance zone, whether the hole is smallest size or largest size limits. If hole function is to provide location with proper clearance then ,if hole size increases then it will not provide appropriate clearance may increase (when hole size is large ) or may decrease (when hole size is small. )

Square & Fixed tolerance zone can cause functional failure.

Co-ordinate Tolerancing &

Ambiguous instructions for inspection

Geometric Position Tolerancing

8.5 +/- 0.1

1.4

10.25 B

10.25

Geometric Dimensioning

+/- 0.5 1.4

+/- 0.5

Rectangular Tolerance Zone

Circular Tolerance Zone

57% Larger Tolerance Zone

Circular Tolerance Zone

Rectangular Tolerance Zone

Increased Effective Tolerance

Co-ordinate Dimension Usage

Type of Dimension
Size

Appropriate Use
X

Poor Use

Chamfer Radius Locating Part Feature Controlling Angular Relationship Define the Form of Part Features

X X X X X

LOCATE THE PART PER NOTE LOCATE THE PART PER NOTE 1.WHEN THE HOLESARE THE SMALLEST DIAMETER, THE CENTER OF EACH HOLE MUST BE LOCATED WITHIN A 0.7 DIAMATER CYLINDERICAL TOLERANCE ZONE. WHEN A HOLE IS LARGER THAN ITS MINIMUM DIAMETER, SUBTRACT THE MINIMUM DIAMETER FROM THE DIAMETER FROM THE ACTUAL DIAMETER AND ADD THIS AMOUNT TO THE CYLINDRICAL TOLERANCE ZONE. THE HOLE CENTER MUST BE WITHIN THE LARGER TOLERANCE ZONE DIAMETER. 1.WHEN THE HOLESARE THE SMALLEST DIAMETER, THE CENTER OF EACH HOLE MUST BE LOCATED WITHIN A 0.5 DIAMATER CYLINDERICAL TOLERANCE ZONE. WHEN A HOLE IS LARGER THAN ITS MINIMUM DIAMETER, SUBTRACT THE MINIMUM DIAMETER FROM THE DIAMETER FROM THE ACTUAL DIAMETER AND ADD THIS AMOUNT TO THE CYLINDRICAL TOLERANCE ZONE. THE HOLE CENTER MUST BE WITHIN THE LARGER TOLERANCE ZONE DIAMETER.

NOTE 1 MOUNT THE PART IN A SET OF 3 MUTUALLY PERPENDICULAR PLANES.SURFACE A CONTACTA A PLANE SECOND & SURFACE C CONTACTS A PLANE THIRD . MAKE ALL MEASUREMENTS PERPENDICULAR OR PARALLEL TO THESE PLANES.

DIAMETER MARKED ARE GAUGE DIMENSIONS FOR PART TOLERANCES SEE NOTE WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PATR.

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing System

GD&T is an international language used on drawings that describes the size, form, orientation, and location of part features.

It is also a design-dimensioning philosophy that encourages designers to define a part based on how it functions in the final product or assembly. GD&T is an exact language that enables designers to "say what they mean" on a drawing, thus improving product designs.
Production uses the language to interpret the design intent and to determine the best manufacturing approach, and inspection looks to the language to determine proper set-up. By providing uniformity in the drawing specifications and interpretation, GD&T reduces controversy, guesswork, and assumptions throughout the design manufacturing - inspection process.

Summarised difference between Co - ordinate & Geometric Tolerancing

Drawing Concept Co - ordinate Tolerancing Geometric Tolerancing
CONDITION Can use diameter symbol to allow round tolerance zones RESULTS

TOLERANCE ZONE SHAPE

CONDITION Square or rectangular tolerance zones for hole locations RESULTS Less tolerance available for hole Higher manufacturing costs

57% more tolerance for hole location Lower manufacturing costs

CONDITION Use of MMC modifier allows tolerance zone to increase under certain conditions

TOLERANCE ZONE FLEXIBILITY

CONDITION Tolerance zone is fixed

RESULTS Functional parts scrapped Higher operating costs CONDITION Implied datum allows choices for set up when inspecting the part
RESULTS Multiple inspectors may get different results Good parts scrapped Bad parts accepted

RESULTS Functional parts used Lower operating costs CONDITION The datum system communicates one set up for inspection
RESULTS Clear instructions for inspection Eliminates disputes over part acceptance

EASE OF INSPECTION

Types of Tolerances
Form Profile Orientation Runout Location Others

Form Tolerances
A form tolerance specified how far an actual surface or feature is permitted to deviate form the desired form specified in drawing; includes: flatness, straightness, circularity, cylindricity, profile of surface,& profile of a line

LINES
CHARACTERISTIC
straightness

SURFACES
SYMBOL CHARACTERISTIC
flatness

SYMBOL

circularity

cylindricity

Profile Tolerances
LINES
CHARACTERISTIC
profile of line

SURFACE
SYMBOL CHARACTERISTIC
profile of surface

SYMBOL

Orientation Tolerance
An orientation specifies how far the actual orientation between two features is permitted to deviate from the perfect orientation given in the drawing ; includes perpendicularity, angularity & parallelism

CHARACTERISTIC

SYMBOL

angularity

perpendicularity parallelism

Runout Tolerances
A runout tolerance specifies how far an actual surface or feature is permitted to deviate from the desired form given in a drawing during full rotation of the part on a datum axis. There are two types of runout ; circular runout & total runout.
CHARACTERISTIC

SYMBOL

circular runout

total runout

Location Tolerances
A location tolerance specifies how far an actual feature is permitted to deviate from the perfect location given in a drawing as related to datums or other features; includes position, concentricity & symmetry.

CHARACTERISTIC

SYMBOL

position

Concentricity (coaxiality) symmetry

What is a good level of tolerance?

Designer:
tight tolerance is better (less vibration, less wear, less noise)

Machinist:
large tolerances is better (easier to machine, faster to produce, easier to assemble)

variations

Material Conditions

Maximum Material Condition ( MMC )

Least Material Condition ( LMC )

Material Conditions (MMC)

Maximum Material Condition ( MMC ) The maximum material condition of an external feature of size ( i.e. Shaft) is its largest size limit. The maximum material condition of an internal feature of size (i.e. Hole) is its smallest size limit. 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.

Material Conditions (LMC)

Least Material Condition ( LMC ) The least material condition of an external feature of size ( i.e. Shaft) is its smallest size limit. The least material condition of an internal feature of size (i.e. Hole) is its largest size limit.

MMC vs. LMC

Maximum Material Condition

Least Material Condition

Regardless of Feature Size ( RFS )

Regardless of feature size is the term that indicates a geometric tolerance applies at any increment of size of the feature within its size tolerance. An other way to visualize RFS is that the geometric tolerance applies at what ever size the part is produced.

Example to added Explaning MMC, LMC,RFS.

Material Condition Usage

Each material condition is used for different functional reasons. Geometrical tolerances are often specified to apply at MMC when the function of a FOS is assembly. Geometrical tolerances are often specified to apply at LMC to insure a minimum distance on a part. Geometrical tolerances are often specified to apply at RFS to insure symmetrical relationships.

Modifiers
Modifiers communicate additional information about the drawing or tolerancing of a part.
TERM ABBREVIATION SYMBOL M L P T

MAXIMUM MATERIAL CONDITION

LEAST MATERIAL CONDITION PROJECTED TOLERANCE ZONE TARGET PLANE DIAMETER

MMC
LMC DIA

RADIUS
CONTROLLED RADIUS

R
CR

REFERANCE

( )

Bonus Tolerance
Here is the beauty of the system! The specified tolerance was:

This means that the tolerance is .10 if the hole size is the MMC size, or 25.00 If the hole is bigger, we get a bonus tolerance equal to the difference between the MMC size and the actual size.

This means that the tolerance is .010 if the hole size is the MMC size, or .497. If the hole is bigger, we get a bonus tolerance equal to the difference between the MMC size and the actual size.

Actual Hole Size

.497 (MMC) .499 (.499 - .497 = .002) .500 (.500 - .497 = .003)

Bonus Tol.
0 .002 (.010 + .002 = .012)

of Tol. Zone
.010 .012 .013

.003 (.010 + .003 = .013) .005

.006 ?

.502
.503 (LMC) .504

.015
.016 ?

This system makes sense the larger the hole is, the more it can deviate from true position and still fit in the mating condition

.497 = BONUS 0 TOL ZONE .010

.499 - .497 = BONUS .002 BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .012

.501 - .497 = BONUS .004

BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .014

.503 - .497 = BONUS .006

BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .016

TYPE OF FEATURE

TYPE OF CHARACTERISTIC SYMBOL TOLERANCE

FLATNESS

INDIVIDUAL (No Datum Reference)

STRAIGHTNESS FORM CIRCULARITY CYLINDRICITY

GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS SYMBOLS

INDIVIDUAL or RELATED FEATURES

LINE PROFILE PROFILE

SURFACE PROFILE PERPENDICULARITY ORIENTATION ANGULARITY PARALLELISM

RELATED FEATURES (Datum Reference Required)

CIRCULAR RUNOUT RUNOUT TOTAL RUNOUT CONCENTRICITY

LOCATION

POSITION SYMMETRY

Other symbols
CHARACTERISTIC

SYMBOL
M
L

maximum material condition (MMC)

least material condition (LMC)

datum feature
basic dimension

X.XXX
Application

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

Placement of Feature Control Frames

May be attached a side, end or corner of the symbol box to an extension line.

Applied to surface.

Applied to axis

May be below or closely adjacent to the dimension or note pertaining to that feature.
.500 .005

This is specified on drawing

Will the drawing below produce a part that most resembles Figure A or Figure B?

The correct answer is "B

Datum A removes one translation and two rotations from the mobility of the part. Datum axis B removes the last two translational degrees of freedom of the part relative to the datum reference framework.
Datum C is the axis of datum feature C. This axis is perfectly oriented to the datum reference framework by the basic dimensions. The only purpose of datum C is to remove the last rotational degree of freedom of the part relative to the datum reference framework.

The figure illustrates the datum reference frame associated with the part. This framework made up of three mutually perpendicular planes could have been drawn at the angle shown so that one of the planes passes through the axis of datum feature C without changing the meaning. The hole in the top of the part is shown perpendicular to vertical and horizontal centerlines on the drawing. These centerlines represent the datum reference frame illustrated. There is an implied 90 basic angle between the hole and one of the planes of the datum reference frame.