GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONING

AND TOLERANCING
 Some surprises

 10 0.2

 10.2
 9.8


Coordinate Tolerancing System

Shortcomings:

- Square or rectangular zones

- Fixed-size tolerance zones

- Ambiguous instructions for inspection

 Comparison of Tolerance Zone

15 0.2

10 0.2
10 0.2

20 0.2
57 % more clearance
0.16 excess This hole axis is allowed
in a round zone
to be the further than
compared to square
this hole
zone

0.4 0.4 square

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

4 Holes  5  0.5
O  0.56

15
20

10

10 20
 Method of Inspection

SURFACE PLATE SURFACE PLATE

This method for part OR This method for part

measurement? measurement?
 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance (GD&T) is an

international language that is used on engineering drawings to
accurately describe a part. It basically consists of well-defined
set of symbols, rules, definitions and conventions.

• GD&T is a precise mathematical language that can be used to

describe the size, form, orientation and location of part features.

• GD&T is also a design philosophy on how to design and

dimension parts.

• It encourages a dimensioning philosophy called “Functional

Dimensioning”, that defines a part based on how it functions in
the final product.
 Comparison between geometric and coordinate
tolerancing
Drawing Coordinate Tolerance Geometric Tolerance
Concept
TOLERANCE CONDITION CONDITION
ZONE SHAPE  Square or rectangular zones for  Can use diameter symbol to
hole locations allow round tolerance zone
RESULTS RESULTS
 Less tolerance available for hole  57% more tolerance
 Higher manufacturing cost  Lower manufacturing costs

TOLERANCE CONDITION CONDITION

ZONE  Tolerance zone fixed in size  Use of MMC modifier allows

FLEXIBILITY tolerance zone to increase

under certain conditions
RESULTS CONDITION
 Functional parts scrapped Functional parts used
 Higher operating costs Lower operating costs
 Comparison between geometric and coordinate
tolerance
Drawing Coordinate Tolerance Geometric Tolerance
Concept
EASE OF CONDITION CONDITION
INSPECTION  Implied datum allows choices  The datum system
for set up when inspecting the communicates one set up for
part inspection
RESULTS RESULTS
 Multiple inspectors may get  Clear instructions for
different results inspection
 Good parts scrapped  Eliminates disputes over part
 Bad parts accepted acceptance
 Tolerance Symbols

Characteristics Symbol Type

Flatness
Straightness
Form
Roundness (Circularity)
Cylindricity
Line Profile
Profile
Surface Profile
Perpendicularity
Angularity Orientation
Parallelism
Circular Runout
Runout
Total Runout
 Tolerance Frame

Tolerance Frame – A boxed expression containing the geometric

characteristics symbol, the tolerance shape zone where applicable and
tolerance; plus any other datum reference and modifiers for the features
or datums:

0.1 0.1 A

0.1 M A B C

Tolerance Symbol
Tertiary Datum
Tolerance Zone Shape
and value Secondary Datum

Modifier Primary Datum

 GD&T Definitions

A Feature – It is a general term applied to physical portion of

a part, such as a surface, hole, or slot. In short a feature is a
part surface

Basic Dimension – It is a theoretical value used to describe

the exact size or location. A tolerance is always required with
a basic dimension to show the permissible variation. A basic
dimension is symbolized by boxing e,g., 10
 GD&T Definitions - Datum

A Datum is a theoretically exact plane, point or axis from which a

dimensional measurement is made.

A datum feature is a part feature that contacts a datum

A planar datum is the true geometric counterpart of palanar datum

feature

Datum features and surfaces are actual part features and surfaces including
all of their feature or surface inaccuracies.

A true geometric counterpart is the theoretical perfect boundary or best

fit tangent plane of a specified datum feature
 Datum
Tertiary datum
(Minimum one points of contact)
Secondary datum
(Minimum two points of contact)

Primary datum
(Minimum three points of contact)
 Datums
A
A On the outline of the feature
or an extension line

A A
On the extension line
when datum feature is
the axis or median plane

A
On the axis or median plane
when datum feature is the
common axis or plane formed by
two feature
 Toleranced Feature

Tolerance to line or Surface

Tolerance to axis or median plane

Tolerance to axis or median plane of common features

 Datum Terminology
10.6 – 0.4

A Drawing Actual part

Gauge element for establishing Datum Axis

Datum feature simulator (gauge

Datum feature element)
Simulated datum axis A
(Considered as datum axis A)

Simulated datum feature A

(Considered as true
geometric counterpart)
 GD&T Definitions – Mating Size

Mating Size:

Mating size for an external feature: The dimension of the smallest perfect
feature which can be circumscribed about the feature so that it just contacts
the surface at the highest points.

Mating size for an internal feature: The dimension of the largest perfect
feature which an be inscribed within the feature so that it just contacts the
surface at the highest points
 GD&T Definitions – MMC and LMC

Maximum Material Condition (MMC) - The state of the considered feature

in which the feature is everywhere at that limit of size where the material of
the feature is at its maximum e.g. minimum hole diameter and maximum
shaft diameter

Least Material Condition (LMC) - The state of the considered feature in

which the feature is everywhere at that limit of size where the material of
the feature is at its minimum e.g. maximum hole diameter and minimum
shaft diameter
 GD&T Definitions - Virtual Condition

Virtual condition (VC) is the limiting boundary of perfect form permitted

by the drawing data for the feature; the condition is generated by the
collective effect of the maximum material size and the geometrical
tolerances. The VC of a feature of size includes effects of the size,
orientation, and location for the feature.

When the maximum material principle is applied, only those geometrical

tolerances followed by the symbol shall be taken into account
M
when determining the virtual condition

Virtual Size is the dimension defining the virtual condition of a feature

GD&T Definitions – Example

 0.5 M A

 150–0.3 Mating size

Virtual size  150.05

Virtual condition
` Actual local size
Maximum material
condition

A Perpendicularity
tolerance zone dia.
0.05
 Virtual Condition
 12.6 –0.4  0.3 Tol at MMC
 0.3 M A  12.9 at VC
A VC = MMC +Tol
Virtual Condition 12.9 = 12.6+0.3

Datum plane A

 13.2+0.4  0.3 Tol at MMC

 12.9 at VC
 0.3 M A
VC = MMC -Tol
12.9 = 13.2-0.3
Virtual Condition

A Datum plane A
 Multiple Virtual Condition
B  10.2-0.4 A
20  0.2 M A B C
 0.1 M A
C

20
Size tolerance as per Rule #1 Virtual condition Virtual condition boundary
boundary to datum A relative to datum A,B,C
10.2-0.4
10.3 10.4

The Dia must pass thru a

10.2 envelope as per Rule #1
& must be > 9.8  0.1 M A  0.2 M A B C
 Rules of GD&T
Rule #1 – Where only a tolerance of size is specified , the limits of size of an
individual feature prescribe the extent to which variations in its form - as well as
in its size – are allowed.
It is referred to as the “perfect form at MMC” or “envelope rule.” It is a key concept
it GD&T. It ensures that features of size will assemble with one another. It is the
Taylor Principle.
This means:

1. No element of the actual feature of size shall extend beyond a

boundary of perfect form at MMC.
2. The actual measured size at any cross section of the feature
shall within the LMC limit for size.
3. This rule does not apply to non-rigid parts or commercial
stock, such as bar stock, plates tunings, etc.
 Rules of GD&T

Rule #2 – For all applicable geometric tolerances, Regard Less

of Feature (RFS) applies with respect to the individual

tolerance, datum reference or both, where no modifying symbol

is specified.
 Rule #1 Boundary
10.8-0.6
10.8 Rule #1 boundary

10.2 LMC
Part Height Amount of Form Error part
Allowed
10.8 (MMC) 0
10.7 0.1
10.6 0.2
10.5 0.3
10.4 0.4
10.3 0.5
10.2 (LMC) 0.6
 Go Gauge and No-Go Gauge : Shaft
10.8-0.6 No-Go Gauge (Verifies that any two-
point check is equal to
or greater than LMC)
40.8-0.6

Go Gauge Multiple
Verifies part diameter does Part
checks are
not exceed MMC size and
required
Go Gauge Rule #1 boundary

10.8 No-Go Gauge

Part must 10.2

pass thru
the gauge
40.8 MIN
 Go Gauge and No-Go Gauge : Hole
30.6-0.4
9.2 + 0.2 Go Gauge Verifies part diameter does
not violate MMC size and
Rule #1 boundary

Part 9.2

No-Go Gauge Verifies that any two-

point check is equal to Go Gauge
or less than LMC 30.6 MIN

The No-Go gauge could be used at

Part 9.4 both ends of the hole. If a check
inside the part is needed , a
variable two-point measurement
can be made
No-Go Gauge
 Bonus Tolerance due to MMC
 12.6 –0.6
 8.4 +0.4  1.0 M A

A
Gauge Datum axis A
Size of Bonus
Part toleranced tolerance
 12.6 part
 8.4 (MMC) 1.0
 8.5 1.1
Gauge element for establishing
 8.6 1.2
datum axis A
 8.7 1.3
 8.8 (LMC) 1.4
 Zero Tolerance at MMC
 12.6 –0.6
 8.4 +0.4  1.0 M A

A
• Zero tolerancing at MMC allows
 7.4 +0.4  0 M A more size tolerances with out
changing MMC concept.
• It allows machinist a wide range
of tools sizes to choose from.
• Not to be applied to tapped holes.
• Adds weight and not be used
 Bonus Tolerance at LMC
A

 24.8-0.6  20.4+0.4
 0.2 L A

Toleranced dia Position

AME Tolerance zone dia Minimum Wall
24.2 0.2 Thickness ?
24.4 0.4
[(24.2 – 0.2) –20.8]%2 = 1.6
24.6 0.6
24.8 0.8
 Datum Shift - Definition

 Datum shift is the allowable movement, or looseness, between

the part datum feature and the gauge.

 Datum shift may result in additional tolerance for the part

 Datum Shift-Perfect Datum
A
 8.8 –0.4  1.0 M A M
 12.6 –0.6

Gauge Datum axis A

Actual mating Diametral
size of datum datum shift
Part feature A possible
 12.6
 12.6 (MMC) 0.0
 12.4 0.2
Gauge element for establishing  12.2 0.4
datum axis A  12.0 (LMC) 0.6
 Datum Shift – Additional Tolerances
10 – 0.3 5– 0.3
 0.1 M A M

A
Datum Feature Controlled Feature Datum Shift Tolerance
Size Size
10 5 0 0.1
10 4.9 0 0.2
10 4.8 0 0.3
10 4.7 0 0.4
9.9 4.8 0.1 0.4
9.8 4.8 0.2 0.5
9.7 4.7 0.3 0.7
 Datum Shift With Datum Tolerance
 12.6 –0.6
 8.4 +0.4  1.0 M A M
 0.2 M

Gauge Datum axis A

Actual mating Diametral
size of datum datum shift
Part feature A possible
 12.8
 12.8 0.0
 12.6 (MMC) 0.2
Simulated datum
 12.4 0.4
 12.2 0.6
Datum shift = Gauge size – Actual
 12.0 (LMC) 0.8
Straightness Tolerance - Surface

0.1

0.1

0.1 wide tolerance zone

for each line element of
the surface
Straightness Tolerance - Axis
0.1

Tolerance zone of
0.1mm wide

 0.1

Cylindrical tolerance
zone of diameter
0.1mm
 Cylindricity Tolerance

0.5
0.5

All element of the surface must lie

within two concentric cylinders
0.5mm apart parallel to the axis
 Tolerance of Position
B
 6.0 +0.4
A 12.2
 0.2 A B C

C 16.2

Datum plane C
 0.2 tol. zone

16.2

12.2

Datum plane A
Datum plane B
Tolerance of Position to Non-parallel Hole
B 4x30o 4x  6 + 0.2
6  0.4 M A B C

 14+0.4

A
Hole AME  Tol. Bonus Total Tol.
Dia. Tol. Dia
6.0 0.4 0 0.4
6.1 0.4 0.1 0.5
6.2 0.4 0.2 0.6
 Perpendicularity - definition

Perpendicularity is the condition that results when a surface, axis,

or centerplane is exactly 90 degrees to a datum. A perpendicularity
control is a geometric tolerance that limits the amount a surface,
axis, or centerplane is permitted to vary from being perpendicular
to the datum

The two common tolerance zones for a perpendicularity are:

-Two parallel planes
- A cylinder
 Perpendicularity of Surface
0.2 A B 24.8 – 0.4
B

22.2-0.4
A
Tolerance zone All elements of the part surface
two parallel planes must be within the tolerance zone
0.2 apart,
perpendicular to A
Part contacts datum plane
A first and datum plane B
second
Datum plane B

Datum plane A
 Perpendicularity to Axis
Tol. Zone dia.
50.2 – 0.2
 0.2 M A

Dia Perpendicularity Bonus Tolerance Zone 

tol tol.
50.2 0.05 0.0 0.05

50.1 0.05 0.1 0.15

50.0 0.05 0.2 0.25

 Parallelism of Surface
0.1 A

22.2-0.4
A
All elements of the part
surface must be within the
tolerance zone 22.8
21.8

Tolerance zone is
two parallel planes
0.1 apart & parallel
to datum plane A

Datum plane A
 Parallelism To A Diameter
 10.2 + 0.4
 0.1 M A
22.2 – 0.4
A

Tolerance zone Datum

Gauge for verifying
0.1 dia . cylinder plane A
parallelism of hole
 10.1

Datum plane A
Adjustable to accommodate Axis of diameter must be
hole location tolerance within tolerance zone
 Symmetry
28.4 – 0.4
22.4 – 0.2
0.6 A

A
Datum Tolerance zone – 2
centreplane A parallel planes 0.6 apart

Median points of toleranced

feature lie within the tolerance
zone
 Concentricity
A
 30.6–0.4
 0.3 A

 12.2 –0.2
X = Distance from datum ax
Chuck or collet Midpoint 15.3 to part surface
Y = Distance from datum ax
to part surface
Z X = 15.4
X – Y = Distance of two poi
measurement
Y= 15.2 W = Midpoint = (X+Y)/2
Z = Distance between
Daum axis midpoint and datum axis
Median points of the toleranced dia. must be Z=X-W
within the tolerance zone Each distance Z must be within the
cylindrical tolerance zone
 Circular Runout
A
 30.6–0.4
1 A

 12.2 –0.2

Chuck or collet
Part surface

Two co-axial
circles originate
from the datum
axis

Radial distances between

Daum axis
circles equal to the runout
tolerance value
 Circular Runout to a Surface
A

0.2 A
 12.2 –0.2

Chuck or collet Angle of surface not controlled

with circular runout

Datum axis

Rotated 360 degrees. The gauge

Maximum indicator is moved along consecutive
reading 0.2 vertical circles
 Total Runout
A
 30.6–0.4
1 A

 12.2 –0.2

Chuck or collet Dial indicator reading is the runout

tolerance value

Datum axis

Rotated 360 degrees. The gauge

Gauge covers a helix of the is moved along the axis
surface of the diameter
Comparison of Concentricity, Runout and Tolerance
of Position
GEOMETRIC CONTROL
CONCEPT
CONCENTRICITY TOTAL RUNOUT TOP

Tolerance zone Cylinder Two co-axial Cylinder

cylinders
Tolerance zone Median points of Surface elements of Axis of AME
applies to … toleranced diameter a toleranced diameter of the
tolerances
diameter
Relative cost to CC CCC C
produce
Relative cost to CCC CC C
inspect
Part characteristics Location and Location, orientation Location and
being controlled orientation and form orientation
 Functional Gauge-Shaft
 12.6 –0.4  0.3 Tol at MMC
 0.3 M A  12.9 at VC
A
Virtual Condition

Datum plane A

Functional Gauge

 12.9
 Functional Gauge-Hole
 13.2+0.4  0.3 Tol at MMC
 12.9 at VC
 0.3 M A

Virtual Condition

A Datum plane A

Functional Gauge

 12.9
 Functional Gauge
A functional gauge verifies functional requirements of part features
as defined by the geometric tolerances

A functional gauge does not provide a numerical reading of a part

parameter.

When compared to variable gauge, a functional gauge offers several benefits:.

 The gauge represents the worst-case mating part.

 Part can be verified quickly

 A functional gauge is economical to produce

No special skills are required to ‘read’ the gauge or interpret the result

 A functional gauge can check several part characteristics simultaneously

Advantages of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance

• Improved communication and clear understanding between the designer,

manufacturer and inspector, and vendor
• Ensures uniform drawings and minimises written specifications and
instructions. Provides uniform interpretation.
• Eliminates implied datums and dictates the method of gauging rather than
relying on an individual’s interpretation.
• Provides a clear understanding of how the part functions.
• Identifies product problems early in the design stage.
• Provides greater tolerances for manufacturing in the design stage, and later in
form of “bonus tolerancing”.
• Ensures assembly of components.
• Provides savings in time and money.
Thank you
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance

4 Holes  5  0.5
O  0.56

15
20

10

10 20
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance

4 Holes  5  0.5
O  0.56

15
20

10

10 20
 GD&T Definitions – Datum (Contd)

Depending upon the type of datum feature, true geometric

counterpart may be:

- A tangent plane contacting the high points of a surface

- A maximum material condition boundary

- A least material condition boundary

- A virtual condition boundary

- An actual mating envelope

- A worst-case boundary