Workshop on GD & T

Faculty: Abhijeet
Chinchorkar
 Program Contents

• Background & History of GD & T

• Traditional Methods of
dimensioning
• GD & T
• Why GD & T
• When to Use GD & T
• Advantages of GD & T
• Terminology
• Geometric Characteristics control
Symbols
 Program Contents

• Feature Control Frame

• Datum
• Degrees of Freedom
• Bonus Tolerance
 Background & History

• Problems in describing Part

Geometry
• Different Interpretations
• Mistakes , Rejected Parts
• Wasted time & Money
• Delays in Production
• Stanley Parker
• Royal Torpedo Factory, Scotland
• Used since 1940
 Geometric Dimensioning
& Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Considers the function of the
part and how this part
functions with related parts.
• Allows a drawing to contain a
more defined feature more
accurately, without increasing
tolerances.
• Purpose is to describe the
engineering intent of parts and
assemblies
• Understood by Manufacturer
Coordinate Vs GD & T
 Reference Standards

• ASME Y14.5M-2009
• ISO 1101
 Example
• Given Table Height
Assume all 4 legs will be
cut to length at the same
time.
• 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.
– Height may any height between 26
and 28 inches.
– Top must be flat within 1/16.
(±1/32)

.06
.06
.06

28
27
26
 WHY IS GD&T ?

• 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
• 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 datum references are
desirable to insure consistency
between design
• When it allows a better choice of
machining processes to be made for
production of a part
 Advantages of GD&T:

• Significant improvement over

traditional methods.
• Compact language, understood by
anyone who learns the symbols.
• Replaces numerous notes.
• Offers greater design clarity,
improved fit, better inspection
methods, and more realistic
tolerances.
• Ensure that:
Good parts pass inspection.
Bad parts are caught and rejected.
 Some Fundamental
Drawing Rules
• Each Dimension shall have a Tolerance
except reference Dimensions
• Each Feature must be fully
Dimensioned & Toleranced
• Shall not be Subject to more than one
Interpretation
• Do not specify particular method of
manufacturing
• 90 Degree applies if angle not
specified
• Unless otherwise specified dimensions
tobe measured at 20 Degree Cent
 Some Fundamental
Drawing rules
• Unless otherwise specified,
feature applies to Full Depth,
Length,Width
• Dimensions & Tolerances apply
only & Drg level where they are
specified
• Zero tobe placed before decimal
point only if value is less than
Millimeter
• No Decimal point or Zero if
dimension is Whole No
 Some Fundamental Drg
Rules
• No Plus Symbol for Zero in
Unilateral Tolerance
• Bilateral –Same no of Decimal
places
• Limit Dimensioning-Both Values
to have same decimal places
 TERMINOLOGY
• 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
 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?
 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).
 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

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

– Feature Control Frame

Examples
Profile
 Feature
FEATUREControl Frame
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 Frames Cont’d.

 May be below or closely

adjacent to the dimension or
note pertaining to that feature.

Ø .500±.005
 Basic Dimension
• A theoretically exact size, profile,
orientation, or location of a feature or
datum target, therefore, a basic
dimension is untoleranced.
• Most often used with position,
angularity, and profile)
• Basic dimensions have a rectangle
surrounding it.

1.000
Basic Dimension cont’d.
 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.
Datum Reference Symbols

 The datum feature symbol

identifies a surface or feature
of size as a datum.

A A
A

ANSI ASME ISO

1982 1994
 Placement of Datums
• Datums are generally placed on a feature, a
centerline, or a plane depending on how
dimensions need to be referenced.
A OR A

ANSI 1982
ASME 1994

Line up with arrow only when

the feature is a feature of
size and is being defined as
the datum
 Placement of Datums
• Feature sizes, such as holes
A Ø .500±.005

• Sometimes a feature has a

GD&T and is also a datum
A

Ø .500±.005

Ø .500±.005
TWELVE DEGREES OF FREEDOM

UP

LEFT BACK

6 LINEAR AND
6 ROTATIONAL
DEGREES OF
FREEDOM

FRONT RIGHT

DOWN
UNRESTRICTED FREE
MOVEMENT IN SPACE
 Example Datums
• Datums must be perpendicular
to each other
– Primary

– Secondary

– Tertiary Datum
 Primary Datum
• A primary datum is selected to
provide functional
relationships, accessibility, and
repeatability.
– Functional Relationships
• A standardization of size is desired in the
manufacturing of a part.
• Consideration of how parts are orientated
to each other is very important.
– For example, legos are made in a
standard size in order to lock into
place. A primary datum is chosen to
reference the location of the mating
features.
– Accessibility
• Does anything, such as, shafts, get in the
way?
 Primary Datum cont’d.

– Repeatability
For example, castings, sheet metal,
etc.
• The primary datum chosen must
insure precise measurements. The
surface established must produce
consistent
• Measurements when producing
many identical parts to meet
requirements specified.
 Primary Datum
 Restricts 6 degrees of freedom

FIRST DATUM ESTABLISHED

BY THREE POINTS (MIN)
CONTACT WITH SIMULATED
DATUM A
 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
 Restricts 10 degrees of freedom.
SECOND DATUM
PLANE ESTABLISHED BY
TWO POINTS (MIN) CONTACT
WITH SIMULATED DATUM B
 Tertiary Datum
 Restricts 12 degrees of freedom.
THIRD DATUM
PLANE ESTABLISHED
BY ONE POINT (MIN)
90° CONTACT WITH
SIMULATED DATUM C

MEASURING DIRECTIONS FOR

RELATED DIMENSIONS
Size Datum
(CIRCULAR)

THIS ON
THE DRAWING

MEANS THIS

SIMULATED DATUM-
SMALLEST
PART CIRCUMSCRIBED
CYLINDER
DATUM AXIS
Size Datum
(CIRCULAR)

THIS ON
THE DRAWING

MEANS THIS

SIMULATED DATUM-
LARGEST
PART INSCRIBED
DATUM AXIS A CYLINDER
Datum Identifying Letters

• Any Alphabet except I,O,Q

• 1st Datum most Important
• 2nd Less Important
• 3rd-Least Importance
 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
 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.
Location Tolerances

– Position
– Concentricity

– Symmetry
 Position Tolerance
• A position tolerance is the total
permissible variation in the location of a
feature about its exact true position.
• For cylindrical features, the position
tolerance zone is typically a cylinder
within which the axis of the feature must
lie.
• For other features, the center plane of
the feature must fit in the space
between two parallel planes.
• The exact position of the feature is
located with basic dimensions.
• The position tolerance is typically
associated with the size tolerance of the
feature.
• Datums are required.
 Coordinate System Position
• Consider the following hole dimensioned with
coordinate dimensions:

• The tolerance zone for the location of the hole is as

follows:

2.000
.750

• Several Problems:
– Two points, equidistant from true position may not be
accepted.
– Total tolerance diagonally is .014, which may be more
than was intended.
 Coordinate System Position
• Consider the following hole dimensioned with
coordinate dimensions:

• The tolerance zone for the location (axis) of the hole

is as follows:

Center can be
anywhere along
the diagonal
line.

2.000
.750

• Several Problems:
– Two points, equidistant from true position may not be
accepted.
– Total tolerance diagonally is .014, which may be more
than was intended. (1.4 Xs >, 1.4*.010=.014)
 Position Tolerancing
• Consider the same hole, but add GD&T:

• Now, overall tolerance zone is:

MMC =
• .500
The-actual
.003 = center
.497 of the hole (axis) must lie in the
round tolerance zone. The same tolerance is
applied, regardless of the direction.
 Bonus Tolerance
• Here is the beauty of the system! The
specified tolerance was:

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.
 Bonus Tolerance Example
This means that
the tolerance
is .010 if the hole
size is the MMC
size, or .497. If the
.503
hole is bigger, we
get a bonus
tolerance equal to
the difference
between the MMC
size and the
actual size.

Actual Hole Size Bonus Tol. Φ of Tol. Zone

Ø .497 (MMC) 0 .010

Ø .499 (.499 - .497 = .002) .002 (.010 + .002 = .012) .012

Ø .500 (.500 - .497 = .003) .003 (.010 + .003 = .013) .013

Ø .502 .005 .015

Ø .503 (LMC) .006 .016

Ø .504 ? ?

• 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
Hole
TOL ZONE .010

Shaft

.499 - .497 = BONUS .002

BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .012
 .501 - .497 = BONUS .004
BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .014

.503 - .497 = BONUS .006

BONUS + TOL. ZONE = .016
• What if the tolerance had been specified as:

Since there is NO material modifier, the tolerance

is RFS, which stands for regardless of feature size.
This means that the position tolerance is .010 at all
times. There is no bonus tolerance associated with
this specification.

• VIRTUAL CONDITION: The worst case boundary

generated by the collective effects of a size
feature’s specified MMC or LMC material condition
and the specified geometric tolerance.

GT = GEOMETRIC
TOLERANCE
 PERPENDICULARITY Cont’d.

Means “the hole (AXIS) must

be perpendicular within a
diametrical tolerance zone
of .010 at MMC relative to
datum A.”

Actual Hole Bonus Tol. Ø of Tol.

Size Zone
1.997
(MMC)
1.998
1.999
2.000
Vc = 2.001
2.002
2.003
 Free State Condition

• For Non Rigid Parts

0.05 F
Q&A