Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

(Metrology)
4.19.

Tolerances on linear dimensions have been discussed and we will now concentrate
on tolerances with respect to actual function and relationship among various
components. Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing are means of specifying
engineering design and drawing requirements with respect to actual function and
relationship for part features; (component portion of a part, e.g., surface, hole, slot
etc.) which can be most economically produced. Geometric tolerances are
concerned with the accuracy of the relationship of one feature to another; and these
are specified separately. These represent the maximum permissible overall variation
of form, or position of form, or position of a feature. In fact it is engineering design
drawing language and a functional production and inspection technique. For the
most economical and effective production, it is essential that a uniform system of
dimensioning and tolerancing be followed for uniform understanding and
interpretation among design, production and inspection groups. The information
given in this chapter on various positional tolerances is based on the U.S. standard
ANSIY 14.51973, Dimensioning and Tolerancing for Engineering Drawing.
Geometric Characteristics and Symbols
The use of symbols on drawing in place of notes has the advantages of uniform
meaning, misunderstanding, compact and quickly and easy drawn, international
language requiring no interpretation etc. The various geometric characteristics and
symbols used and their definition are given on next pages. These can be broadly
classified into three types. Tolerance zone represents the zone within which the
feature is to be contained. This zone may be a circle, cylinder, area between two
parallel lines, etc. On drawings, the geometric tolerance is indicated in a rectangular
frame, which is divided into compartments, as shown is Fig. 4.80. In Fig. 4.80,
feature control symbol is marked on an extension line from the feature, i.e.
angularity. The first box in the feature control symbol indicates that the feature to be
controlled is angularity. Second box indicates the references with respect to which it
is to be controlled, i.e. surface A which is indicated in a rectangle at the bottom. The
numerals 0.17 in third box indicate the tolerance.
Important features to be noted in Fig. 4.81 are:
(i)

All basic dimensions like 14.6, 5.75, 20.4, 10.62 have been put into rectangular
boxes instead of writing words BASIC against them.

(ii) Feature control symbol put on line AB extended indicates that surface AB should
be perpendicular to datum A within 0.02, and the letter B in rectangular box below it
indicates that the surface AB is perpendicular to datum B surface

Fig. 4.80. Geometric tolerance.

Fig. 4.81. Important features of geometric tolerances.

Broad classification
(kind of feature)

Geometric
characteristics

Symbol

Definition

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Flatness

It is the condition of a surface having

all elements in one plane.

Straightness

It is a condition where an element of

a surface or an axis is a straight line.

Individual features
A single surface, element, or size feature
which relates to a perRoundness
fect geometric counte(Circularity)
rpart of itself as the
desired form.

Individual or related feature

A single surface or
element feature whose
perfect geometrical
profile is described
which may, or may
not, relate to a datum.

It is the condition on a surface of

revolution (cylinder, cone, -sphere)
where all points of the surface intersected by any plane (i)
perpendicular
to a common axis (cylinder, cone) or
(ii) passing through a common
centre
(sphere) are equidistant from the
centre.

Cylindricity

It is a condition of a surface of a
revolution in which all points of the
surface are equidistant from a common axis.

Profile of a line

It is the condition permitting a

uniform amount of profile variation,
either unilaterally or bilaterally,
along aline element of a feature.

Profile of a surface

It is the condition permitting a

uniform amount of profile variation,
either unilaterally or bilaterally, on a
surface.

Relation feature
Perpendicularity
A single surface or
(squareness or
elenormality)
ment feature which relates to a datum, or
datums in form and at-

It is the condition of a surface axis,

or
line which is 90 from a datum plane
or datum axis.

Angularity

It is the condition of a surface, axis,

or
centre plane which is at a specified
angle (other than 90) from a datum
plane or axis.

Parallelism

It is the condition of a surface, line or

axis which is equidistant at all points
from a datum plane or axis.

Circular runout

It is the composite control of circular

elements of a surface independently
at any circular measuring position as
the part is rotated through 360.

Total runout

It is the simultaneous composite

control of all elements of a surface at all
circular and profile measuring positions as the part is rotated through
360.

titude (orientation).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Position

A position tolerance defines a zone

within which the axis or centre plane
of a feature is permitted to vary from
true (theoretically exact) position.

Concentricity

It is a condition in which two or more

features (cylinders, cones, spheres,
hexagons etc.) in any combination
have a common axis.

Symmetry

It is a condition in which a feature (or

features) is symmetrically disposed
about the centre plane of a datum
surface.

The detailed definitions of all these features and methods of their measurement have been
explained in chapter 8.
Other symbols recommended are:
(l)

(2)

(3)

Maximum material condition MMC

It corresponds to minimum hole size

and maximum shaft size.

Regardless of feature size RFS

This is the condition when the

tolerance of form, runout or location
must be met irrespective of where the
feature lies within its size tolerance.

Projected tolerance zone

It is a tolerance zone applied to a hole

in which a pin, stud, screw or bolt etc.
is to be inserted. It controls the perpendicularity of the hole to the extent
of the projection from the hole. As it
relates to the mating part clearance, .
it extends above the surface of the
part to the functional length of the
pin, screw etc. relative to its assembly
with the mating part.

Datum target

It is specific datum point, line or area

(identified on the drawing with this
datum target symbol) used to establish datum .points, lines, planes or
areas for special functions or
manufacturing and inspection
repeatability.

Diameter (cylindrical) tolerance zero

(1)

(2)

(3)

Basic, exact dimension

A basic dimension is symbolised by

boxing it e.g. 25.4. Basic dimension is
a theoretical value used to describe
the exact size, shape or location of a
feature. It is used as a basis from
which permissible variations are established by tolerances on other
dimensions.

Datum identification symbol

It contains the datum reference letter

in a drawn rectangular box.
The feature control symbol consists of
a frame containing the geometric
characteristic symbol, datum references, tolerance and the MMC symbol, if applicable.

(iii) Similarly the feature control symbol on line BC extended indicates that this
surface itself is datum C and that this surface C should be perpendicular to datum A
within 0.02 and with datum B within 0.02.

(iv) Feature control symbol on hole indicates 3 holes of 5.00 0.12 size which
should be on true position within <j> 0.24 at maximum material condition in relation
to datums A, B and C.
(v) Feature control symbol over face D22 indicates that it should be flat within 0.02
total with reference to datum A.
From this example, it will be appreciated that a lot of information can be put in a very
easy manner on the drawing in symbolic form without requiring notes.
There are several rules to be followed in adopting these symbols and complete
description of them is beyond the scope of this topic. Those interested further may
refer to the U.S. standard
ANSIY 14.51973.
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