Activity 7.

3 Tolerances
Procedure

1. Consider the adjustable rocker arm represented in the drawing above. An axle is
to pass through the smallest hole. The manufacturer is considering buying bar
stock for the axle that is manufactured according to the following drawing using
the same general tolerances as those specified on the Rocker Arm Drawing.
Answer the following questions and SHOW YOUR WORK.

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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 7.3 Tolerances Page 1

a. What is the tolerance (the acceptable amount of dimensional variation) for

the diameter of the rod? .53 - .52 = .01

b. What is the tolerance for the rod length?

Upper limit lower limit 3.03 2.97 =.06
c. Is the fit between the rod and the hole a clearance fit, interference fit, or
transition fit? Explain your answer. 3.03 2.97
.53 .52 Interference, the
rod is too large

d. What is the allowance between the rod and the smallest hole?
LMC - LMC.52 - 2.97 = -2.45

e. If the design of the assembled machine requires that the rod is sized such
that the actual clearance between the rod and the hole is never greater
than 0.005 inches, will the current rod design meet the requirement?
Explain.
No the rod is too large for the hole
f. The machine specification requires that the rod is no longer than 3.025
inches and no shorter than 2.955 in.
Let L represent the actual length of the rod. Write the length
constraint as a compound inequality. L =, < 2.995 Or L =,> 3.025
Will the stock rods always meet the length constraint? Explain. Yes
as long as they are in between 2.955 and 3.025 in
g. If the stock rods do not always meet the machine specifications for rod
length, how can the manufacturer alter the rod part drawing such that the
rod length will always conform to the specifications? The manufacturer
can change the rod to transitional fit

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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 7.3 Tolerances Page 2

2. Consider the axle pin and the body of the Automoblox vehicle (shown below).
The axle is designed to remain inserted into the body of the vehicle so that it
cannot be removed by a child.

a. What type of fit would you recommend for the axle and body? Why?
Interference fit because it would allow the axle to lock in place without
movement.

b. Assume an interference fit is used and that the ideal interference between
the axle and the hole in the body of the vehicle is 0.005 inches. However,
the interference can increase to as much as .010 without damage to the
parts. With the addition of glue to help adhere the two pieces, an
interference of .002 can be used successfully. Assume that the specified
diameter of the axle is 0.300 inches as shown on the pictorial above. On
the images above indicate your recommendation for:
the specific tolerance to the axle diameter dimension
the diameter and associated tolerance for the hole in the bed
c. Calculate the following for the exterior axle pin diameter using your
suggested dimension tolerances. SHOW YOUR WORK.
Specified dimension: 0.300 inches
Upper Limit: .305 in
Lower Limit: .295 in
Tolerance: .305 - .295 = .01in

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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 7.3 Tolerances Page 3

Conclusion
1 Why do engineers place tolerances on dimensions?

3. What are the three types of tolerances that appear on dimensioned drawings?

4.
5. |'What is the difference between a general and a specific tolerance, and how can
you tell the difference on a drawing?

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