Tolerances

Tolerance

The total amount a specific dimension can

vary. (ANSI Y14.5M-1994)

Tolerances are assigned so that any two

mating parts will fit together.

Highly accurate parts are extremely

expensive, so tolerances should be as
generous as possible while still maintaining
proper function for the part.

Limit Dimensions

Limit dimensions specify the upper and lower value.

An acceptable part may be at the upper limit, lower limit, or
any value in between.

Allowance & Fit

The minimum clearance space or maximum interference is

the allowance. Fit is the range of tightness or looseness
between parts for their function.

Types of fit

Clearance fit: internal member always has space or

clearance.
Interference fit: internal member is always larger and has to
be forced inside external member.
Transition fit: either clearance or interference.
Line fit: clearance or surface contact results.

Basic Hole System

Hole will be machined

with a standard sized
tool.

Determine type of fit

necessary. Use fit table
or otherwise determine
allowance.

Apply tolerances using

hole size as basic
dimension.

Basic Shaft System

Less commonly
used than basic hole
system.

Most commonly
used when many
parts will fit on a
standard shaft.

Shaft size is basic

dimension.

Plus/minus dimensioning

Basic size of dimension is given with

tolerances expressed as a plus/minus range.

Equal Bi-lateral Tolerances

Baseline vs. Continued

Baseline tolerances dont stack-up
Continued (chained) tolerances stackup

Metric Tolerance Terminology

Basic Hole Method: METRIC

The 18 International
Tolerance (IT) grades
vary according to the
basic size.
H indicates tolerance is
for hole basis. F is for
shaft basis.

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing

uses standard symbols to indicate tolerances

that are based on the features geometry.

sometimes called feature based dimensioning

& tolerancing or true position dimensioning &
tolerancing

uses feature control frames to indicate

tolerance

G D & T Symbols

Understanding Tolerance Zones

Traditional plus/minus type of tolerancing describes a

square zone for acceptable locations.
GD&T describes a zone around the theoretically exact
location for the feature.

Basic Dimension

A theoretically exact
dimension used to
locate features in
GD&T
Basic dimensions
are untoleranced.

Datums

Datums are features

on the object that are
used as reference
surfaces from which
other measurements
are made.
Not every GD&T
feature requires a
datum.

Cylindrical Tolerance Zone

Maximum Material Condition

Maximum material condition for a hole feature is

the smallest sized hole.

Maximum material condition for a shaft feature is

the largest shaft.

The maximum material condition modifier in a

feature control frame means that the tolerance
applies at max. material condition. If the actual
hole is larger than the smallest allowable hole, a
bonus tolerance can be added to the stated
tolerance value.

Maximum Material Condition

Angular Tolerances

Traditional methods for tolerancing angles require that angled surfaces

be very accurate near the vertex of the angle, but can vary more
along the length of the angled feature.

GD&T Angular Tolerance Zones

Concentricity

Summary

There are several methods you can use to

specify tolerances in a drawing.

Limit tolerances give the upper and lower

range for a dimension

Plus/minus tolerances give the nominal or

basic size and a plus and/or minus range for
the tolerance.

GD&T uses symbols to describe tolerance

zones based on geometric features.