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GD&T Fundamentals
About Who should attend:
All those who use GD&T to design, produce and inspect parts: mechanical
Training engineers, designers, managers, production planners, inspectors, machinists,
Software supplier quality personnel, etc.
GD&T Resources
The Need:
GD&T Store A concurrent engineering team equipped with the proper tools has the ability to
shorten time to market, reduce engineering changes and create a robust quality
design. Design decisions should be optimized for quality cost and delivery at the
sketch phase when an engineering change costs a few cents rather than hundreds
or thousands of dollars months later. The drawing is the common thread of the
concurrent engineering team.
This is the first in a series of seminars that presents understandable user friendly
tools that may be used by your entire team to get it right the first time. By using
these methods, design decisions are based on fact rather than emotion and past
practices.
http://www.tec-ease.com/gdt-fundamentals.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Fundamentals Page 2 of 2
Datums Coplanarity
Six Degrees of Freedom Applications
Datums Position
Datum Features Composite Position
Simulators Implied Conditions
Symbol Placement Symmetry
Datum Precedence Coaxial Features
Datum Targets
A Comparison of
Datum Guidelines
Virtual Condition
Runout
Free State
Concentricity
Additional Information: Fixed and Floating Fasteners
Customizing is available Floating Fastener
We prefer working with your Fixed Fastener
prints when possible Projected Tolerance Zone
Free phone, FAX or email
consultation is available
following the course
All courses are taught in
accordance with the American
National Standards unless
requested otherwise
Max says -
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http://www.tec-ease.com/gdt-fundamentals.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Actual Mating Envelope Page 1 of 1
An additional tolerance, often called Bonus tolerance, is permitted when a position tolerance is modified at maximum material
condition (MMC) and the actual mating envelope of the feature has departed from the MMC.
In these illustrations, the part is black and the actual mating envelope is red.
For an internal feature such as a hole or slot:
Note: The Actual Mating Envelope must be oriented relative to the specified Datums. When an inspector merely uses the
size of a feature to calculate the bonus tolerance, out of spec parts may be accepted.
If a hole, for instance, has the following size and geometric control, and the hole measures .502. It would be incorrect to use a
bonus tolerance of .003 (.502 - .499(MMC)) if the hole is not perfectly oriented to the Datums. If the hole is out of perpendicular
to datum A by .002, for instance, the bonus that may be used is reduced by that amount. The bonus would be merely .001 and
the allowable position tolerance = .016.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/august-97.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Angularity Page 1 of 1
When setting up a part for the measurement of angularity on a sine bar, it is difficult to orient the part before performing the
inspection.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-00.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tip - Angularity Does Not Locate - Use Profile of a Surface Page 1 of 1
A common error on drawings is to apply only angularity to features that are not
perpendicular or parallel to the datum reference frame. The most important characteristic
to control is location. Position locates features of size. Profile of a surface is the only
geometric tolerance that locates surfaces. The orientation tolerances of perpendicularity,
parallelism and angularity never locate features. The angled surfaces on this part, for
instance, need to be located relative to the datum reference frame. If only angularity had
been applied, the drawing would be incomplete. Profile of a surface locates the surfaces in
addition to controlling the angularity. If the orientation of these surfaces needs to be better
than the orientation provided by the profile of a surface tolerance, an angularity tolerance
may be added as a refinement. Locate first-refine second.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-07.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tip - ASME Y14.5-2009 Revision Page 1 of 1
By getting up to speed on the 2009 revision of Y14.5 you will learn of the changes which:
Add new concepts and symbols to clarify the meaning of the drawing
Clarify concepts found in the 1994 Standard
Extend principles found in the 1994 Standard
Resolve differences or discrepancies found in the current Standard
Incorporate concepts from other Y14 standards
Reference Y14.41, the standard that nables the tolerancing of 3-D models and reduced dimension drawings
In addition to the 7 new symbols we now have a way to override datum precedence. There are new categories of features such as irregular features of size, continuous and complex
features. There are new tolerance zone definitions and new ways to apply old symbols.
There is way too much to cover in a Tip. So, my tip to you is—contact Tec-Ease, Inc., to get updated to the new revision of the Y14.5 standard through our seminars, computer based
training, on-line training and of course our books, pocket guide and wall chart.
We also offer the new revision of the Standard in an electronic form that keeps the text and graphics together and has extensive link and search capabilities. It is titled The Y14.5 Standard-
Ease® 2009. You can learn more at http://www.tec-ease.com/09standard.htm.
Back to GD&T Tips
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/march-09.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Basic Dimensions Page 1 of 1
When GD&T is used, the geometric tolerances apply to the features - not the dimensions. Therefore when BASIC dimensions are
used with geometric tolerances, several different dimensioning schemes may be used without changing the meaning of the drawing.
The first drawing below is an example of baseline dimensioning. The other two illustrate chain dimensioning. Since the position
tolerance is related to datums A, B and C, all three drawings have the same meaning even though the dimensioning is different. This
would not be true if the dimensions locating the holes were toleranced rather than BASIC. Because the meaning of these drawings is
the same, the designer should consider the needs of those who will read the print when placing dimensions.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/april-99.htm 7/28/2009
ASME Y14.41 - 2003 - Learn to deal with Basic Dimensions Page 1 of 2
Here is a drawing made in accordance with the ASME Y14.41-2003 standard. Any dimensions not shown may be determined
by making queries of the digital model.
Digital product data definition, reduced dimension drawings and paperless part definition will continue to grow in popularity.
The sooner organizations embrace geometric tolerancing and use toleranced dimensions primarily for size, the sooner
technology in this area will advance.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/july-06.htm 7/28/2009
ASME Y14.41 - 2003 - Learn to deal with Basic Dimensions Page 2 of 2
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/july-06.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Boundaries Page 1 of 1
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/march-99.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Boundaries Page 1 of 1
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/march-99.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Centerlines Page 1 of 1
Many past Tips have illustrated dimensioning from and to center lines. There continues to be questions about when it is
okay to dimension with center lines and when it is not appropriate. Dimensions may be to and from center lines on a
drawing if the dimensions are basic and the center line is representing the:
In all of these cases if direct tolerancing is used, confusion may result. There is no reason to have this confusion except to
fall back on “that’s the way we’ve always done it”. If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve
always got. In other words, you will never improve. The drawing below shows the common correct application of
dimensions to center lines. In every case the dimensions to and from the center lines are basic.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/july-02.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Circularity Page 1 of 1
Here is a question that comes up from time to time. "How can the circularity error be as large as the total size tolerance since circularity
error is a radial tolerance?" The reason is that the LMC and MMC size limits of a feature of size are not coaxial values. The total size
tolerance on the inside diameter of 60.71 is 0.06mm. The figure at the bottom illustrates an extreme case where the hole would just accept
a 60.68 (MMC) full form check while at some cross sections the LMC size of 60.74 was not violated. Therefore, size is verified. The
circularity error of this particular feature is 0.06, the total size tolerance, since the circularity tolerance zone is comprised of two concentric
circles. The size of the circles defining the circularity error could be 60.68 and 60.8 as illustrated. If this isn't desireable, a circularity
tolerance with a value less than 0.6 Could be added to refine the circularity control provided by the limits of size. In this case, a 0.025
circularity tolerance was added.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/november-04.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Concentricity and Coaxiality Controls Page 1 of 3
With so many options it is no wonder that many people find the differences hard to understand. Each control has its place,
although some are more difficult and time consuming than others. By comparing sample inspection methods, the differences
may become clearer. This month's tip will illustrate the differences between position and concentricity. Next month's tip will
continue with the runout tolerances and profile.
Position may use the MMC and LMC modifiers on the tolerance and Datum references. The illustration below shows a
possible gage (ignoring gage tolerance and wear allowance) that could be used when MMC is the modifier. If the sizes are
within the size tolerances but the part doesn't fit the gage, the features position (coaxiality) is out of spec. This type of control
works well when the main concern is the assembly of this part to another. The gage may usually be thought of as representing
the worst mating part.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Concentricity and Coaxiality Controls Page 2 of 3
According to the ASME Y14.5M-1994 Standard, when no modifiers are present, the implied condition is regardless of feature
size as shown below. In this case, the axis of the datum feature and the feature being controlled must be determined to find
the error in coaxiality. Although this control may be applied to bearings and dynamic balance applications, the job can usually
be accomplished at a lower overall cost by using one of the runout controls.
All of the coaxiality controls are intended to control concentric features. For that reason, many designers and engineers
choose concentricity. Unfortunately, concentricity ignores the size, roundness and cylindricity of the feature. It requires that
the inspector derive a median line (see the June 1997 Tip-of-the-Month). In a situation where you don't care about the size,
roundness or cylindricity of the feature, concentricity may be specified. In thirty plus years of reviewing mechanical designs, I
have never found a design where this is truly the case. The closest application, perhaps, is when dynamic balance is needed.
In such a case, measuring a part statically does not assure dynamic balance if the material is not homogeneous. If dynamic
balance is required, a dynamic balancing note is probably in order rather than concentricity. For that reason, I often use the
line, "When in Doubt, Use Runout."
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Concentricity and Coaxiality Controls Page 3 of 3
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Composite Tolerancing Page 1 of 3
When datum references are repeated in the second segment of a composite or single segment control, the meaning is
different.
The tolerance in the upper segment of a composite tolerance is located by all applicable basic dimensions. On the drawing
above, the red tolerance is located by the red dimensions.
The lower segment of a composite tolerance does not use the basic dimensions which originate at the datums. Only the basic
dimensions within the pattern are applicable. If a datum is repeated, it indicates that the orientation of the pattern must be held
to the tighter tolerance. In this case, the perpendicularity to datum A must be within 0.2 and the pattern of two holes may not
tilt more than 0.2 relative to datum B.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/december-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Composite Tolerancing Page 2 of 3
You will now notice that there are two position symbols being used. This callout is not composite. It is called two single
segments. The upper segment has the same meaning as the upper segment of the composite callout shown earlier. The
lower segment, however, improves the location as well as the orientationof the feature(s) relative to the datums referenced in
the second sement. Notice that the 19mm dimension from datum B is shown in red. The pattern must be positioned at the
19mm dimension from B within 0.2 total even though the pattern may be out of position as much as 0.6 total relative to datum
C.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/december-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Composite Tolerancing Page 3 of 3
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/december-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Concentricity and Coaxiality Controls Page 1 of 3
With so many options it is no wonder that many people find the differences hard to understand. Each control has its place,
although some are more difficult and time consuming than others. By comparing sample inspection methods, the differences
may become clearer. This month's tip will illustrate the differences between position and concentricity. Next month's tip will
continue with the runout tolerances and profile.
Position may use the MMC and LMC modifiers on the tolerance and Datum references. The illustration below shows a
possible gage (ignoring gage tolerance and wear allowance) that could be used when MMC is the modifier. If the sizes are
within the size tolerances but the part doesn't fit the gage, the features position (coaxiality) is out of spec. This type of control
works well when the main concern is the assembly of this part to another. The gage may usually be thought of as representing
the worst mating part.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Concentricity and Coaxiality Controls Page 2 of 3
According to the ASME Y14.5M-1994 Standard, when no modifiers are present, the implied condition is regardless of feature
size as shown below. In this case, the axis of the datum feature and the feature being controlled must be determined to find
the error in coaxiality. Although this control may be applied to bearings and dynamic balance applications, the job can usually
be accomplished at a lower overall cost by using one of the runout controls.
All of the coaxiality controls are intended to control concentric features. For that reason, many designers and engineers
choose concentricity. Unfortunately, concentricity ignores the size, roundness and cylindricity of the feature. It requires that
the inspector derive a median line (see the June 1997 Tip-of-the-Month). In a situation where you don't care about the size,
roundness or cylindricity of the feature, concentricity may be specified. In thirty plus years of reviewing mechanical designs, I
have never found a design where this is truly the case. The closest application, perhaps, is when dynamic balance is needed.
In such a case, measuring a part statically does not assure dynamic balance if the material is not homogeneous. If dynamic
balance is required, a dynamic balancing note is probably in order rather than concentricity. For that reason, I often use the
line, "When in Doubt, Use Runout."
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Concentricity and Coaxiality Controls Page 3 of 3
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/february-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Cpk Page 1 of 1
The question of calculating Cpk on geometric tolerances modified at MMC and LMC continues to come up. Last month's Tip
showed how to inspect features of size where the geometric tolerance is modified at MMC or LMC without having to find the
axis or center plane. The geometric tolerance in these cases is a single limit control. Once that is realized, it is easy to
calculate a Cpk index on such geometric tolerances. In this case, polar measurements are made to assure that the surface of
the hole does not violate the inner boundary. The inner boundary is 20 - 0.1 - 0.6 = Ø19.3. The surface of the hole may not be
closer to the basic location than R9.65mm which is the radius of the inner boundary. Recording the distribution of the closest
point relative to the inner boundary of corresponding holes on multiple parts, provides the data necessary to calculate Cpk of
the process for the position tolerance of each hole. Any $15 calculator with statistical functions may be used to calculate the
average of the data, a standard deviation and the resulting Cpk.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/november-03.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Cylindricity Inspection Page 1 of 1
Cylindricity is one of the more challenging tolerances to inspect. It requires isolating the feature from the rest of the part since there
can never be a datum referenced with cylindricity. In this example, the cylindricity has been applied to 5 features. Cylindricity is an
individual control. Therefore, each feature is inspected independent of the others. An electronic probe gathers many points on the
surface. A computer then evaluates the points to fit them between two concentric cylinders that may not have a radial separation
greater than 0.02. The actual size, location and orientation of the feature are ignored. Cylindricity is a composite of circularity,
surface straightness and taper.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/december-04.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tip -Add a Note to Expand a Pattern for Composite Tolerancing Page 1 of 2
Some folks think that composite tolerancing cannot be applied to a pattern of holes that
have different sizes. When they have a group of holes of different sizes to control as a
pattern it is not uncommon to locate one hole, make it a datum feature and control the
other holes relative to that new datum feature. In this case, to guarantee a close fit, a
refinement of perpendicularity is also required. Technically, this approach is OK. However,
it does require a new set-up to inspect the part as well as the additional perpendicularity
tolerance. The first drawing shows this approach
Another approach is shown on the second drawing. Here all three holes are made a single pattern by the note, 3 HOLES. This
approach gives the desired fit in the assembly while eliminating a set-up to establish an auxiliary datum reference frame and
an additional inspection of the perpendicularity refinement on the larger hole.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/aug-08.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tip -Add a Note to Expand a Pattern for Composite Tolerancing Page 2 of 2
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GD&T Tip -Datum Features Must Be Referenced to Be Used Page 1 of 2
There continues to be the misconception that if a feature is labeled as a datum feature, its
use is somehow implied. Take the drawing shown. The position tolerance on the hole
references datum features A and B but not C. Therefore the hole must be perpendicular to
the plane established by datum feature A and 20 mm from the axis established by datum
feature B. Datum feature C has nothing to do with the position of the hole. Yes, the hole is
shown on a centerline that is perpendicular to datum feature C. So, we know what the goal
is. But, since datum feature C was not referenced in the position tolerance, there is no limit
to how far the hole can be off the 90° angle. A couple of possible, acceptable parts are
shown.
In order to avoid this, all you have to do is add datum feature C to the position tolerance.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/may-07.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tip -Datum Features Must Be Referenced to Be Used Page 2 of 2
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/may-07.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Datum Page 1 of 1
Datums Are Mutually Perpendicular - Even When the Datum Features Are Not.
It isn't always possible or practical to select datum features that are mutually perpendicular to one another when establishing a
datum reference frame. Notice that datum feature C is not nominally perpendicular to datum feature B. The datum feature
simulator for C would be made at 35° to the datum feature simulator for B (shown here in red). The actual datum planes
(shown in blue), which comprise the datum reference framework, would however be mutually perpendicular to one another as
is illustrated in the last figure. The deviation of the hole from the 55mm BASIC location would be measured from the third
datum plane-not from the sharp point on the actual part.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/january-01.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Datum Page 1 of 2
When datum features are modified at MMC or LMC, the datum feature and the features being controlled may be able to shift relative to the datum
axis or centerplane. On the drawing shown below, datum feature B, in the position callout of the four hole pattern, is modified at MMC. This
means the datum simulator for datum feature B would have a theoretical design size of 19.6.
Since the actual datum feature could be produced as large as 20.2, the datum
feature could shift as much as 0.6 total. This means the four-hole pattern may
shift out of position in one direction while the datum feature shifts in the other
direction as shown. A very common error made at inspection is to use this
allowed datum shift as a bonus on the features being controlled. This would allow
the features to be out of position to each other more as the datum feature
departs from MMC. This practice does not agree with the drawing or a hard
gage, should one be produced.
http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/november-98.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tips - Datum Page 2 of 2
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GD&T Tip - Keeping Features In-Line Requires a Geometric Tolerance Page 1 of 1
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/oct-08.htm 7/28/2009
GD&T Tip - Keeping Features In-Line Requires a Geometric Tolerance Page 1 of 1
Where a primary or
secondary datum axis
is established, it is
usually necessary to
orient the mutually
perpendicular datum
planes that intersect
at the datum axis.
Although most folks
understand that the
datum planes need to
be oriented, they
often do not agree on how this should be accomplished.
There are two approaches used to orient these datum planes using
the simulator for datum feature B.
The second way is to first fill the slot with parallel planes and then
rotate the center plane of these planes to orient the datum planes.
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http://www.tec-ease.com/tips/jan-09.htm 7/28/2009