GD&T
The Geometric Dimension and Tolerance (GD&T) is the set of standard which is used for defining the dimension and assembly feature of the product in engineering drawings, therefore it shows how the part / product functions. GD & T is use by the design engineers to show the function and requirements of the product, and what to be achieved from the manufacturing process itself. This tool is helps to every individuals to understand the design and drawings.
American Society for Mechanical Engineers {(ASME) Y14.5} – 1994 is the accepted geometric dimension and tolerances standard, which is followed by the designers to represent the product feature in engineering drawings. So it allow us to manufacture the product with accuracy and precision.
Symbols, Terms & Definitions of GD&T
Basic Dimension of GD&T
A numerical value is used to describe the theoretically exact size, profile, orientation, or location of a feature or datum target. It is the basis from which permissible variations are established by tolerances on other dimensions, in notes, or in feature control frames.
Datum
A theoretically exact point, axis, or plane derived from the true geometric counterpart of a specified datum feature. A datum is the origin from which the location or geometric characteristics of features of a part are established from the datum.
Datum Target
A specific line, or area on a part used to establish a datum.
Maximum Material Condition (MMC)
The condition in which a feature of size contains the maximum amount of material within the stated limits of size-for example, minimum hole diameter, maximum shaft diameter.
Least Material Condition (LMC)
The condition in which a feature of size contains the least amount of material within the stated limits of size-for example, maximum hole diameter, minimum shaft diameter.
Regardless of Feature Size (RFS)
The term is used to indicate that a geometric tolerance or datum reference applies at any increment of size of the feature within its size tolerance.
Feature Control Frame
The feature control frame consists of
A) type of control (geometric characteristic),
B) tolerance zone,
C) tolerance zone modifiers (i.e., MMC or RFS),
D) datum references if applicable and any datum reference modifiers.
Geometric Characteristics
Form Type
Flatness
A two dimensional tolerance zone, defined by two parallel planes within which the entire surface must lie.
Straightness
A condition where an element of a surface or an axis is a straight line.
Circularity
A condition on a surface of revolution (cylinder, cone, sphere) where all points of the surface intersected by any plane perpendicular to a common axis (cylinder, cone) or passing through a common center (sphere) are equidistant from the axis of the center.
Cylindricity
A condition on a surface of revolution in which all points of the surface are equidistant from a common axis.
Orientation Type
Perpendicularity (squareness)
The condition of a surface, axis, median plane, or line which is exactly at 90 degrees with respect to a datum plane or axis.
Angularity
The distance between two parallel planes, inclined at a specified basic angle in which the surface, axis, or center plane of the feature must lie.
Parallelism
The condition of a surface or axis which is equidistant at all points from a datum of reference.
Location Type
True Position
A zone within the center axis/center plane of a feature of size is permitted to vary from its true position. It is the total permitted variation of the feature, from its true position.
Concentricity
A cylindrical tolerance zone whose axis coincides with the datum axis and within which all cross-sectional axes of the feature being controlled must lie. (note: this is very expensive and time consuming to measure. Recommended that you try position or runout as an alternative tolerance). 3-Dimensional cylindrical tolerance zone.
Profile Type
Profile of a Line
A uniform two-dimensional zone is limited by two parallel zone lines extending along the length of a feature. Profile of line is measured by using the gauge which is exact the true profile of same feature.
Profile of a Surface
A uniform three-dimensional zone is contained between two envelope surfaces separated by the tolerance zone across the entire length of a surface. It is the profile of surface and mostly measured by using the CMM,
Runout Type
Runout
A composite tolerance used to control the relationship of one or more features of a part to a datum axis during a full 360 degree rotation about the datum axis. So, each circular element of the feature/part must be within the runout tolerance.
Total Runout
A composite tolerance used to control the relationship of one or more features of a part to a datum axis during a full 360 degree rotation about the datum axis. Now it is measure by fixing all datum and rotate the part with axis and measure the deviation of runout.
