KM1914

Engineering Graphics

Chapter 8
Dimensioning and Tolerances
Lecturers

Azli Arifin
Assoc Prof Dr Mariyam Jameelah

Section 8.1
Dimensioning

Before an object can be built, complete information about the size

and shape of the object must be available.
The exact shape of an object is communicated through
orthographic drawings, which are developed following standard
drawing practices.
The process of adding size information to a drawing is known as
dimensioning the drawing.
In order that size information is communicated as clearly as
possible, standard dimension practices have been established.
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 Communications is the fundamental purpose of dimensions.

Geometrics is the science of specifying and tolerancing the
shapes and locations of features on objects.
Once the shape of a part is defined with an orthographic
drawings, the size information is added also in the form of
dimensions.
Dimensioning a drawing also identifies the tolerance (or
accuracy) required for each dimension.
Dimensions and tolerance a medium in the design process.

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Engineering drawing (detail and assembly drawings)

8-4

Section 8.2
Size and Location Dimensions

Parts are dimensioned based on two criteria:

Basic size and locations of the features.
Details of a part's construction, for manufacturing.

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A dual-dimensioned drawing shows both millimeter and

decimal inch measurement

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Angular units shown in [decimal degree] or in [degree, minutes & seconds]

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Terminology in Dimensioning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Dimension is the numerical value that defines the size or geometric

characteristic of a feature.
Basic dimension is the numerical value defining the theoretically exact
size of a feature.
Reference dimension is the numerical value enclosed in parentheses
provided for information only and is not used in the fabrication of the part.
Dimension line is the thin solid line which shows the extent and direction
of a dimension. It is broken for insertion of dimension numbers.
Arrows are placed at the ends of dimension lines to show the limits of the
dimension and are uniform in size and style for any size of the drawing.
Extension line is the thin solid line perpendicular to a dimension line
indicating which feature is associated with the dimension.
Visible gap should be provided between the feature and the end of an
extension line.
Leader line is the thin solid line used to indicate the feature with which a
dimension, note, or symbol is associated.

Terminology in Dimensioning (continued)

9.

10.
11.

12.

13.

14.
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Limits of size is the largest acceptable size and the minimum acceptable
size of a feature. The largest acceptable size is expressed as the
maximum material condition (MMC) whereas the smallest acceptable size
is expressed as the least material condition (LMC).
Plus and minus dimensioning is the allowable positive and negative
variance from the dimension specified.
Diameter symbol () is the symbol which is placed preceding a
numerical value indicating that the dimension shows the diameter of a
circle.
Radius symbol (R) is the symbol which is placed preceding a numerical
value indicating that the associated dimension shows the radius of a
circle.
Tolerance is the amount a particular dimension is allowed to vary. All
dimensions have either an explicit or implicit tolerance associated with it;
i.e. it may be noted directly on the dimension or as a general note.
The datum is the theoretically exact point used as a reference for tabular
dimensioning.

Important element of a dimensional drawing

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Text height and standards used for decimal (inch) and millimeter
dimensioning

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Dimension used to draw an arrowhead

8-12

Size and location dimensions are used to describe parts for

manufacture
The location and
orientation of dimensions
are based on:
horizontal,
vertical,
radius (diameter)
angles

8-13

Dimensions showing the sizes of features, such as the height and

depth of the part and the diameter of the hole

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Dimension showing the location and orientation of features, such as

the location of the centre of the hole

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A part dimensioned using coordinate dimensions with a baseline or

datum surface as a starting point
In rectangular
coordinate dimensioning,
a base line is established
for each coordinate
direction.
This is known as datum
dimensioning, or baseline
dimensioning.
All dimensions are
calculated as X and Y
distances from an origin
point, usually placed at
the lower left corner of
the part..
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Dimension text placement

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Minimum dimension line spacing

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Group dimensions

8-19

Stagger dimension text

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Angling extension lines

8-21

Extension line practice

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Centre of a feature

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Dimension outside of view

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Using the symbol to dimension repetitive features

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Section 8.3
Detail Dimensioning

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Radial leader lines

- Virtual (red colour) dimension line must pass the centre of a circle

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Symbols for drilling operations

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Dimensioning a blind hole

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Dimensioning chamfers

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Dimensioning slots

8-31

Standard method of dimensioning keyways and keyseats

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Dimensioning concentric circles

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Dimensioning arcs

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Foreshortened leaders

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Section 8.4
Dimensioning Techniques

Contour dimensioning - the contours or shapes of the object are

dimensioned in their most descriptive view. For example, the radius of a
arc would be dimensioned where it appears as an arc and not as a hidden
feature.

Geometric breakdown - dimensioning a part is to break the part into its

geometric configurations; is used on objects made of geometric primitives,
such as prisms, cylinders, and spheres, or their derivatives such as half
spheres or negative cylinders (holes).

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Contour dimensioning - the contours or shapes of the object are dimensioned in

their most descriptive view. For example, the radius of a arc would be dimensioned
where it appears as an arc and not as a hidden feature.

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Geometric breakdown technique - dimensioning a part is to break the part into

its geometric configurations; is used on objects made of geometric primitives, such as
prisms, cylinders, and spheres; associated with 3D solid modelling.

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Object to be dimensioned

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Steps to create a dimensional drawing

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Steps to create a dimensional drawing

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Avoid over-dimensioning

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Dimension the most descriptive view

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Section 8.5
Tolerancing

Tolerances are used to control the amount of variation inherent in all

manufactured parts.
In particular, tolerances are assigned to mating parts in an assembly.
For example, the slot in the part must accommodate another part.
One of the great advantages of using tolerances is that it allows for
interchangeable parts, thus permitting the replacement of individual
parts.
Tolerance is the total amount a dimension may vary and is the
difference between the upper (maximum) and lower (minimum)
limits.

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Representing tolerance values

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Important Terms in Tolerancing; based on ANSI Y14.5M-1982

Nominal size a dimension used to describe the general size usually expressed
in common fractions.

Basic size the theoretical size used as a starting point for the application of
tolerances.

Actual size the measured size of the finished part after machining.
Limits the maximum and minimum sizes shown by the toleranced dimension.
Allowance the minimum clearance or maximum interference between parts.
Tolerance the total variance in a dimension which is the difference between
the upper and lower limits.

Maximum material condition (MMC) the condition of a part when it

contains the most amount of material (It is the upper limit for an external feature
such as a shaft and is the lower limit for an internal feature such as a hole).

Least material condition (LMC) the condition of a part when it contains

the least amount of material possible (It is the lower limit for an external feature
and is the upper limit for an internal feature).

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Toleranced parts and the important terms

8-47

Clearance and interference fits between two shafts and a hole

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Transition fit between a shaft and a hole

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Determining fits

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Terminology in Metric Tolerancing

Basic Size the size to which limits of deviation are assigned and are the same
for both parts.
Deviation the difference between the size of the part and the basic size.
Upper deviation the difference between the maximum limit of size and the
basic size.

Lower deviation the difference between the minimum limit of size and the
basic size.

Fundamental deviation the deviation closest to the basic size.

Tolerance the difference between the maximum and minimum size limits on
a part.

Tolerance zone the tolerance and its position in relation to the basic size.
International tolerance grade (IT) a group of tolerances which vary
depending on the basic size, but have the same level of accuracy with given grade.

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Hole basis the system of fits where the minimum hole size is the basic size.
Shaft basis the system of fits where the minimum shaft size is the basic size.

Important definitions used in metric tolerancing

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ANSI preferred metric sizes used for metric tolerancing

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Metric tolerance symbols

40H8 means:
40
H
8

The basic of 40 millimeters

An internal feature (hole)
A close running clearance fit

Three method of showing metric tolerance symbols

used for dimensions

Metric symbols and their definitions

8-54

The metric preferred hole basic system of fits

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The metric preferred shaft basic system of fits

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Description of preferred metric fits

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Determining the tolerance using the hole basis system

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Given: A shaft and a hole, the hole basis system, clearance fit and
the basic diameter 41 mm for the hole.

Solution: Assign the basic size of 40 mm to the shaft from the

preferred basic metric size. Assign sliding fit H7/g6.

Hole: Determine the upper and lower limits of the hole from ANSI
Standard (ANSI B.4-1978, R1984), using column H7 row 40.
From the table, the limits are 40.025 and 40.000.

Shaft: Determine the upper and lower limits of the shaft from
ANSI Standard (ANSI B.4-1978, R1984), using column g6 row 40.
From the table, the limits are 39.991 and 39.975.

ANSI Preferred Hole Basic Metric Clearance Fits (ANSI B.4-1975, R1984)

8-59

Standard methods of representing metric tolerances on drawings

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The basic hole shaft systems for applying

English unit tolerances to parts

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Applying tolerances for a clearance fit using the basic hole system

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Applying tolerances for an interference fit using

the basic hole system

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Applying tolerances for a clearance fit using the basic shaft system

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Section 8.6
Surface Texture

8-65

Surface texture symbols

8-66

Application of surface symbols to a simple part

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Surface texture values and related symbols

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Surface roughness produced by common production methods

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Section 8.7
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances (GDT)

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GDT Symbols

8-71

Feature control frame

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Section 8.8
Applying GDT in Design

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Shoulder bracket for shaft support

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Shoulder bracket with GDT symbols

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SUMMARY
Dimensioning is a method of accurately communicating size
information for objects and structures so that they can be
produced.
Dimensioning of mechanical devices follows standards established
by ANSI.
Many parts need to be dimensioned using toleranced values.
Tolerances allow a dimension to vary within limits. Toleranced
dimensions are especially useful in the accurate manufacture of
assembled parts.
Just as the clear communication about the shape of an object is
accomplished by following the standard principles and onventions
of orthographic projection, the clear communication about the size
of an object is accomplished through adherence to standard
dimensioning practices.
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QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. How are concentric circles best dimensioned?
2. Sketch the symbols for diameter, radius, depth, counterbore,
countersink, and square.
3. Where are these symbols placed with respect to their numerical
values?
4. What is the primary difference between counterbore and
spotface?
5. When is a small cross required at the center of a radius?
6. Define the depth of a blind hole.
7. When are angled extension lines used? Sketch an example.
8. When should extension lines be broken?
9. How is a reference dimension identified?
10. How can you tell if a dimension is out of scale (without
measuring the drawing)?
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QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

11. Write a note showing that a .25-inch deep .875-inch diameter hole is to be
repeated six times.
12. When is an arc dimensioned with a diameter, and when is one dimensioned
with a radius?
13. When should the word drill replace the word diameter when
dimensioning a hole?
14. What is the proper proportion of width to length of arrowheads?
15. What is the difference between limit dimensioning and plus and minus
dimensioning?
16. What is the term for the theoretical size of a feature?
17. Compare the thickness of dimension lines to object lines.
18. Compare the thickness of dimension lines to extension lines.
19. If two dimensioning guidelines appear to conflict, which guideline should
be followed?
20. Write a definition of what Rule 1 means for a drawing of a flat washer with
a 0.500 diameter ID, 1.000 diameter OD, and a thickness of 0.062. Use a
tolerance of plus or minus 0.005.
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