Chapter 25

Positional Tolerancing
The essential requirement is to be able to define the
limits for location of actual features, e.g., axes, points,
median surfaces and nominally plane surfaces, relative
to each other or in relation to one or more datums.
To accurately achieve this aim, it is essential that
the primary constituents, theoretically exact dimen-
sions, tolerance zones, and datums are utilized. The
tolerance zone is symmetrically disposed about its
theoretically exact location.
Utilizing these primary constituents ensures posi-
tional tolerances do not accumulate when dimensions
are arranged in a chain, as would be the case if the
feature pattern location were to be specified by coor-
dinate tolerances.
Note: The practice of locating groups of features by
positional tolerancing and their pattern location
by coordinate tolerances is no longer recommended by
BS 8888 and BS EN ISO 5458.
Figure 25.1 illustrates the advantage of specifying
a circular tolerance zone to a feature located by posi-
etc., and also differentiates between ‘ideal’ and other
toleranced dimensions. True-position dimensions are
always shown ‘boxed’ on engineering drawings; they are
never individually toleranced, and must always be
accompanied by a positional or zone tolerance for the
feature to which they are applied.
The positional tolerance is the permitted deviation
of a feature from a true position.
The positional-tolerance zone defines the region
which contains the extreme limits of position and can
be rectangular, circular, cylindrical, etc.
Typical Product Requirement
In the examples shown in Figs 25.2 and 25.3 the hole
axis must lie within the cylindrical tolerance zone fixed
by the true-position dimensions.
15 Thickness

tional tolerancing. Note that the shaded tolerance area

represents an increase of more than 57%.
25

Theoretically Exact Dimensioning (TED)

(True-position)
Copyright © 2012. Elsevier Science & Technology. All rights reserved.

True-position dimensioning defines the exact location on Cylindrical tolerance

a component of features such as holes, slots, keyways, zone Ø0.05
FIGURE 25.2 Product requirement.
Ø0, 1

0, 07
15
25

Positional
tolerance

Ø24
Ø0.05

FIGURE 25.1 FIGURE 25.3 Drawing instruction.

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Copyright E.,2012
& Simmons, C. (2012).
Elsevier Ltd. Manual
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 220 Manual of Engineering Drawing

Some advantages of using this method are that:
1. interpretation is easier, since true boxed dimensions
fix the exact positions of details;
2. there are no cumulative tolerances;
3. it permits the use of functional gauges to match the
mating part;
4. it can ensure interchangeability without resorting to
small position tolerances, required by the coordi-
nate tolerancing system;
5. the tolerancing of complicated components is
simplified;
6. positional-tolerance zones can control squareness
and parallelism.
The following examples show some typical cases
where positional tolerances are applied to engineering
drawings.
Case 1 (Figs 25.4 and 25.5)
The axes of the four fixing holes must be contained
within cylindrical tolerance zones of 0.03 diameter.
Ø0.03
20
Case 2 (Figs 25.6 and 25.7)
The axes of the four fixing holes must be contained
within rectangular tolerance zones 0.04
0.02.
In cases 3 and 4, the perpendicularity and coaxial
symbols shown are constituents of the position char-
acteristic, and could have been indicated by the posi-
tion symbol equally as well.
Case 3
Figure 25.8 shows a component where the outside
diameter at the upper end is required to be square and
coaxial within a combined tolerance zone with face A
and diameter B as the primary and secondary datums.
Case 4
In the component illustrated in Fig. 25.9, the three-
dimensional features are required to be perfectly
square to the datum face A, and also truly coaxial with
each other in the maximum material condition.
0.04
0.02

20
20

20
25 25 25
25
FIGURE 25.4 Case 1: Product requirement. FIGURE 25.6 Case 2: Product requirement.
Copyright © 2012. Elsevier Science & Technology. All rights reserved.

4 × Ø10
4 × Ø10
Ø0.03
0.04

0.02
20

20
20

20

25 25 25 25

FIGURE 25.5 Case 1: Drawing instruction. FIGURE 25.7 Case 2: Drawing instruction.

Simmons, C. H., Maguire, D. E., & Simmons, C. (2012). Manual of engineering drawing : Technical product specification and documentation to british and international standards.
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 Chapter | 25 Positional Tolerancing 221

50.02 6 cylindrical tolerance

Ø50.00 zones 0.25 dia.
Ø0.05 A B

Ø50

FIGURE 25.8 Case 3.

10.1 FIGURE 25.10 Case 5: Product requirement.

Ø10.0

Ø0 M
Ø0 M A 5.018
6 × Ø5.000
Ø0.25 M

20.01
Ø20.00
A
40.1
Ø50
Ø40.0

FIGURE 25.9 Case 4.

Case 5 (Figs. 25.10 and 25.11)

The six boltholes on the flange in Fig. 25.10 must have
their centres positioned within six tolerance zones of
Ø ¼ 0.25 when the boltholes are at their maximum
material condition (i.e. minimum limit of size).
Copyright © 2012. Elsevier Science & Technology. All rights reserved.

Note in Fig. 25.11 that all the features in the group

have the same positional tolerance in relation to each FIGURE 25.11 Case 5: Drawing instruction.
other. This method also limits in all directions the rela-
tive displacement of each of the features to each other.

Case 6 (Figs. 25.12 and 25.13) 4 cylindrical tolerance

zones 0.25 dia. in true
position relative to
The group of holes in Fig. 25.12, dimensioned with Datum face B and
a positional tolerance, is also required to be positioned Datum axis A
with respect to the datum spigot and the face of the Datum
face B
flange.
Note in Fig. 25.13 that the four holes and the spigot
are dimensioned at the maximum material condition. It
Axis of
follows that, if any hole is larger than 12.00, it will Ø80
datum A
have the effect of increasing the positional tolerance
for that hole. If the spigot is machined to less than FIGURE 25.12 Case 6: Product requirement.

Simmons, C. H., Maguire, D. E., & Simmons, C. (2012). Manual of engineering drawing : Technical product specification and documentation to british and international standards.
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 222 Manual of Engineering Drawing

12.25 4 × Ø15
4 × Ø12.00 Ø0,2 A B C
Ø0.25 M B A M
A Ø0,01 A

50.05
Ø50.00
B
Ø100

Ø40
Ø35
Ø15
Ø80 A

26
B

FIGURE 25.13 Case 6: Drawing instruction.

13
50.05, then the positional tolerance for the four holes 15 30
as a group will also increase. C

FIGURE 25.15 Case 8: Drawing instruction.

Case 7 and the cylindrical tolerance must lie perpendicular to

Figure 25.14 shows a drawing instruction where the datum A and also be located in their theoretical exact
group of equally spaced holes is required to be posi- positions to each other and to datums B and C.
tioned relative to a coaxial datum bore. Note that in product requirement drawings, Figs
25.16 and 25.17, simulated datums A, B, and C are
7.1
numbered 1, 2, and 3.
6 × Ø7.0
Ø0.1 M A M
Ø0,01
90
°

26

90
°
90

°
90
°

13

3 15 30 3
Copyright © 2012. Elsevier Science & Technology. All rights reserved.

50.5
Ø70 FIGURE 25.16 Case 8: Product requirement.
Ø49.5
A

FIGURE 25.14 Case 7: Drawing instruction.

90 2 Ø0,2
°

Case 8
Figure 25.15 shows a drawing instruction where
26

90 90
a pattern of features is located by positional toleranc- ° °
°
90

ing. Each specific requirement is met independently.

The product requirement in Fig. 25.16 shows that the
13

axis of each of the four holes is required to lie within 1

a cylindrical tolerance of Ø ¼ 0.01. The positional 15 30
3 3
tolerance zones are located in their theoretically exact
FIGURE 25.17 Case 8
positions to each other and perpendicular to datum A.
In Fig. 25.17, the axis of each of the four holes must Further information may be obtained with reference
lie within the cylindrical tolerance zone of Ø ¼ 0.2 to BS EN ISO 5458.

Simmons, C. H., Maguire, D. E., & Simmons, C. (2012). Manual of engineering drawing : Technical product specification and documentation to british and international standards.
Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Created from inholland on 2019-02-18 01:08:51.