Dimensioning

Objectives
Importance
Objectives

After the class, the students should be able to:

• Explain the importance of dimensioning in engineering and geology
• Differentiate the different lines used in dimensioning
• Identify the parts of a drawing that need to be dimensioned
• Give specification of drawings using accepted dimensioning
techniques
What is dimensioning?

• Dimensioning is the technique in which the SIZE description of the

object is written in the drawing.
Why dimension?

• Drawings must be dimensioned so that production personnel in

widely separated places can make mating parts that will fit properly
when assembled, or when used as replacement parts.
• The dimensions in the drawing is the guide of inspectors on what
part of the real object to examine for quality assurance.
Lines used in dimensioning

• Dimension line
• Extension line
• Center line
Lines used in dimensioning

• Dimension line – a thin, dark, solid line terminated by arrowheads,

which indicates the direction and extent of a dimension. Broken in
middle to provide open space for the dimension numeral. The
dimension line to object should be at least 10mm away. Succeeding
lines are 6mm away from previous
Lines used in dimensioning

• Extension line – a thin, dark, solid line that “extends” from a point on
the drawing to which the dimension refers. Meets dimension lines at
right angles, except in special cases. 1.5mm should be left where the
extension line would join the object outline. Extended 3mm beyond
the outermost arrowhead.
Lines used in dimensioning

• Center line – a thin, dark line composed of alternate long and short
dashes, and is used to represent axes of symmetrical parts and to
denote centers. Commonly used as extension lines in locating holes
and other circular features. Crosses over other lines of the drawing
without gaps. Always end in a long dash.
Dimension figures

• Dimension letters and numerals follow the standard engineering

lettering.
• Legibility should never be sacrificed by crowding dimension figures
into limited spaces.
• Never letter a dimension figure over any line of the drawing, but
break the line if this becomes necessary. Place dimension figures
outside a sectioned area, if possible.
• In a group of parallel dimension lines, the numerals should be
staggered, and not stacked up one over the other.
Direction of dimension figures

• Unidirectional (preferred)
• All dimension figures and notes are lettered horizontally on the drawing
sheet, and are read from the bottom of the drawing.
• Aligned
• All dimension figures are aligned with the dimension lines so that they may
read from the right side of the sheet. Dimension lines in this system should
not run in the directions included in the shaded portion.
Dimensioning angles

• Angles are dimensioned, preferably, by means of an angle and a

linear dimension, or by means of coordinate dimensions of the two
legs of a right triangle. The coordinate dimension method is more
suitable for work requiring a high degree of accuracy
Dimensioning arcs

• A circular arc is dimensioned in the view in which its true shape is

shown by giving the numeral denoting its radius preceded by the
letter R. The center may be indicated by small crosses to clarify the
drawing, but not for small or unimportant radii. Crosses should not
be shown for undimensioned arcs. For long radius, when the center
falls outside the available space, the dimension line is drawn toward
the center; but false center may be indicated and the dimension line
“jogged” to it.
Dimensioning various shapes

• A triangular prism is dimensioned by giving the height, width, and

displacement of the top edge in the front view, and the depth in the
top view.
• A rectangular pyramid is dimensioned by giving the height in the
front view, and the dimensions of the base and the centering of the
vertex in the top view.
• A cone is dimensioned by giving its altitude and diameter of the base
in the triangular view. A frustum of a cone may be dimensioned by
giving the vertical angle and the diameter of one of the bases.
Another method is to give the length and the diameters of both ends
in the front view.
Dimensioning cylinders and holes

• The right circular cylinder is commonly seen as a shaft or a hole. The

general method of dimensioning a cylinder is to give both its
diameter and its length in the rectangular view.
• The use of a diagonal diameter in the circular view is not
recommended except in special cases when clearness is gained
thereby. The use of several diagonal diameters on the same center is
definitely confusing.
• Small cylindrical holes are usually dimensioned by the means of
notes specifying the diameter and the depth, with or without
manufacturing operations specifications
Additional notes

• The drawing should show the object in its completed condition and
should contain all necessary information to bring the drawing to its
final completed object.

• Do not give dimensions to points or surfaces that are not accessible

to the worker.
Additional notes

• Dimensions should not be duplicated or superfluous.

• Only those dimensions should be given that are needed to produce

and inspect the part exactly as intended by the designer.
Summary

• Dimensioning is an important feature of engineering drawing that

enables designers and manufacturers communicate about the
specifications of the object being fabricated

• Three different lines are used in dimensioning – dimension line,

extension line, and center line. These lines have different purposes
Summary

• There are standards to be followed in drawing the lines and writing

the figures. These include specifications on length, distance, size,
relative position, etc. of the lines and numerals.

• Dimensioning techniques depend on the drawing objects to be

dimensions. Some special shapes and features have standard parts to
be dimensioned
End of Lecture