Engineering drawing &

Graphics
Course Code: IE-113
Book: Engineering drawing with an introduction to AutoCAD
by Dhananjay A Jolhe
Chapter 03
Introduction
A drawing without dimensions is meaningless. Dimensions are
necessary to show the exact size of an object. Dimensioning refers to
the act of giving dimensions, i.e. length, width, height, diameter etc., of
an object. This information is provided by giving numeric values to
various features of the object on drawing. A feature is an individual
characteristic such as flat or cylindrical surface, a slot or groove, a taper,
a shoulder, a screw thread etc.
Dimension
Dimension is a numerical value expressed in appropriate units of measurement
and indicated graphically on technical drawings with lines, symbols and notes.
The important aspects of dimensioning are
Units of measurement: on technical drawing we need to show length and
angles. The most convenient unit for length is millimeter. Angles are shown in
degrees.
Symbols: symbols are incorporated to indicate specific geometry wherever
necessary.
Notes: notes are provided to give specification of a particular feature or to give
specific information necessary during the manufacturing of an object.
Elements of dimensioning
A line on the drawing whose length is to be shown is called an object line. The
object line is essentially an outline representing the feature of the object.
While showing the angle, the two lines forming the angles will be the object
lines.
Extension line
An extension line is a short line drawn perpendicular to an object line. These
lines start immediately or a few millimeters from the ends of the object lines
and extend a few millimeters beyond a dimension line.
Extension lines may be used to show an angle due to space constraint. In such
a case, extension lines are drawn parallel to and at the ends of object lines.
Elements of dimensioning
Elements of dimensioning
Dimension line
A dimension line is drawn between two extension lines parallel to the object line. As a rule
there must be one and only one dimension line between two extension lines. One dimension
line represents one dimension. While dimensioning an angle, a curved dimension line is
drawn by drawing a suitable arc having its center at the vertex of the angle.
Leader line
A leader line is a line which connects a note or a dimension with the feature to which it
applies. Leaders are drawn at suitable angles, preferably 30, 45 or 60 degrees and is never
drawn horizontal or vertical. One end of the leader carries an arrowhead which connects it to
the outline of the object. A dot is used instead of an arrowhead if leader ends inside the
object. The other end of the leader is made horizontal. A note or dimension is placed above
the horizontal portion of the leader. Leaders are frequently used to indicate the diameter or
radius of a circular feature.
Elements of dimensioning
Elements of dimensioning
Arrowheads
An arrowhead is drawn at each end of a dimension line. The tip of an
arrowhead touches the extension line. An arrowhead is also drawn at
the end of a leader, which points out the feature of an object. An
arrowhead may be open, closed, or closed and filled. The angle formed
by the bars of the arrowhead varies from 15 to 90 degrees. Sometimes
an oblique stroke drawn at 45 degree to the extension line is also used.
The size of an arrowhead should be proportional to the length of
dimension line.
Elements of dimensioning
Elements of dimensioning
Dimension
A dimension is a numeric value of length or angle expressed in a
specified units of measurement. Dimensions are placed near the
middle and above dimension lines or at the Centre of dimension lines
by breaking them. Since all the dimensions of a drawing are expressed
in the same unit, unit is not written after the dimension figure. Instead
a note ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN MM is written on a prominent place on
the drawing sheet. The dimension text should be same for all
dimensions.
Systems of dimensioning
Aligned System
In the aligned system dimensions are placed perpendicular to the dimension
line so that they may be read from the bottom or right hand side of the
drawing sheet. Dimensions are placed at the middle and on top of the
dimension lines.
Unidirectional System
In the unidirectional system. Dimensions are placed in such a way that they
can be read from the bottom edge of the drawing sheet. All horizontal
dimensions are placed at the middle and on the top of the dimension line
while vertical dimensions are inserted by breaking the dimension lines at the
middle.
Systems of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
Good dimensioning is identified by characteristics like, clearness,
completeness, readability and accuracy.
1. Between any two extension lines, there must be one and only one
dimension line bearing one dimension.
2. As far as possible, all dimension should be placed outside the views.
Inside dimensions are preferred only if they are clearer and more
easily readable.
3. All the dimensions on a drawing must be shown using either aligned
or unidirectional system. In no case should, the two systems be
mixed on the same drawing.
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
4. The same unit of length should be used for all dimensions on a
drawing.
Rules of dimensioning
5. Dimension lines should not cross each other. Dimension lines should
also not cross any other lines of the object. However extension lines
may cross each other or outlines of the object.
Rules of dimensioning
6. All dimensions must be given. As far as possible, there should not
be need for calculation, assumption or direct measurement for any
dimension.
7. Each dimension should be given only once. No dimension should be
redundant, no dimension should be repeated directly or indirectly.
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
8. Do not use an outline or a centerline as a dimension line. A
centerline may be extended to serve as an extension line.
9. When it is necessary to place a dimension within a sectioned area,
leave a blank space for the dimension.
10. Avoid dimensioning hidden lines.
11. Keep dimension lines 6-8 mm away from the object line and also
from each other.
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
12. If the space between two extension lines is too narrow to mark
arrowheads and the dimension, then one of the following ways,
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
13. For dimensions in series, adopt any of the following ways
i. Chain dimensioning (continuous dimensioning): all the dimensions are
aligned in such a way that an arrowhead of one dimension touches tip-
to-tip the arrowhead of the adjacent dimension. The overall dimension
is placed outside the other smaller dimensions.
ii. Parallel dimensioning (progressive dimensioning): all the dimensions
are shown from a common reference line. This method is adopted when
dimensions have to be established from a particular datum surface.
iii. Combined dimensioning: when both methods are used on a same
drawing.
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
Rules of dimensioning
14. Smaller dimensions should always be placed nearer the view. The
next smaller dimension should be placed next and so on. The overall
dimension should always be away from the view. This will avoid
crossing of the extension lines and dimension lines.
15. All notes should be written horizontally.
Dimensions of special features
Dimensioning of circular features
1. A circle should be dimensioned by giving its diameter instead of
radius. The dimension indicating the diameter should always be
preceded by a symbol Ф. A leader may be used if the space inside
the circle is insufficient to accommodate the dimension
Dimensioning of circular features
2. Circular holes should be dimensioned in the view in which they appear as
circles. The holes should always be located by their centerlines. If there exist
different categories of the holes, each category having same diameter holes
then dimensioning may be done by using reference letters and notes below
the view
3. Equi-spaced holes may be located as shown. The break line may be used if
there are a large number of holes n the uniform cross sectioned area.
4. An arc should be dimensioned by giving its radius. The dimension should be
preceded by the symbol R. As far as possible, the center of the arc should be
marked by a cross. The dimension line should pass through the center of the
cross. A leader may be used if space is insufficient. If the radius of the arc is too
small or too large center mark may be omitted.
Dimensioning of circular features
5. Cylindrical features should be dimensioned by giving their
diameters. As far as possible, they should be dimensioned in the
views in which they appear as rectangles. A cylinder may be
dimensioned as shown.
Dimensioning of spherical features
Spherical features may be dimensioned by giving either diameter or the
radius of the sphere. The symbol SR or SФ may precede the radius or
diameter respectively.
Dimensioning of conical and tapered features
1. Conical features are dimensioned as follows
i. By giving two diameters and the perpendicular distance between
them
ii. By giving one diameter, distance between the end faces and taper
using conical taper symbol. The taper is calculated by taking the
ratio of the difference between the diameters of the end faces and
the length of the taper
iii. By giving one of the diameters, length of the taper and taper angle
Dimensioning of conical and tapered features
2. The flat tapered features are dimensioned as follows
i. By giving the height of one side, distance between flat ends and
taper using flat taper symbol. The taper is calculated by taking the
ratio of the difference between the heights of the two flat ends and
the length of the taper
ii. By giving the height of one side, length of the taper and slope of
the tapered face,.
Dimensioning of square features
Square features are dimensioned using square symbol or SQ as shown.
if the true shape of the square is not seen in the view. Then cross lines
are used to indicate the square cross-section.
Dimensioning of chamfered features
1. External chamfers
2. Internal chamfers
Dimensioning of countersunk
Dimensioning of screw threads
1. External metric threads are dimensioned by giving the threaded
length and nominal diameter preceded by the symbol M
2. Internal metric threads are dimensioned by giving the threaded
length, depth of drilled hole before threading and nominal diameter
preceded by symbol M
Uses of notes
A note may be a general sentence applied to the entire or some part of
the drawing or a note may be specific sentence applied to a particular
feature. General notes are placed on a prominent place on the drawing
sheet. The height is kept between 4 to 8mm usually 6mm. Underlining
is avoided.
Specific notes are connected by leaders to the feature the imply. These
notes must have proper syntax. The height of the letters is kept
between 3 to 4mm.
Uses of notes in dimensioning
1. Circular hole: a hole of diameter 16, drilled to the depth of 25
2. Countersunk hole: a countersunk of root diameter 10, top diameter
17 and included angle 90 degrees
3. Spot face: a spot face of diameter 20 on a hole of diameter 10
4. Counterbore: a counterbore of root diameter 10, top diameter 20
and depth 10.
5. Keyway: keyway 4 wide x 3 deep
6. Saw cut: a sawcut of width 2
7. Repeated features: five slots, each of width 16 and depth 6.