Chapter 5

Key GD&T Terms

 Performance Objectives
Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to:
• Describe the terms “opposed,” “partially opposed,” and “non-
opposed”
• Describe the terms “size dimension” and “actual local size”
• Explain why it is important to distinguish between a feature and
a feature of size
• Describe the terms “feature” and “complex feature”,“feature of
size,” “regular feature of size,” and “irregular feature of size”
• Classify regular and irregular features of size and non-features
of size on a drawing
• Explain why it is important to distinguish between regular and
irregular features of size
 Performance Objectives (cont’d.)
• Describe the terms “feature” and “complex feature”
• Describe the terms “feature of size,” “regular feature of size,”
and “irregular feature of size”
• Classify regular and irregular features of size and non-features
of size on a drawing
• Explain why it is important to distinguish between regular and
irregular features of size
• Describe the terms “actual mating envelope,” “related actual
mating envelope,” and “unrelated actual mating envelope”
• Describe the terms “maximum material condition,” “least material
condition,” and “regardless of feature size”
• Describe “pattern” and list 8 ways to specify it in a drawing
 Definition
• Two planar surfaces are
completely opposed if all rays normal from each
planar surface intersects the other surface.
• Two surfaces are partially opposed if some of
the rays projected normal from each planar
surface intersect the other surface.
• Two surfaces are non-opposed if none of the
rays projected from each surface intersect the
other surface.
 Opposed, Partially Opposed, and Non-Opposed
Figure 5-1: Examples of Opposed,
Partially Opposed, and Non-Opposed.
 Size Dimension and Actual Local Size

Size Dimension – dimension across two opposed

or partially opposed surfaces, line elements, or
points
Actual Local Size – measured value of any
individual distance at any cross section of a
feature of size
Examples
 Feature and Complex Feature
Feature
• any surface on a part
Complex feature
• Single surface of compound curvature
• Collection of other features that constrains up
to six degrees of freedom
Examples
 Regular Feature of Size
Regular feature of size:
• Contains opposed (or partially opposed)
surfaces or element
• Establishes axis, center point, or center plane
• Directly tolerance-size dimension
• Cylindrical, spherical, circular, two opposed
elements (lines), or two opposed parallel
planes
 Irregular Feature of Size
Irregular feature of size
Directly tolerance- feature or collection of
features that may contain or be contained by:
• An actual mating envelope: that is a sphere,
cylinder, or pair of parallel planes
• An actual mating envelope: other than a sphere,
cylinder, or pair of parallel planes
 Classifying Regular and Irregular Features of
Size and Non-Features of Size
Regular features of size
• Opposed points provide actual local size
Irregular features of size
• Opposed points not required
• May be defined with coordinate tolerancing
• “UNSAFE” conditions must be considered
Non-feature of size dimensions
• Highly prone to “UNSAFE” conditions of coordinate tolerancing
Feature of Size Example
 Actual Mating Envelopes
Key features:
• Two types – related and unrelated
• A feature of size may have several actual
mating envelopes
• Variable value derived from the actual part
• Always outside the material; circumscribes or
inscribes applicable feature of size
Examples
 Axis and Center Plane
Axis
• straight line about which a geometric object
rotates
Center plane
• theoretical plane about which a geometric object
is equally disposed
 Maximum Material Condition, Least
Material Condition
Maximum material condition (MMC):
• Largest value for an external feature of size (e.g.,
shaft diameter)
• Smallest value for an internal feature of size (e.g.,
hole diameter)
Least material condition (LMC):
• Smallest value for an external feature of size
• Largest value for an internal feature of size
Examples
 Regardless of Feature Size

Figure 5-21: Regardless of Feature Size.

Example