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Concentricity - The Confusion Goes On and On

The following complies with ASME Y14.5M-94 and 2009 editions and not the ISO standard.
Concentricity, similar to circular amd total runout, applies to small coaxial cylindrical features when one
attempting to control their centres or the relationship between the features. If the feature cannot be placed in
chuck, then circular runout, total runout or concentricity should not be used.
Does concentricity reflect the centre line distance between
the datum centre line and the feature centre line? Is it
the circular or total runout of one (1) feature to the other?
When one hears conversations about concentricity, are
people talking about the positional tolerances of one (1)
feature relative to the datum or, maybe, circular runout or
total runout?
Concentricity confuses most of us.
In our example, we have a concentricity of a diametrical
tolerance zone of 0.4 mm of the 15 mm diameter feature
relative to the centre line created from the 10 mm
diameter shown on this drawing as datum D.
Concentricity is always reflected with a diametrical tolerance zone as show
and both features MUST be cylindrical and share the same centre.
About the actual centre of the 10 mm
diameter datum D, we have a
diametrical tolerance zone of 0.4 mm.
In other words, the feature cannot move
off centre more than 0.2 mm which is half the diametrical tolerance zone of
0.4. Some people call this a "radial tolerance".
The ASME Y14.5M - 94 definition of concentricity states that:

"concentricity is the medium points of diametrically

opposed elements and the datum centre line".
Medium points of diametrically opposed elements - is the that same as centre line of the feature? Let's review t
feature (diameter of 15 mm in our example) to reflect that differences between the centre line of the feature a
medium points of diametrically opposed elements.

Centre Line of the Feature

In our first example, the feature is relatively round. If one chucked on the feature
and used a dial indicator on a stand and rotated the part, there would be very little
movement. The centre line is the centre of the chuck.

Medium Points of Diametrically Opposed Elements

Here we have two (2) pairs of diametrically opposed elements to arrive at the mediu
point. This is quite difficult to perform with any degree of confidence but the best meth
would be the usage of tool room equipment such as a granite table, chuck (divider hea
and dial indicator on a stand.
One would chuck on datum D using our example. Take the dial indicator/stand and mo
it along the granite table until the dial indicator spherical contact is at the highest point
the feature. This would be the centre of the feature. Zero off the indicator.
Now rotate the part until one finds either the
highest lowest reading. Record the reading and then
rotate the part 180 degrees (diametrically opposed
elements). Take the reading here.
If the highest reading was + 0.26 mm and the
lowest was - 0.22 (taken 180 from the highest

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reading), we have a TIR (total indicator reading) or a FIM (full indicator reading) of 0.48. Divide this value by tw
(2) and we achieve a median point of 0.24 mm.
If the tolerance is diametrically 0.4 mm or radially 0.2 mm, our actual value is higher so the feature is not
specification.
It is best to take a minimum of three (3) reading in various locations - one the end, centre and close to the datu
feature.
Let's say that we did confirm concentricity in three (3) locations with the following readings:
On the end - + 0.15 and - 0.15 (medium point is 0.15)
In the centre - + 0.12 and - 0.14 (medium point is 0.13)
Close to the datum feature - + 0.26 and - 0.22 ( medium point is 0.24)
One always reports the worst condition and in this example, the medium point is 0.24 mm which turns out to
nonconforming.

When the feature is "round", the medium points and the centre line of th
feature would the same.
Feature is Elliptical
If the feature was elliptical (within size specification) as shown in this example,
the centre line of the feature and the medium points would, again, be the same.
Concentricity would not catch an elliptical condition such as shown.
We could have the centre line and also the medium points being the same and
they could also be in alignment with the datum centre line. Concentricity could
possibly be zero (0) in this situation.
Now we do have a problem. The feature is not round and not elliptical.
If one wanted to find the centre of the feature, take a number of contacts using
CMM to arrive at the best fit diameter and then its centre. It is quite possible th
the indentation shown on this feature may be missed altogether. Remember tha
CMM allows the Operator to take a number of reading around the feature but do
not contact 100% of the surface.
Even it the CMM contact did, indeed, contact the
indentation and the reading is one (1) of twelve (12) readings, the computer software
would average out the readings to arrive at the best fit centre line. The centre line and
medium point would still be different.
The medium point is different. We contact the
indentation using the dial indicator and then its
diametrically opposed element and one can see that
there is a shift away from the centre of the feature.
Medium points of diametrically opposed elements are, again, best performed
using a dial indicator/stand with the part located on datum D in a chuck rather than
CMM.

In our example, the indentation is - 0.15 mm while the diametrically opposite side
appears to be zero (0). The median point here would be calculated to be 0.075 mm
(shifted down) while the centre of the feature could be very close to zero (0).
In another example, we have
found that the medium point is
0.15 mm from the centre line of
the datum
We have found this value by rotating the part as previou
described accruing a TIR (total indicator reading) or FIM (f
indicator movement) of 0.3 mm. Dividing this value by two
provides a medium point of 0.15 mm.

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The feature, in this example, is within tolerances since the requirement is a diametrical tolerance of 0.4 mm o
radial tolerance of 0.2 mm.

Concentricity (medium points) takes a certain amount of skill to develop an

causes a lot of confusion.

Don't use concentricity!!

It is suggested that if the Designer wanted to control the centre line distance, do not
use concentricity, use positional tolerances. Achieving the centre of the feature is
relatively easy and, in addition, one may use the modifier Maximum Material Condition
(MMC) which would allow manufacturing to use a checking fixture or functional gauge
to monitor the product on an ongoing basis. The best way to confirm positional
tolerances without MMC is with the use of a CMM so positional tolerances are not
restricted to features placed in a chuck.
On small coaxial products, do not use concentricity. Use circular runout and in o
example we would come up with a value of 0.4 mm. We not only would confirm the
centre condition but also the roundness of the feature. The elliptical shaped feature previou
described that could have achieved a zero (0) concentricity, will now have a circular runo
value of which it may be all roundness.
Circular runout is relatively easy to perform with a confidence level up to 95%.
If one wanted to also control the shape of the feature in addition to its centre and roundness, total runout is t
correct symbol. It controls the medium points, roundness and also the shape along the feature.
Below is an example of circular runout.

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If concentricty is the determined approach to controlling the feature then below is the best way of confirming t
requirement.

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