Geometric Tolerancing

Geometric Tolerancing
Geometric tolerances state the maximum allowable variations of a form or its position from the perfect geometry implied on the drawing. Traditional notes which explain geometric tolerance variations have been used in the past. Presently, however, it is recommended that such tolerances be defined using the geometric characteristic symbols outlined in ANSI Y14.5M-1994.

Geometric Control Symbols

(See Table 10.4)

Key:
Symbols of main focus in class

Geometric Control Symbols (cont)

Orientation Group Parallelism, perpendicularity and angularity
Feature control frame is comprised of three segments Tolerance is linear Referenced datum plane does not have to be a principle plane.

The Meaning

Geometric Control Symbols (cont)

Position Group Concentricity
Used to establish a relationship between the axes of two or more cylindrical features The feature control frame is divided into 3 segments The tolerance specifies a cylindrical tolerance zone and is, thusly, preceded by the symbol

The Meaning

Geometric Control Symbols

Position Group (cont) Symmetry Defines a tolerance zone where the median points of opposite symmetrical surfaces align with the datum center plane. The feature control frame is comprised of 3 segments The related datum reference is the datum center plane The tolerance will always be applied on a RFS (Regardless of Feature Size) basis

The Meaning

Geometric Control Symbols

Position Group (cont)

Positional The most important of the geometric control tolerance symbols. Controls the location of a cylindrical tolerance zone where the centerline of a feature is located. Tolerance is applied with a diameter tolerance zone with relation to its material condition size. The feature control frame is comprised of 5 segments. The last three segments refer to the primary, secondary, and tertiary datum reference planes respectively.

The Positional Tolerance Feature Control Frame

Geometric Control Symbol Diametric or Linear Tolerance Material Condition Symbol Primary Datum Reference Plane Secondary Datum Reference Plane Tertiary Datum Reference Plane

Maximum Material Condition Least Material Condition Material Condition Symbols Regardless of Feature size Projected Tolerance Free State Condition

Meaning of the Positional Tolerance

MMCHole - Position Tolerance = Theoretical Boundary

Finding the Applied Positional Tolerance

1. Finding the Applied Positional Tolerance at MMC

For Internal Features
Applied Tolerance = Actual size -MMC + Positional Tolerance

For External Features

Applied Tolerance = MMC - Actual Size + Positional Tolerance

2. Finding the Applied Positional Tolerance at LMC

For External Features
Applied Tolerance = Actual size -LMC + Positional Tolerance

For Internal Features

Applied Tolerance = LMC - Actual Size + Positional Tolerance

3. Finding the Applied Positional Tolerance Regardless of Feature Size (RFS)

Calculating the Numerical Value of the Positional Tolerance

Three Possible Situations

1. Floating Fastener Application
Where two or more parts are assembled with fasteners such as nuts and bolts and all parts have clearance holes. When holes in a pattern are the same diameters, the bolts used are the same diameters, and the same positional tolerance for all the holes is to be the same, then the positional tolerance may be calculated as the allowance (MMCHole - MMCBolt) applicable for all holes within the pattern of each part.

Typical Floating Fastener Application

2. Fixed Fastener Application Where one of the parts to be assembled has a held-in-place fastener such as a threaded hole for a bolt, screw, or stud. Only one of the parts will have clearance around it, so the positional tolerance of that one hole is to be shared with the threaded hole. In this case, the positional tolerance is distributed at the discretion of the engineer. That tolerance usually is 50% of the allowance with half going to the clearance
hole and the other half going to the threaded hole.

Typical Fixed Fastener Application

3. All Other Applications A circumscribed circle drawn from the square defined by dimensional tolerances

(.012 + .012)1/2 = .014