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Activity Sheet 10

QUALITY CONTROL
Precision is vital in the manufacturing industry. Each part must meet specifications in order to be
assembled successfully and to function properly; however, some natural variation does occur, especially
when parts must be machined accurately to the thousandth and sometimes even beyond. Since these
slight variations do occur, blueprints are marked so that machinists, inspectors, and others responsible for
quality control can determine what amount of variation is acceptable. This is called tolerance.
Tolerance is the amount of variation that is acceptable above or below a specified dimension on the
blueprint. The variation has to be small enough for the part to remain functional. This information is
usually contained in a supplementary block on the blueprint. Refer to the blueprint on the HOW TO
READ A BLUEPRINT activity sheet.. In the supplementary block to the left of the title block, tolerance
information is provided.
The first two lines state that the dimensions on the blueprint, unless otherwise stated on the print, are in
inches. The next line TOL ON ANGLE +/- 1.00 provides the tolerance for angles. The fourth line 2PL
+/- .005 provides the tolerance for all other dimensions on the blueprint. The line means that dimensions
with 2 decimal places (2PL) can have a tolerance of .03 above or below the specified dimension on the
print. Dimensions with 3 decimal places (3PL) can have a tolerance of .005 above or below the specified
dimension on the print. For example, if a dimension is 1.32, the tolerance will allow for the part to
measure in the range from 1.29 to 1.35.
If a part does not meet the specifications within the limits of tolerance, then it does not meet the quality
standard. It must be discarded. The process of checking parts is very important for quality control.
Check the blueprint answer key and in the spaces below, write the correct dimensions for those marked
#1-#6. Determine the tolerance for each dimension. Then, write down the measurements you determined
for each of these dimensions in the previous activity. Determine if your machine screw and nut meet
quality control standards.
Example:
Dimension #0
0.55
Tolerance Range .52-.58
Your Measurement .56
Quality Yes
Dimension #1

Tolerance Range

Your Measurement

Quality

Dimension #2

Tolerance Range

Your Measurement

Quality

Dimension #3

Tolerance Range

Your Measurement

Quality

Dimension #4

Tolerance Range

Your Measurement

Quality

Dimension #5

Tolerance Range

Your Measurement

Quality

Dimension #6

Tolerance Range

Your Measurement

Quality

Activity Sheet 10