Group Standard VW 01055

Issue 2009-06
Class. No.: 02245

Descriptors: RPS, reference point system

Reference Point System (RPS)

Drawing specifications

Preface
Reference point systems (RPS) must be designed in such a way as to enable a component or sub-
assembly to be installed at its destination on a dimensionally stable basis. This system is used as the
basis for dimensional acceptance and sampling of components, both internally and with suppliers,
and as a basis for the manufacturing process.
A component-oriented reference system that does not satisfy the specifications in this standard must
not be referred to as an RPS.

Previous issues
VW 01055: 1996-12

Changes
The following changes have been made as compared to VW 01055: 1996-12:
Preface added
Section 2.1 "Component-oriented reference system supplemented", Figure 1 added
Section 2.2 "Standard values/characteristics of RPS mountings" supplemented, Table 1 and Ta
ble 2 revised
Section 3 "3-2-1 rule" supplemented, Figure 3 designations revised
Section 4.1 "RPS designation" supplemented and revised, Table 3 and Figure 4 added, subse
QUELLE: NOLIS

quent Figures renumbered

Section 4.3 "Procedure for sub-assemblies containing components without drawing" supple
mented
Section 5.1 "General" supplemented and revised

Check standard for current issue prior to usage.

This electronically generated standard is authentic and valid without signature. Page 1 of 18
The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies the German version shall govern.
Numerical notation acc. to ISO practice.

Technical responsibility Standards Department

EKTC/4 Norbert Wisla EKTC
PKP-P/G Walter Schlicker Tel.: +49-5361-9-196708 Tel.: +49-5361-9-48869 Manfred Terlinden
Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be transmitted or reproduced without prior permission of a Standards Department of the Volkswagen Group.
Parties to a contract can only obtain this standard via the B2B supplier platform www.vwgroupsupply.com.
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft VWNORM-2008-12f-patch1
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Section 5.2 "Component-oriented reference systems parallel to the coordinate system grid" Fig
ure 6 descriptions and Table revised
Section 5.3 "Rotated component-oriented reference systems" Figure 7 and Figure 8 descrip
tions and Table revised
Section 6 "Design requirements" added, subsequents Sections renumbered
Section 7.1 "General" supplemented
Section 7.2 "Specification of reference points" last sentence removed
Section 8 "Referenced standards" added

Contents
Page
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................. 2
2 Theoretical principles ..................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Component-oriented reference system .......................................................................... 3
2.2 Standard values/characteristics of RPS mountings ....................................................... 4
3 The 3-2-1 rule ................................................................................................................ 6
4 Designation and drawing representation ....................................................................... 7
4.1 RPS designation ............................................................................................................ 7
4.2 Drawing representation .................................................................................................. 9
4.3 Procedure for sub-assemblies containing components without drawing ....................... 9
5 Dimensioning and tolerancing ...................................................................................... 10
5.1 General information ..................................................................................................... 10
5.2 Component-oriented reference systems parallel to the coordinate system grid .......... 11
5.3 Rotated component-oriented reference systems ......................................................... 11
6 Design requirements .................................................................................................... 14
7 Consistency ................................................................................................................. 15
7.1 General information ..................................................................................................... 15
7.2 Specification of reference points .................................................................................. 15
7.3 Specification of functional areas .................................................................................. 15
8 Referenced documents ................................................................................................ 18

1 Scope
This standard applies to the dimensioning, manufacture, and inspection of individual parts or sub-
assemblies in all product development phases:
For uniform positioning consistently throughout the manufacturing and inspection areas
For assuring equal dimensional references
As the basis for tolerance sequence research for process assurance
To enable joining without additional auxiliary means

2 Theoretical principles
Use of the reference point system ensures that the spatial position of the component is explicitly
defined.
The position of the RPS element is specified using point coordinates. However, each RPS element
is linked with one or more geometry types (surface, ring surface, round hole etc.). Each of the RPS
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elements is given an explicit function within the reference point system, which is apparent from the
RPS designation.
The RPS elements, or their geometry types, are used to fix the components during the individual
process steps of vehicle development.
Fixing means that the RPS elements of the component come to rest at the mountings of the joining
or measuring equipment. This is normally done by clamping. The method of fixing must be described
in Performance Specifications and Test Specifications on a component-dependent, production-de
pendent, and test method-dependent basis and must be coordinated with respect to the manufac
turing and measurement equipment.
The type and number of RPS elements must be selected to achieve explicit, but not overdetermined,
fixing of the necessary degrees of freedom. For components that are not rigid with respect to bending,
additional secondary RPS elements must be provided. These secondary RPS elements result theo
retically in overdetermination of the component. However, they are necessary to correct unstable
areas and deformable component zones in the joining and measuring equipment in such a way as
to minimize non-process-relevant deformations. The deformation must be measured and a tolerance
for process compatibility must be specified.
The RPS elements must be selected with respect to function according to general design guidelines
and at the greatest possible distance from one another.
RPS elements must be arranged at a position in the coordinate system; that is, they must be orthog
onal to the spatial axes. This can also be achieved through embossments parallel to the coordinate
system grid.

2.1 Component-oriented reference system

One of the main ideas on which the reference point system is based is the component-oriented co
ordinate system according toVW 01052.
A vehicle is dimensioned by means of a global coordinate system (mathematical vehicle coordinate
system), whose origin is defined in the center at the location of the front axle of a vehicle (see
VW 01059-1, mandatory reference for the vehicle coordinate system is VW 01052), see Figure 1.

Figure 1 Global coordinate system for vehicles

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Starting from the axes of this coordinate system, grid lines are extended parallel to the axes, spaced
100 mm apart and penetrating the vehicle theoretically. These grid lines are used to locate all points
on the vehicle, i.e., they help to define the position of each component in a vehicle. These grid lines
are also used as an aid for dimensioning.
A component-oriented reference system is the basis for the reference point system.
The origin of the component reference system is defined by the intersection of three reference planes.
The reference planes are formed by means of the RPS main mountings defined on the component.
For an assembly with multiple parts, these are toleranced with respect to each other.
After joining, the sub-assembly is described by a common, component-related reference system. This
is formed in one of the following ways:
By adopting one of the existing reference systems
By forming a new reference system based on the existing reference points
By introducing new reference points suitable for the respective function, provided that it is not
possible to reuse the existing RPS points of individual parts and/or sub-assemblies in a reason
able manner
The new reference system is defined with orientation to the function of the sub-assembly.

2.2 Standard values/characteristics of RPS mountings

The mounting holes with high accuracy requirements that are used multiple times, must be built with
the appropriate stability.
As a rule, the standard values as specified in Table 1 and Table 2 must be used. For holes in RPS
surfaces, attention must be paid that the size of the contact surfaces is sufficient and process reliable.
The directions of RPS holes must always be arranged parallel to the coordinate system grid. Likewise,
the RPS surfaces around holes must be embossed parallel to the coordinate system grid.
The specified dimensions must be projected onto the component parallel to the axes.
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Table 1 Recommended standard values

Designation Nominal dimension Tol. (mm) Graphical representation
(mm)
pluggable
Mounting
holes,

Round hole see VW 01077

10

15
Square +1
20

25

6 x 20

Rectangu 10 x 20
+1
lar
15 x 20

15
Surfaces

Circle 20 +1

25

Radius inner circle:

Hole radius or radius
runout for plunged
holes + 1 mm

Ring sur
Radius outer circle: Ra +1
faces
dius inner circle + 5
mm. For design see al
so Production Equip
ment standard 39
D690.

For further standard values, see VW 01077 and PHS 387 "RPS Standard Template Catalog"
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Table 2 Recommended standard values

Nominal dimension W
Designation Tol. Graphical representation
xL

Long hole
Mounting holes, pluggable

see VW 01078
Long hole in
angular posi
tion

For further standard values, see VW 01078 and PHS 387 "RPS Standard Template Catalog"

RPS points lie in the center of holes (including long holes).

For outer skin parts (e.g., for door outer panels, hood outer panels, etc.) that receive RPS surface
points, these must be designed 2 mm from the radius runout line (see Table 1, square or rectangle,
graphical representation on right).

3 The 3-2-1 rule

Every rigid body has six degrees of freedom in three-dimension space three translational motions
parallel to the axes of a reference system and three rotational motions around the axes; see
Figure 2.

Figure 2 Degrees of freedom in three-dimensional space

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In order to support a non-axially symmetric body in an explicitly defined manner, it must be fixed in
all six possible motion directions. The 3-2-1 rule provides such an explicit fixing. It defines the following
main mounting distribution, for example:
3 mountings In Z-direction (largest possible surface)
2 mountings In Y-direction (largest possible length to prevent rotation)
1 mounting In X-direction (function-related specification in order to prevent translational
displacement)
The implementation of this rule is illustrated using the graphical representation in Figure 3.

Figure 3 Application of the 3-2-1 rule

The three mountings in the Z-direction limit three degrees of freedom: the translation in the Z-direction
and the rotation around the X-axis and Y-axis. The pin in the round hole prevents a motion parallel
to the axes in the X-direction and Y-direction, and the pin in the long hole prevents a rotation around
the Z-axis; see Figure 3.
This rule applies accordingly to every other rigid component even if its design is far more complex.
In a system of rigid bodies whose elements are connected together using joints or guides, it is nec
essary to fix more than 6 degrees of freedom through additional main mountings.
For components without inherent stability, additional secondary RPS elements must be defined for
support of the component based on RPS considerations.
RPS 1 must be the point that fixes the most degrees of freedom.

4 Designation and drawing representation

4.1 RPS designation

All RPS points must be included in the part drawing as specified in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
The designation of the main reference points, system of rigid bodies, secondary reference points,
and fixation directions is based on Table 3. See Figure 4 for designation examples.
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Table 3

Main reference points = Capital letters

1 to 6 H= hole / pin
1 to 6 F= surface / point
1 to 6 T= theoretical point, formed out of two sec
ondary reference points

System of rigid bodies (joint or

= Capital letters
movable sled)
51 to 99 H/F/T hole/pin/surface/point

Secondary reference points Lower case let

=
ters
from 101 h= hole / pin
from 101 f= surface / point
21 to 50 f/h = secondary reference points forming a
"T" (symmetry)

Fixation directions Lower case let

=
ters
from 101 x, y, z for component-oriented reference systems
parallel to the coordinate system grid
from 101 a, b, c for component-oriented reference systems
in rotated condition
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Figure 4 Description examples

The numbering for each individual part and each sub-assembly starts with the main reference points.
This RPS designation system is used for explicit function assignment and identification of RPS ele
ments for a component or sub-assembly.
For a consistent inter-process RPS designation, this designation system is not sufficient on its own.
For cross-component functions (application in systems), an identification system building on this basic
system description must be used to enable measurement and evaluation in systems. Thus, for ex
ample, assignment of a component number offers the possibility of explicit differentiation in systems.

4.2 Drawing representation

The drawing representation is created according to the valid drawing guidelines.
The RPS surfaces must be marked with cross-hatching.
If a part does not yet have a drawing, the RPS Dimensions Sheet FE 5151) must be used.
As soon as the part drawing exists, the specifications in the RPS Dimensions Sheet must be trans
ferred directly to the drawing, or in text macro NO-F232), and must be maintained there.

4.3 Procedure for sub-assemblies containing components without drawing

The RPS points for components without a drawing (w/o drawing) must be labeled by a specified item
or part number. RPS tables for parts w/o drawing must be represented for all components in the sub-
assembly drawing.
A drawing is available for part 1, but parts 2 and 3 are w/o drawing; see Figure 5.

1) Stored in KVS (design data administration system) under FEO 000 515
2) Stored in KVS under NOF 000 023
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Figure 5 Sub-assemblies with RPS points representation without Z-mounting

5 Dimensioning and tolerancing

5.1 General information

Dimensions and tolerances can be entered directly in the drawing or via the RPS table; see
Figure 6.
The dimensioning of components is generally with respect to the origin of the reference system. The
shape dimensions and functional dimensions with tolerances must always reference the origin of the
reference system.
Example: Within a group of holes, the holes are dimensioned with respect to one another. The position
of the hole group is dimensioned with respect to the reference planes.
The main location points lie relative to the vehicle coordinate system/reference system in the fixing
direction without tolerances. In the secondary direction(s), the tolerances must be specified in con
formance with functional requirements by the Design Engineering Department or in the Simultaneous
Engineering Team (SET) see z/c-tolerance in Figure 6 to Figure 8 for 101 fz or 101 fc, respectively.
The origin/reference point is apparent in the drawing or table. If two or three fixing directions are fixed
in one point, the RPS element must be separated into a hole and surface. For the surface RPS point,
the surface in the tolerance zone is set to zero. In the line in which the hole has the zero setting, the
tolerance zone for the surface must be indicated with a horizontal dash; see Table in Figure 6.
The tolerance values specified in the Tables in Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 8 were selected only
by way of example. These tolerance values must be specified in conformance with requirements.
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5.2 Component-oriented reference systems parallel to the coordinate system grid

The origin of the reference system is specified by means of a translation and without tolerance in the
global vehicle coordinate system grid; see Figure 6.

Figure 6 Dimensioning with text macro NO-F23

5.3 Rotated component-oriented reference systems

For rotated reference systems, the theoretical angles of rotation must be specified in the RPS Di
mensions Sheet FE 5151) and/or in the drawing table macro text NO-F232).
If there is more than one angle of rotation, the angle specification and, thus, the sequence of the
rotations must be taken from the drawing. The text "see drawing" must appear in the table in place
of the angle of rotation entry.
The position of the reference point is determined by its X, Y, and Z coordinates in the global vehicle
coordinate system.
1) Stored in KVS (design data administration system) under FEO 000 515
2) Stored in KVS under NOF 000 023
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The angles of rotation around the X, Y, and Z axes are entered using mathematically positive or
negative values. Positive angles are specified in the counterclockwise direction, while negative angles
are specified in the clockwise direction.
The horizontal axis is assigned to the zero angle in the coordinate system.
The nominal dimensions and tolerances are specified in a, b, and c values in the RPS table.
The fixation directions of the RPS points are specified in a, b, c values in the table and/or drawing,
e.g., RPS 1 Hab, see Figure 7 and Figure 8.
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Figure 7 Formation of reference point directly via RPS main mountings

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Figure 8 Formation of reference point using RPS main mountings with defined distances

6 Design requirements
At a minimum, the information for the RPS elements shown in the RPS table must be created and
documented in a system in conjunction with the part model (TM German abbreviation).
The design of RPS elements (holes) must be elaborated in the part model, including specification of
the hole directions.
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The RPS elements must always be designed on the side described by CAD.

7 Consistency

7.1 General information

The purpose of the RPS is to achieve a process that is reliable/capable and exactly reproducible and
does not rely on adjustments by workers.
A consistent use of reference points must be ensured in all manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and
installation processes.
For separate functional areas, such as the side panel fuel filler door, a functional reference relative
to RPS planes is permissible. These are strictly local functional alignments. These can also be
overdetermined.
Prior to specification of RPS points, the mandatory functions of the individual part and the relevant
sub-assemblies must be specified along with their required functional tolerances.
Reference points established at the start of a process must be retained as long as possible. To avoid
changes of arranged reference points, these will be specified as early as possible during the design
and development process in consultation with all areas involved in the manufacturing process.
Reference points must be positioned in areas of a component that are stable, will not be changed
during further development and/or manufacturing processes, and will remain accessible for mea
surement purposes.
Reference points on components that move relative to the body during driving operation can only be
measured in the as-designed position according to the 3-2-1 rule.
The RPS points on components that are used more than once in vehicles and, thus, reference the
global coordinate system grid multiple times may be represented in the technical drawing without a
global coordinate reference.

7.2 Specification of reference points

When reference points are introduced, attention must be paid to ensure parallelism with the coordi
nate system grid (holes and surfaces). In the case of rotated systems, parallelism with the reference
planes must be ensured.
The RPS points must be manufactured in the tool sequence in which the maximum dimensional
stability is achieved.
To the extent possible, reference points must be designed according to a standardized geometry
(hole, surface), which must be defined in detail.
If holes cannot be introduced into a component, surfaces must be chosen for specifying reference
points.

7.3 Specification of functional areas

Use of the RPS on a complex subarea of the vehicle, such as the dashboard, requires a set-up that
is adopted into the development and design system and integrates all parts, individual parts, and sub-
assemblies.
A functional area includes all visible and concealed components that, together with their function
points, have a direct effect on their adjacent surroundings.
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The specification of reference planes is dependent on the component's geometric position in space
relative to its surroundings.
The reference planes are the same for a given functional area, that is: components or component
groups and their surroundings have the same starting basis; see Figure 9.

Figure 9
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Figure 10 Sample RPS table

Figure 11 Sample RPS Dimensions Sheet

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8 Referenced documents
The following documents cited in this standard are necessary for application.
In this Section terminological inconsistencies may occur as the original titles are used.
Standards with the titles given in German are either only available in German or may be procured in
other languages from the institution issuing the standard.

VW 01052 Technical Drawings; Representations

VW 01059-1 Requirements for CAD/CAM Data; Representation of Technical Charac
teristics
VW 01077 Operating Process: Cutting; Round Holes
VW 01078 Cutting; Long Holes
PHS 387 RPS Standard Template Catalog