Lecture 3

Dimensioning

Contents
Introduction
Dimensioning components &
their recommended practices
Dimensioning the objects features
Placement of dimensions.
Problem solving steps

Introduction

Definition
Dimensioning is the process of specifying part s
information by using of lines, number, symbols and
notes.

Notes
1. Lines to be used are always thin continuous line.
2. Symbol or abbreviation commonly found in a drawing are
- diameter is represented by a symbol .
- radius is represented by a letter R .

Dimensioning
components :
General topics

Dimensioning components
Extension lines
- indicate the location on the
objects features that are dimensioned.

Example
20

Dimension lines (with arrowheads)

10
R16

Leader lines
- indicate details of the feature
with a note.

Notes
- local or general note

(or dimension figures)

123

Dimension numbers

13

- indicate the direction and extent of a

dimension, and inscribe dimension
numbers.

Applying the dimensioning

components
Mostly done by using
Extension line, dimension
line and dimension number

Leader line and note

Example

Example

10

45

27

Notes
The appropriate method depends on the objects features.
Detail of a local note depends on the objects features.

Dimensioning
components :
Recommended practice

Extension line
Always leave a visible gap ( 1 mm) from a view or center
lines before start drawing a line.
Extend the lines beyond the (last) dimension line 2-3 mm.
Good practice

Poor practice
3

Extension line
Do not break the extension lines as they cross any line
types, e.g. visible line, hidden line or center line,
i.e. extension line always a continuous line.
Good practice

Poor practice

Dimension line
Dimension lines should be appropriately spaced apart from
each other and the view.
Poor practice

Good practice

25
34

30

34

25

30

Too close

At least 1 time
of a font size

34

25

At least 2 times
of a font size

30

Too far

Dimension number : General

The height of numbers is suggested to be 2.5~3 mm.
Place the numbers at about 1 mm above and at a middle
of a dimension line.

34

30

34

25

30

25

Poor practice

Good practice

Dimension number : Number system

1. Metric system
(ISO standards etc.)
Examples

32, 32.5, 32.55, 0.5 (not .5) etc.

2. Decimal-inch system
1
4

Examples

0.25 (not .25), 5.375 etc.

3. Fractional-inch system
Examples

, 5

3
8

etc.

Dimension number : Unit

Length dimension is expressed in millimeters without a
necessity to specify a unit symbol mm.
Angular dimension is expressed in degree with a symbol
o places behind the number (and if necessary minutes
and seconds may be used together).
Poor practice
60

25 mm

60

25

Good practice

Dimension number : Narrow space situation

If there is not enough space for number or arrows, put it
outside either of the extension lines.

Good practice
16.25

Poor practice
1

or
Not enough
space for
number

Not enough space

for arrows

16.25

16.25

Dimension number : Orientation

1. Aligned method
The dimension figures are placed
so that they are readable from the
bottom or right side of the drawing.
2nd
choice

2. Unidirectional method
The dimension figures are placed
so that they can be read from the

1st
choice

bottom of the drawing.

Do not apply both systems on the same drawing or on the same

series of drawing.

EXAMPLE : Orientation of a length dimension

1. Aligned method

2. Unidirectional method

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30
30

EXAMPLE : Orientation of an angular dimension

1. Aligned method

2. Unidirectional method
45o
45o

45

45
o

45o

45o

45

45
o

45o

45o

45o

45o

45o

45o

45o
45o

Local notes
Lettered with 2H or HB pencil and the height of 2.5~3 mm.
Must be used in a combination with a leader line.
Place near to the feature which they apply but should be
placed outside the view.
Placed above the bent portion of a leader line.
Always be lettered horizontally.
12 Drill
12 Drill
10mm

Too far

12 Drill

Poor practice

Good practice

12 Drill

Dimensioning the
objects features

Length
Dimensioning
components

Information
to be dimensioned
- Length of an edge

Extension and dimension lines,

and dimension number

- Distance between
features

30
40

15

Example

60

10

Angle
Information
to be dimensioned
- Angle between
edges.

Dimensioning
components
Extension and circular dimension
lines, and dimension number

A circular dimension line must have its center at the vertex of the angle.

Example

Poor practice

Arc
Information
to be dimensioned

Dimensioning
components

- Radius

Leader line and local note

- Location
of its center

Extension and dimension lines,

and dimension number

The letter R is written in front of a number to emphasize that

the number represents radius of an arc.

Arc
The note and the arrowhead should be placed in a concave
side of an arc, whenever there is a sufficient space.
Example : Radius of an arc
Sufficient space
for both.

Sufficient space
for arrowhead only

Insufficient space
for both

R
20
0

R
20
0

R62.5
R6.5
R62.5

Place a note outside

Place a note and

an arrow outside

Arc : Common mistakes

R62.5

R62.5

R62.5
R62.5

R6
2.
5

62.5

R62.5

Fillets and Rounds

Information
to be dimensioned
- Radius

Example

1. All fillets and rounds

have an equal radius

Dimensioning
components
1. Leader line and local note
2. General note
3. Combination of both
2. Most of fillets and rounds
have an equal radius
except for some places
R12

NOTE:
All fillets and round are R6.5

NOTE:
All fillets and round are R6.5
unless otherwise specified.

Cylinder
Information
to be dimensioned
- Diameter

Dimensioning
components
Extension and dimension lines,
and dimension number

- Length

Diameter should be given in a longitudinal view with the symbol

placed in front of a number.
Measurement of
objects diameter

150

70

Example

Hole
Information
to be dimensioned

Dimensioning
components

- Diameter
- Depth

Leader line and local note

- Location
of its center

Extension and dimension lines,

and dimension number

- Number of holes
having an identical
specification

Local note

Small hole : Specifying a diameter and a depth

1) Through hole

2) Blinded hole
Holes
depth

10, 12 Deep

10
(or 10 Drill)

(or 10 Drill, 12 Deep)

Small hole : Specifying a location

Drilling a hole
Distance from
center to center

40

Play

Large hole
Three possible methods are:Use extension and
dimension lines

Use diametral
dimension line

Use leader line and

note

50

50

50

Placement of
dimensions

Recommended practice 1
Extension lines, leader lines should not cross dimension
lines.
Example

Poor practice
Place longer dimensions
outside shorter ones.

Recommended practice 2
Extension lines should be drawn from the nearest points
to be dimensioned.
Example

Poor practice

Recommended practice 3
Extension lines of an internal feature can cross a visible
line without leaving a gap at the intersection point.
Example

Wrong

Recommended practice 4
Do not use visible, center, and dimension lines as an
extension lines.
Example

Poor practice

Recommended practice 5
Avoid dimensioning hidden lines.
Example

Poor practice

Recommended practice 6
Place dimensions outside the view, unless placing them
inside improve the clarity.
Example
1

Recommended practice 7
Dimension lines should be lined up and grouped together
as much as possible.
Example

Poor practice

Recommended practice 8
Avoid repeat a dimension
Example

Poor practice

Problem solving
steps

Dimensioning process
From a given orthographic views of an object, repeat
asking yourself the following questions in a sequence.
Q1 : What feature is to be dimensioned?
Select the object feature and identify its type.

Q2 : How to present the dimension?

Matching the features information to an appropriate
dimensioning components.

Q3 : Where to place the dimensioning components?

EXAMPLE
Given

What
1. Height of the part

How
Extension and dimension lines,
and dimension number

Where
Front, right edge

2. Depth of the part

Same as 1.

Side view, top edge

3. Width of the part

Same as 1.

Front view, top edge

4. Diameter of the hole

Leader line and local note

5. Depth of the hole

Not necessary (through hole)

6. Position of the hole

Extension and dimension lines,

and dimension number

Front view
Front view

Class exercise
1

Determine an appropriateness of the given

dimensions.
Click on the button below to see the answer.
(Also, try to think about the reason and how to
give a better dimension.)

7
5

Good
1

Good
2

Poor
3

Poor
4

Poor
5

Poor
6

Good
7

Good
8

Class exercise
4
1
8

3
2

10

7
11

12

13

14

15

Determine an appropriateness of the given dimensions.

Poor
1

Poor
2

Poor
3

Poor
4

Poor
5

Poor
6

Poor
7

Poor
9

Poor
10

Poor
11

Poor
12

Good
13

Poor
14

Good
15

Poor
8