Engr.

Zaheer Ahmad
 What is GD&T?
 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances (GD&T) is a
language for communicating engineering design
specifications. GD&T includes all the symbols,
definitions, mathematical formulas, and application
rules necessary to represent a practicable engineering
language. It expresses both the nominal dimensions
(ideal geometry), and the tolerances for a part. It’s
now the predominant language used worldwide as
well as the standard language approved by the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
and the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI).
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances
(Symbols)
More Symbols
 Tolerancing
“Allowance for a specific variation in the size and geometry of
part.”
Why is it needed: No one or thing is perfect !
• Hence, engineers have come up with a way to make things
close to perfect by specifying Tolerances !
1. Large variation may affect the functionality of the part
2. Small variation will effect the cost of the part
• Parts with small tolerances often require special methods of
manufacturing.
• Parts with small tolerances often require greater inspection
and call for the rejection of parts.
 When does Tolerances become
important
Assemblies: Parts will often not fit together if their
dimensions do not fall within a certain range of values.
Interchangeability: If a replacement part is used it
must be a duplicate of the original part within certain
limits of deviation.
• The relationship between functionality and size or
shape of an object varies from part to part.
 Tolerances
• Geometric tolerances are controls that effect the shape
and/or orientation of features.
• Tolerance is the total amount a dimension may vary and
is the difference between the maximum and minimum
limits. Tolerances are assigned to mating parts. For
example, the slot in the part must accommodate another
part. A system has two or more mating parts.
For example, A
tolerance of 4.000 ±0.003
means that upper limit
(largest value) for part is
4.003, the lower limit
(smallest value) is 3.997,
and the tolerance is 0.006
Nominal size - a dimension used
to describe the general size
usually expressed in common
fractions. The slot in Fig has a
nominal size ½” or 0.5”
Basic size the theoretical size used
as a starting point for the application
of tolerances. The basic size of the
slot in Fig is .500”.
Actual size the measured size
of the finished part after
machining. In Fig, the actual
size is .501
Limits the maximum and
minimum sizes shown by the
tolerance dimension. The slot
has limits of .502 and .498 The
mating part has limits of .495
and .498
Allowance is the minimum clearance or
maximum interference between parts. In
Fig. the allowances is .001, meaning that the
tightest fit occurs when the slot is machined
to its smallest allowable size of .498 and the
mating part is machined to its largest
allowable of size of .497. The difference
between .498 and .497 (or .001) is the
allowance.
Tolerance is the total variance in a
dimension which is the difference
between the upper and lower limits. The
tolerance of the slot part in Fig. is .004“
and the tolerance of the mating part is
.002".
Maximum material condition (MMC)
is the condition of a part when it contains
the most amount of material.
The MMC of an external feature such as a
shaft is the upper limit.
The MMC of an internal feature such as a
hole is the lower limit.
Least material condition (LMC) is the
condition of a part when it contains the
least amount of material possible.
The LMC of an external feature is the
lower limit of the part.
The LMC of an internal feature is the
upper limit of the part.
Piece tolerance – the difference
between the upper and lower
limits of a single part
System tolerance – the sum of
all the piece tolerance
 Fit types
• The degree of tightness
between mating parts is
called the fit.
• Clearance fit occurs when
two toleranced mating
parts will always leave a
space or clearance when
assembled.
The largest that shaft (A) can
be manufactured is .999
and the smallest the hole
can be is 1.000. The shaft
will always be smallest
than the hole.
Formula: Allowance = smallest hole – largest shaft
Interference fit occurs when
two toleranced mating parts
will always interfere when
assembled.
 This fit type would be
necessary to stretch the hole
or shrink the shaft or to use
force to press the shaft into
the hole.
 For example this fit type can
be used to fasten two parts
together without the use of
mechanical fasteners or
adhesive
Formula: Allowance = smallest hole – largest shaft
 Transition fit occurs when two toleranced mating parts
will sometimes be an interference fit and sometimes be
a clearance fit when assembled.

Allowance = largest hole – smallest shaft Allowance = smallest hole – largest shaft
 MMC & LMC
 Maximum Material Condition (MMC): The condition
where a size feature contains the maximum amount of
material within the stated limits of size. I.e., largest shaft
and smallest hole.
 Least Material Condition (LMC): The condition where
a size feature contains the least amount of material within
the stated limits of size. I.e., smallest shaft and largest
hole.
 Allowance and Clearance
ALLOWANCE
• Allowance is defined as an intentional difference between
the maximum material limits of mating parts. Allowance
is the minimum clearance (positive allowance), or
maximum interference (negative allowance) between
mating parts. The calculation formula for allowance is:
ALLOWANCE = MMC HOLE – MMC SHAFT
CLEARANCE
• Clearance is defined as the loosest fit or maximum
intended difference between mating parts.
The calculation formula for clearance is:
CLEARANCE = LMC HOLE – LMC SHAFT
 Example
Given: Diameter of shaft: 1.5mm
Upper Limit Tolerance: 0.03mm
Lower Limit Tolerance : 0.04mm
Given: Diameter of Hole: 1.48mm
Upper Limit Tolerance : 0.03mm
Lower Limit Tolerance : 0.05mm

 Allowance: MMC-Hole - MMC-Shaft

= 1.43 – 1.53 = - 0.1mm
 Clearance: LMC-Hole – LMC-Shaft
= 1.51 – 1.46 = 0.05mm
Answer
Allowance: -0.1mm
Clearance: 0.05mm
Type of Fit: Transition Fit
 WHY IS GD&T IMPORTANT
 Saves money
 For example, if large number of parts are being made –
GD&T can reduce or eliminate inspection of some features.
 Provides “bonus” tolerance
 Ensures design, dimension, and tolerance
requirements as they relate to the actual function
 Ensures interchangeability of mating parts at the
assembly
 Provides uniformity
 It is a universal understanding of the symbols
instead of words
 WHEN TO USE GD&T
 When part features are critical to a function or
interchangeability
 When functional gauging is desirable
 When datum references are desirable to insure
consistency between design
 When standard interpretation or tolerance is
not already implied
 When it allows a better choice of machining
processes to be made for production of a part
 GD&T BENEFITS
1) Improves Communication
GD&T can provide uniformity in drawing specifications and
interpretation, thereby reducing controversy, guesswork and
assumptions. Design, production, and inspection all work in the same
language.
2) Provides for better Product Design
The use of GD&T can improve your product designs by providing
designers with the tools to "say what they mean," and by following the
functional dimensioning philosophy.
3) Increases Production Tolerances
There are two ways tolerances are increased through the use of GD&T!
."First, under certain conditions, GD&T provides ”bonus - or extra -
tolerance for manufacturing. This additional tolerance can make a
significant savings in production costs. Second, by the use of
functional dimensioning, the tolerances are assigned to the part based
upon its functional requirements. This often results in a larger
tolerance for manufacturing. It eliminates the problems that result
when designers copy existing tolerances, or assign tight tolerances,
because they don't know how to determine a reasonable (functional)
tolerance.