ENGINEERING DRAWING

(MECH 102)

LIMITS AND FITS

 COURSE OUTLINE

5. Limits and Fits:

– Hole and shaft tolerances.

– Fits.

– Screws and threads.

– Bolts and nuts convections.

– Threaded pieces.
TOLERANCES
 TOLERANCE ???

• The Oxford English dictionary defines

tolerance as:
b. In Mech., an allowable amount of variation
in the dimensions of a machine or part.
More widely, the allowable amount of
variation in any specified quantity

Or, paraphrased… “Tolerance is how

accepting of errors you are”.
 GENERAL CONCEPTS

• A measurement with a zero tolerance

is impossible to manufacture in the

real world.

• Tolerances on parts contribute to the

expense of a part, the smaller the

tolerance the more expensive the part.

TOLERANCE DIMENSIONING

• Tolerance is the total amount that a

specific dimension is permitted to vary;

• It is the difference between the

maximum and the minimum limits for

the dimension.
TOLERANCE DIMENSIONING

• For Example a dimension given as

1.625 ± .002 means that the

manufactured part may be 1.627” or

1.623”, or anywhere between these

limit dimensions.
dimensions
 TOLERANCES

The Tolerance is 0.001” for the Hole as

well as for the Shaft
ALLOWANCE & CLEARANCE

Interchangeable Fit
 SIZE DESIGNATIONS

• Nominal Size: It is the designation used

for general identification and is usually
expressed in common fractions. For Ex.
In the previous figure, the nominal size
of both hole and shaft, which is 11/4”
would be 1.25” in a decimal system of
dimensioning.
 SIZE DESIGNATIONS
• Basic Size or Basic dimension: It is the
theoretical size from which limits of size
are derived by the application of
allowances and tolerances.
• Actual Size: is the measured size of the
finished part.
• Allowance: is the minimum clearance
space (or maximum interference)
intended between the maximum material
condition of mating parts.
FITS
 FITS BETWEEN MATING PARTS

• Fit is the general term used to

signify the range of tightness or
looseness that may result from the
application of a specific
combination of allowances and
tolerances in mating parts.
 FITS BETWEEN MATING PARTS
There are four types of fits between parts
1. Clearance Fit: an internal member fits
in an external member (as a shaft in a
hole) and always leaves a space or
clearance between the parts.

Minimum air space is 0.002”. This is the

allowance and is always positive in a clearance fit
FITS BETWEEN MATING PARTS

2. Interference Fit: The internal member

is larger than the external member
such that there is always an actual
interference of material. The smallest
shaft is 1.2513” and the largest hole
is 1.2506”, so that there is an actual
interference of metal amounting to at
least 0.0007”.
FITS BETWEEN MATING PARTS
2. …Under maximum material conditions
the interference would be 0.0019”.
This interference is the allowance,
and in an interference fit it is always
negative.
 FITS BETWEEN MATING PARTS
3. Transition Fit: may result in either a
clearance or interference condition. In
the figure below, the smallest shaft
1.2503” will fit in the largest hole
1.2506”, with 0.003” to spare. But the
largest shaft, 1.2509” will have to be
forced into the smallest hole, 1.2500”
with an interference of metal of 0.009”.
 FITS BETWEEN MATING PARTS

4. Line Fit: the limits of size are so

specified that a clearance or surface

contact may result when mating parts

are assembled.
 BASIC HOLE SYSTEM

• Minimum hole is taken as the

basic size, an allowance is
assigned, and tolerances are
applied on both sides of and away
from this allowance.
 EXAMPLE
• The minimum size of the
hole 0.500”
0.500 is taken as the
basic size.
• An allowance of 0.002”
0.002 is
decided on and subtracted
from the basic hole size,
making the maximum
shaft as 0.498”.
0.498
• Tolerances of 0.002”
0.002 and
0.003”
0.003 respectively are
applied to the hole and Minimum clearance:
shaft to obtain the 0.500”-0.498” = 0.002”
maximum hole of 0.502”
0.502 Maximum clearance:
and the minimum shaft of
0.502” – 0.495” = 0.007”
0.495”.
0.495
 BASIC SHAFT SYSTEM

• Maximum shaft is taken as the

basic size, an allowance is
assigned, and tolerances are
applied on both sides of and away
from this allowance.
 EXAMPLE
• The maximum size of the shaft
0.500”
0.500 is taken as the basic
size.
• An allowance of 0.002”
0.002 is
decided on and added to the
basic shaft size, making the
minimum hole as 0.502”.
0.502
Minimum clearance:
• Tolerances of 0.003”
0.003 and 0.001”
0.001
0.502”-0.500” = 0.002”
respectively are applied to the
hole and shaft to obtain the Maximum clearance:
0.505” – 0.499” =
maximum hole of 0.505”
0.505 and the
0.006”
minimum shaft of 0.499”.
0.499
 ENGLISH FITS
• ANSI standards list five type of fits:
– RC: Running and Sliding Clearance Fits
– LC: Clearance Locational Fits
– LT: Transition Locational Fits
– LN: Interference Locational Fits
– FN: Force and Shrink Fits

• Each of these has several classes below.

• The higher the class number, the greater
the tolerance and the looser the fit.
CLEARANCE FITS
METRIC FITS

Loose Running: For wide commercial tolerances

H11/c11
on external members.

Free Running: For large temperature variations,

H9/d9
high running speeds, or heavy journal pressures.

Close Running: For accurate location and

H8/f7
moderate speeds and journal pressures.

Sliding: Fit not intended to run freely, but to turn

H7/g6
and move freely, and to locate accurately.

Locational Clearance: Fit provides snug fit for

H7/h6 locating stationary parts; but can be freely
TRANSITION METRIC FITS
H7/k6 Locational Transition: Fit for accurate location, a
compromise between clearance and interference.

H7/n6 Locational Transition: Fit for more accurate location

where greater interference is permissible.
INTERFERENCE

H7/p6 Locational Interference: Fit for parts requiring

rigidity and alignment with prime accuracy of
location, but without special bore pressure
requirements.

H7/s6 Medium Drive: Fit for ordinary steel parts or shrink

fits on light sections, the tightest fit usable with cast
iron.

H7/u6 Force: Fit suitable for parts which can be highly

 INTERNATIONAL TOLERANCE
GRADE (IT):

They are a set of tolerances that varies according to the

basic size and provides a uniform level of accuracy within
the grade.
STANDARD TOLERANCES
 INTERNATİONAL TOLERANCE GRADE NUMBERS
IT
Application Process Tolerance (m)
Grade

Slip blocks, reference gages 1-2 1

High quality gages, plus gages 2-3 2
Good quality gages, gap gages 3-5 3
Fits produced by lapping 4-10 4
Ball bearings, Diamond or fine boring, fine grinding 5-12 5
Grinding, fine honing 6-20 6
High quality turning, broaching 12-35 7
Center lathe turning and boring, reaming 14-50 8
Horizontal or vertical boring machine 30-80 9
Milling, slotting, planing, metal rolling or extrusion 50-100 10
Drilling, rough turning and boring, precision tubing 70-140 11
Light press work, tube drawing 120-240 12
Press work, tube rolling 150-500 13
Die casting or molding, rubber moulding 250-1000 14
Stamping 400-1400 15
Sand casting, flame cutting 500-2000 16
STANDARD TOLERANCES EXAMPLE
 SOME DEFINITIONS

• Basic Size: is the size from which limits

or deviations are assigned. Basic sizes,

usually diameters, should be selected

from a table of preferred sizes.

• Deviation: is the difference between the

basic size and the hole or shaft size.

 SOME DEFINITIONS

• Upper Deviation: is the difference

between the basic size and the

permitted maximum size of the part.

• Lower Deviation: is the difference

between the basic size and the minimum

permitted size of the part.

 SOME DEFINITIONS

• Fundamental Deviation: is the

deviation closest to the basic size.

• Tolerance: is the difference between

the permitted minimum and maximum

sizes of a part.
 DEFINITIONS
• Tolerance Zone: refers to the
relationship of the tolerance to basic
size. It is established by a combination
of the fundamental deviation indicated
by a letter and the IT grade number. In
the dimension 50H8, for the close
running fit, the H8 specifies the
tolerance zone.
 DEFINITIONS

• The hole-basis system of preferred fits is

a system in which the basic diameter is
the minimum size. For the generally
preferred hole-basis system, the
fundamental deviation is specified by
the upper-case letter H.
 DEFINITIONS

• The shaft-basis system of preferred fits

is a system in which the basic

diameter is the maximum size of the

shaft. The fundamental deviation is

given by the lowercase letter h.

 DEFINITIONS

• An interference fit results in an

interference between two mating parts

under all tolerance conditions.

• A transition fit results in either a

clearance or an interference condition

between two assembled parts.

 DEFINITIONS
• Tolerance symbols are used to specify
the tolerance and fits for mating parts.
For the hole-basis system ,the 50
indicates the diameter in millimeters;
the fundamental deviation for the hole
is indicated by the capital letter H, and
for the shaft it is indicated by the
lowercase letter f. The numbers
following the letters indicate this IT
grade.
 DEFINITIONS

• Note that the symbols for the hole and

shaft are separated by the slash.
Tolerance symbols for a 50-mm-diameter
hole may be given in several acceptable
forms. The values in parentheses for
reference only and may be omitted.
 TYPES OF TOLERANCES

• General Tolerances –Limit the error a

machinist is allowed on all dimensions,
unless otherwise specified
 TYPES OF TOLERANCES

• Linear Tolerances –Specific error limits

for a particular linear measurement.
 TYPES OF TOLERANCES

• Geometric Tolerances – Error limits,

not on the size, but on the shape of a
feature.
 GENERAL TOLERANCE

• Are specified in the title block of a

drawing.
• Must always be included on “real”
parts.

.
 LINEAR TOLERANCE

• Is an overriding tolerance which

specifies a tolerance for one specific
dimension.
• Can be listed in limit or deviation form,
but normally should be specified on an
engineering drawing in limit form.
• Should only be used in the case of real
necessity, not just because.
EXAMPLE OF LINEAR TOLERANCE

• The parts shown to the right illustrates

a linear tolerance shown in limit form.
“FORMS” OF LINEAR TOLERANCE

• Unilateral.
Variation in one
direction

• Bilateral.
Variation in two
directions

• Limit.
Max & Min. largest on
top
 TERMINOLOGY

• There are four parameters of interest:

– Hole Tolerance.

– Shaft Tolerance.

– Allowance.

– Maximum Clearance.
 HOLE TOLERANCE

• The difference between the diameters of

the largest and smallest possible holes.

• Determines the cost of manufacturing the

hole.

• Does not consider the Shaft at all.

 SHAFT TOLERANCE

• The difference between the diameters of

the largest and smallest possible shafts.

• Determines the cost of the shaft.

• Does not consider the Hole at all.

 ALLOWANCE

• The tightest fit between two mating parts.

• Determines how the two parts will

interact with one another.

• Smallest hole minus largest shaft.

– Or the “gap” between smallest hole &

largest shaft.

• Does not affect the cost of the parts.

 MAXIMUM CLEARANCE

• The loosest fit between mating parts.

• Determines how the two parts will

interact with one another.

• Largest hole minus smallest shaft.

– Or the “gap” between largest hole hole

& smallest shaft.

• Does not affect the cost of the parts.

FORMULAS FOR CALCULATION

• Hole Tolerance = LH - SH

• Shaft Tolerance = LS - SS

• Allowance = SH - LS

• Maximum Clearance = LH - SS

LH=Large Hole, SH=Small Hole

LS-Large Shaft, SS=Small Shaft

 OTHER DEFINITIONS
• Nominal Size - The approximate size of a
part.
• Actual Size - The measured size of a
finished part.
• Basic Size - The exact theoretical size for
a part, used to calculate the acceptable
limits.
• Hole Basis - A system of fits based on the
minimum hole size as the basic diameter.
GEOMETRIC
TOLERANCES
 GEOMETRIC TOLERANCES
• Geometric tolerancing is a system that

specifies tolerances that control location

form, profile, orientation, location, and

runout on a dimensioned part.

NOTE:
Many standard symbols are Used to represent
“Geotol” Relationships …parallel, perpendicular,
angular, round, and flat are fairly obvious
 GEOMETRIC TOLERANCES
• Feature control boxes (call outs) are used to
place geometric tolerances in most drawings.
Standard letter height is recommended (1/8-in or 3
mm)
GEOMETRIC TOLERANCES
USE OF A CALLOUT
USE OF A DATUM AND CALLOUT
WHY DO WE NEED TOLERANCES?

• To produce interchangeable parts.

• Assure that mating parts can be

assembled and disassembled with ease.

• Assure that interference fits can sustain

operating loads without slip or

separation.
WHY DO WE NEED TOLERANCES?

• The choice of tolerance is a compromise:

– Loose tolerances = low manufacturing

cost, easy assembly.

– Tight tolerances = interchangeability,

functionality, precision.
 TUTORIALS
FITS & TOLERANCES
 TYPES OF FITS

• Clearance Fit.

• Line Fit.

• Transition Fit.

• Interference Fit (Force Fit).

 CLEARANCE FIT

• In a clearance fit, the two parts will

always fit together with room to spare.

• In a clearance fit, the two parts will

always fit together with room to spare.

 CLEARANCE FIT

• As a team, calculate the:

Hole Tolerance.______

Shaft Tolerance.______

Allowance.__________

Clearance. __________

for the fit shown … 

 EXAMPLE SOLUTION

Hole Tolerance. .0007

Shaft Tolerance. .0004

Allowance. .0006

Clearance. .0017
 LINE FIT

• In a line fit, the two parts may fit

together with no room to spare

 LINE FIT
• In a line fit, the two parts may
fit together with no room to
spare

• As a team, calculate the:

Hole Tolerance._____

Shaft Tolerance._____
Allowance. _________
Clearance. _________

for the fit shown ……

 EXAMPLE SOLUTION

• Hole Tolerance. .0007

• Shaft Tolerance. .0010

• Allowance. 0

• Clearance. .0017
 TRANSITION FIT

• In a transition fit, the two parts may

either clear or interfere with each

other…probably the cheapest way to

manufacture products. Used with

selective assembly process

 TRANSITION FIT
• In a transition fit, the two
parts may either clear or
interfere with each other
• As a team, calculate the: Hole
Tolerance._____
Shaft Tolerance._____
Allowance._________
Clearance.__________
for the fit shown to the right. 
 EXAMPLE SOLUTION

Hole Tolerance. .045

Shaft Tolerance. .051

Allowance. .037

Clearance. .059
 INTERFERENCE FIT

• In an interference fit, the two parts will

always interfere with each other,

requiring a force or press fit

 INTERFERENCE FIT
• In an interference fit, the two
parts will always interfere
with each other, requiring a
force or press fit

• As pairs, calculate the Hole

 Tolerance.________

 Shaft Tolerance.________

 Allowance.____________

 Clearance._____________

• For the fit shown to the right.

 EXAMPLE SOLUTION

• Hole Tolerance. .013

• Shaft Tolerance. .016

• Allowance. .037

• Clearance. .008
 ENGLISH FITS
• ANSI standards list five type of fits:
– RC: Running and Sliding Clearance Fits
– LC: Clearance Locational Fits
– LT: Transition Locational Fits
– LN: Interference Locational Fits
– FN: Force and Shrink Fits

• Each of these has several classes below.

• The higher the class number, the greater
the tolerance and the looser the fit.
CLEARANCE FITS
METRIC FITS

Loose Running: For wide commercial tolerances

H11/c11
on external members.

Free Running: For large temperature variations,

H9/d9
high running speeds, or heavy journal pressures.

Close Running: For accurate location and

H8/f7
moderate speeds and journal pressures.

Sliding: Fit not intended to run freely, but to turn

H7/g6
and move freely, and to locate accurately.

Locational Clearance: Fit provides snug fit for

H7/h6 locating stationary parts; but can be freely
TRANSITION METRIC FITS
H7/k6 Locational Transition: Fit for accurate location, a
compromise between clearance and interference.

H7/n6 Locational Transition: Fit for more accurate location

where greater interference is permissible.
INTERFERENCE

H7/p6 Locational Interference: Fit for parts requiring

rigidity and alignment with prime accuracy of
location, but without special bore pressure
requirements.

H7/s6 Medium Drive: Fit for ordinary steel parts or shrink

fits on light sections, the tightest fit usable with cast
iron.

H7/u6 Force: Fit suitable for parts which can be highly

 METRIC EXAMPLE
• H11/c11 (loose running)

• Basic diameter 40 mm

– Hole size 40.160,40.000

– Shaft size 39.880,39.720

• Max Clear ????

• Allowance ????

• Hole Tolerance ????

• Shaft Tolerance ????

 METRIC EXAMPLE

• H11/c11 (loose running)

• Basic diameter 40 mm

– Hole size 40.160,40.000

– Shaft size 39.880,39.720

• Max Clear 0.440

• Allowance 0.120

• Hole Tolerance 0.160

• Shaft Tolerance 0.160

DISCUSSION /
QUESTIONS