Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Mechanical Engineering designs are becoming ever more complex, as the demands on the

design engineer are increasing, even more than what the commonly available manufacturing processes and set-ups could meet. Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing is essential for successful sourcing today. Understanding of these will certainly aid a Sourcing Engineer to identify a prospective Source, assess them and zero in on. This knowledge is useful even for a preliminary Engineering Feasibility study. Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing helps us to avoid the confusion (ambiguity) borne out of the limits permitted for each datum. The degree of compliance with GD&T ensures the level of precision possible with the part being machined. A thorough appreciation of this requires some working experience in Metrology and Machining/Process Accuracies possible with various available Manufacturing methods. The Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing ensures the end use Quality and reliability by insuring the relational orientation of parts in a Sub Assembly, or an Assembly, irrespective of the manufacturing tolerances permitted. Sources are to be selected based on their track record of Process Capability achieved with respect to the Geometric Dimensional , Tolerance Compliance. The compliance with GD&T spex of a part will demand specialized gauging and inspection devices. Development Feasibility of these coupled with Manufacturing capability will also dictate initial source selection. Prepared: K.Mohan Rev:00 Date: 26-Mar-2007