Dimensioning

A drawing should provide a complete specification of the component to ensure that the design
intent can be met at all stages of manufacture. Dimensions specifying features of size, position,
location, geometric control and surface texture must be defined and appear on the drawing once only.
An example dimension is shown below:

All dimension, extension, and leader lines should be thin, sharp, dark lines (0.5mm). Extension
lines (projection lines) indicate the points between which the dimension figures apply. They are drawn
perpendicular to the dimension lines, sometimes start with a visible gap between them and the object,
and terminate (2-3 mm) beyond the last arrowhead. Each dimension should be terminated by
arrowheads touching the extension lines and pointing in opposite directions. Arrowheads are drawn
freehand and should be triangular, of uniform size and shape and filled in. The line should be broken
only at the approximate center for the dimension figures. Dimensions shown with dimension lines and
arrowheads should be placed to be read from the bottom of the drawing (unidirectional system). A
dimension line should never coincide with an object line or a center line, nor should it be an extension
of these lines. Both, however, may be used as extension lines.

Crossing of extension lines or dimension lines should be avoided if possible. Where such
crossings are unavoidable, there should be no break in either of the lines. However, if extension lines
cross dimension lines through the arrowheads, the extension line may be broken.

Dimensions should be at least (7 mm) from the object outline, then equally spaced at least (7
mm) apart. Dimensions are preferably placed outside the outlines of the views. When placement
outside the views will result in (a) dimensions too far from the distance they indicate, (b) long and
confusing extension lines or leader lines that cross other lines of the drawing, or (c) any confusion in
understanding where the dimension applies, they may be placed inside the view and close to the
distance they indicate.

As the distance dimensioned becomes less than about (12.7 mm), the space between extension
lines becomes too small for both arrowheads and figures. For these small dimensions the methods

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shown may be used. Each dimension should have two arrowheads associated with it, pointing in
opposite directions. Dimensions can 'share' arrowheads.

Dimensioning systems

Chain dimensioning

Chains of dimension should only be used if the function of the object won't be affected by the
accumulation of the tolerances. (A tolerance is an indication of the accuracy the product has to be made
to). A plan view of a twist drill stand is given in figure 1 to illustrate chain dimensioning. Now each of
the dimensions in the chain would be subject to a manufacturing tolerance since it is not possible to
mark out and drill each of the centre distances exactly. The overall length is shown in parentheses (157)
and is known as an auxiliary dimension. This dimension is not one which is worked to in practice but is
given purely for reference purposes.

Figure 1 Chain dimensioning

Parallel dimensioning

Improved positional accuracy is obtainable by dimensioning more than one feature from a
common datum, and this method is shown in figure 2. The selected datum is the left hand side of the
stand. In this case, the overall length is not an auxiliary dimension, but as a dimensional length in its
own right.

Figure 2 Parallel dimensioning

Superimposed running dimensioning

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 Superimposed running dimensioning simplifies parallel dimensions in order to reduce the space
used on a drawing. The common origin for the dimension lines is indicated by a small circle at the
intersection of the first dimension and the projection line. In general all other dimension lines are
broken. The dimension note can appear above the dimension line or in-line with the projection line.

Figure 3 Superimposed running dimensioning

Combined Dimensions

A combined dimension uses both chain and parallel dimensioning.

Figure 4 Combined dimensioning

Co-ordinates dimensioning

Two sets of superimposed running dimensions running at right angles can be used with any
features which need their centre points defined, such as holes. It is also possible to simplify co-ordinate
dimensions by using a table to identify features and positions

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 .

a) Dimensioning by co-ordinates b) Simplified dimensioning by co-ordinates

Figure 5 Co-ordinate dimensioning

Dimensioning Small Features

When dimensioning small features, placing the dimension arrow between projection lines may
create a drawing which is difficult to read. In order to clarify dimensions on small features any of the
above methods can be used.

Staggered dimensioning

For greater clarity, a number of parallel dimensions may be indicated as shown in figure 6:

Figure 6 Staggered dimensioning

Dimensioning circles

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 The symbol Ø preceding the figure is used for specifying diameters and it should be written as
large as the figures which establish the size, e.g. Ø65. Alternative methods of dimensioning diameters
are given below. The size of hole and space available on the drawing generally dictates which method
is better.

Figure 7 Dimensioning circles

Dimensioning radii

Dimension line is drawn through the arc centre or lies in a line with it in the case of short
distances and the arrowhead touches the arc.

Figure 8 Dimensioning radii

Dimensioning spherical radii and diameters

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 Figure 9 Dimensioning spherical radii and diameters

Angular dimensions

Angular dimensions on engineering drawings are expressed as follows:

(a) Degrees, e.g. 30°.

(b) Degrees and minutes, e.g. 30° 40′.
(c) Degrees, minutes and seconds e.g. 30° 40′ 20″.
For clarity, a full space is left between the degree symbol and the minute figure also between the
minute symbol and the second figure. In the case of an angle less than one degree it should be preceded
by 0°, e.g. 0° 25′. Figure 10 shows various methods of dimensioning angles.

Figure 10 Angular dimensioning

Tapers

The difference in magnitude between dimensions X and Y (whether diameters or widths)

divided by the length between them defines a ratio known as a taper. The size, form, and
position of a tapered feature can be defined by calling for a suitable combination
of the following:
1. the rate of taper, or the included angle;
2. the diameter or width at the larger end;
3. the diameter or width at the smaller end;
4. the length of the tapered feature;
5. the diameter or width at a particular cross-section, which may lie within or
outside the feature concerned;

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 6. the locating dimension from the datum to the cross-section referred to
above.
Care must be taken to ensure that no more dimensions are quoted on the drawing
than are necessary. If reference dimensions are given to improve
communications, then they must be shown in brackets, e.g. (1:5 taper).
Figure 11 gives four examples of the methods used to specify the size, form, and
position of tapered features.

Figure 11 Taper dimensioning

Dimensioning square or flats

Figure 12 shows a square machined on the end of a shaft so that it can be

turned by means of a spanner. The narrow diagonal lines are added to indicate
the flat surface

Figure 12 Dimensioning square and flats

Dimensioning principles

The overriding principle of dimensioning is clarity.

• Each feature of an object is dimensioned once, and only once.

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• Dimensions should be selected to suit the function of the object

• Dimensions should be placed in the most descriptive view of the feature being dimensioned.

• Dimensions should specify only the size of the feature. The manufacturing method should be
specified only if it is a mandatory design requirement.

• Angles shown as right angles on drawings are assumed to be 90 degrees unless otherwise
specified, and need not be dimensioned.

• Dimensions should be moved outside the boundaries of the object whenever possible.

• Dimension lines should be aligned and grouped where possible to promote clarity and uniform
appearance.

• Crossing extension and dimension lines should be avoided whenever possible.

• Extension lines should be broken if they cross, or are close to, arrowheads.

• Dimensions should be oriented to read from the bottom of the drawing.

• Diameters are dimensioned with a numerical value and the diameter symbol (zero with a slash
through it).

• Concentric circles (cylinders), should be dimensioned in a longitudinal (rectangular), view

where possible.

• Radii are dimensioned with a numerical value preceded by a radius symbol ( R ).

• When a dimension is given to, or through, the center of an arc, a small cross is shown at the
center (which is the result of the mid point of two center-lines crossing).

• A continuous series of dimensions should be aligned rather than staggered. Standard practice is
to place the shortest dimensions nearest to the object and space adjacent parallel dimension
lines further away from the object in order of their length