GD&T 4 Tolerance Zones

Tolerance Zones • Non-circular

– Bounded by parallel lines or planes

• Circular
– Specified by diameter symbol - 

2X .500 13 UNC – 2B
.010 M P 1.25 C D E
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GD&T Summary Chart (see web site) Flatness Lab - Drawing

Tolerance zone = two parallel planes 4 mm apart

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 GD&T Summary Chart (see web site) Flatness Lab - Interpretation
RFS = Regardless of Feature Size

4 mm

• All parts of surface must lie between parallel planes

• Planes may be any orientation relative to part
• They are not associated with any datums
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Lego Lab - Drawing GD&T Summary Chart (see web site)

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 Lego Lab - Interpretation Rule of Thumb
• GD&T tolerance values are typically
less than half the size limits.

Tolerance zone
width

Tolerance zone Size limits

Perpendicular to datum plane A
GD&T tolerance
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Perpendicularity of Axis Circular Runout Lab - Drawing

Circular tolerance zone

.05

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 GD&T Summary Chart (see web site) Circular Runout Lab - Testing
1. Clamp part on center hole (datum A)
2. Rotate about axis and measure runout with dial indicator

Tolerance zone =
Area between 2 circles

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Runout of Non-Cylindrical Parts Verifying Form

The tolerance zone is a Gages are used to measure variation - e.g. “runout”
pair of perfect circles, the
tolerance value apart, and
perfectly centered on the
datum axis. But the
diameters of the circles
may vary as you move
along the part.

Motion of tip is displayed to 0.001” precision

Dial indicator
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 Snowboard Binding - Drawing GD&T Summary Chart (see web site)

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Snowboard Binding - Testing Snowboard Binding - Testing

Datum Feature A
Datum Feature C
Smooth surface locates part flat
Wedge centers part on notch

Datum Feature B
Three jaws move in and out together
to center cylindrical feature

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 Snowboard Binding - Testing
Tolerance zones for location of hole axes are cylindrical
They are perfectly perpendicular to datum A,
and they are located exactly by the basic dimensions

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