Ch.

9 Tolerancing
Objective: Learn how to present tolerance,
types of tolerance presentation, fit types
and terminology

Why tolerance is so important in manufacturing

Types of tolerance presentation
Important terms you want to be familiar with
Fit types
Basic hole vs. basic shaft system
Concept of geometric dimensioning and
tolerancing
Tolerancing why is it needed?

Tolerance = the total amount a dimension

may vary and is the difference between the
maximum and minimum limits (e.g.
4.6500.003)
Tolerances are used to control the
variation existing on all manufactured
parts.
Toleranced dimensions control the amount
of variation on each part of an assembly.
Tolerances allow for interchangeable
parts. Parts made by different companies
functionally fit although they may not
perfectly fit.
Tolerance Presentation
Direct limits, or as tolerance values applied
directly to a dimension
geometric tolerances
Notes referring to specific conditions
A general tolerance note in the title block

All decimal dimensions

to be held to .002

Note: A tolerance added to a dimension

always supersedes the general tolerance,
even if the added tolerance is larger than
the general tolerance.
 Direct limits vs. tolerance values
Direct limits:
ASME preferred
method the max
and min sizes are
specified as part of
the dimension.
Plus and minus
dimensions: the
base size is given,
followed by a
plus/minus sign and
the tolerance value
Unilateral and
bilateral tolerance.
 Important terms
Nominal size = a
dimension used to
describe the general size
Basic size = the
theoretical size used as
a starting point for the
application of tolerances
Actual size = the
measured size of the
finished part after
machining
Limits = the max and
min sizes shown by the
toleranced dimension
Allowance = the min
clearance or maximum
interference between
parts, or the tightest fit
between two mating
 Important terms
Tolerance = the (cont)
total
allowable variance in a
dimension
Max material condition
(MMC) = the condition of
a part when it contains
the greatest amount of
material
Least material
condition (LMC) = the
condition of a part when
it contains the least
amount of material
possible
Piece tolerance = the
difference between the
upper and lower limits of
a single part
System tolerance =
 Fit types
Type 1: Clearance fit = Occurs when two toleranced
mating parts will always leave a space or clearance
when assembled
Type 2: Interference fit = Occurs when two
toleranced mating parts will always interfere when
assembled
 Fit types (cont)
Type 3: Transition fit = Occurs when two toleranced
mating parts are sometimes and interference fit and
sometimes clearance fit when assembled.
 Fit type
determination

The loosest fit

is the difference
between the
smallest feature A
and the largest
feature B.
The tightest fit
is the difference
between the
largest feature A
and the smallest
feature B.
 About
functional
dimensioning
Functional
dimensioning
When dimensioning
a part, identify the
functional features
first. Functional
features are those
that come in
contact with other
parts, especially
moving parts.
Dimension and
tolerance these
features first, then
do all the
remaining features.
 Tolerance stack-
up

The additive rule

for tolerance is
that tolerances
taken in the same
direction from one Different
point of reference
are additive. The reference
corollary is that edges
tolerances to the were used
same point taken in this
from different case.
directions become
additive.
Eliminating
tolerance stack-
up

In this method,
tolerance stack-
up eliminated by
using the same
reference edges.
 Standard precision
fits
Running and sliding fits (RC) = the loosest of the
fit classes. Good for moving parts. There is always
clearance between the shaft and the hole.
Clearance locational fits (LC) = Tighter than the
RC class fits, but the shaft and hole may be the
same size (line-to-line fit)
Transition locational fits (LT) = the transition
between LC and LN fits.
Interference locational fits (LN) = Pure
interference fits, where the shaft is always
considered larger than the hole. Used to transmit
torque, e.g. securing a pulley or bearing to a
shaft, even if there is a twinting force.
 Basic size = the exact theoretical
size from which the limits of mating
parts are assigned when tolerancing.
Basic hole system = the smallest hole is assigned the basic
diameter from which the tolerance and allowance are applied.
(more popular than the basic shaft system because of ease to
control the hole size)
Basic shaft system = the largest diameter of the shaft is
assigned the basic diameter from which all tolerances are
applied.
Applying tolerances for a clearance
fit using the basic hole system
 Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
(GDT)
Size tolerances alone are sometimes not enough to
meet the design needs of a part. Relationships
between features may also need to be controlled.
In such cases, notes can be added to the drawing
defining these relationships. And these extra notes
can be placed by geometric dimensioning. The GDT
symbols specify concise requirements for features.
Feature control
box
GDT
symbol
s
Examples of feature control frames