GD&T

• GD&T stands for Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance as defined by ASME Y14.5M-1994.
• GD&T: An International Language
Geometric dimensioning and telebanking is an international language used on drawings to accurately
describe a part. The language consists of a well-defined set of symbols, rules, definitions, and conventions
that can be used to describe the size, form, orientation, and location tolerances of part features.
Dimensioning standards play a critical role in the creation and interpretation of engineering drawings. They
provide a uniform set of symbols, definitions, rules, and conventions for dimensioning.
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
This institute creates the engineering standards for North America.
ISO - International Organization for Standardization
This is a worldwide organization that creates engineering standards with approximately 100 participating
countries.
DIN - Deutsches Institut für Normung
The German Standards Institute created many standards used worldwide such as the standards for camera
film.
JIS - Japanese Industrial Standard
Created after WWII for Japanese standards.
CEN - European Standards Organization
Without standards, drawings would not be able to consistently communicate the design intent globally.
Some of the advantages of using GD&T on engineering drawings and product data sheets are that it:
• Uses data and datum systems to define dimensional requirements with respect to part interfaces.
• Specifies dimensions and related tolerances based on functional relationships.
• Removes ambiguity by applying universally accepted symbols and syntax.
• Provides information that can be used to control tooling and assembly interfaces.
• Expresses dimensional tolerance requirements using methods that decrease tolerance accumulation
• Uniformity in design practice
• Clear interpretation of tolerance classification.
• Ensure interchangeability
• Maximum tolerance allocation
Straightness - a condition where an element of a surface or an axis is a straight line
Flatness - is the condition of a surface having all elements in one plane?

Roundness - describes the condition on a surface of revolution (cylinder, cone,

and sphere) where all points of the surface intersected by any plane.
Cylindricity - describes a condition of a surface of revolution in which all points
of a surface are equidistant from a common axis.

Profile of a Line - is the condition permitting a uniform amount of profile

variation, ether unilaterally or bilaterally, along a line element of a feature.
Profile of a Surface - is the condition permitting a uniform amount of profile
variation, ether unilaterally or bilaterally, on a surface.
Angularity - is the condition of a surface, axis, or center plane, which is at a
specified angle from a datum plane or axis.
Perpendicularity - is the condition of a surface, axis, or line, which is 90 deg. From a
datum plane or a datum axis.

Parallelism - is the condition of a surface, line, or axis, which is equidistant at all

points from a datum plane or axis.

Position Tolerance - defines a zone within which the axis or center plane of a feature
is permitted to vary from true (theoretically exact) position.

Concentricity - describes a condition in which two or more features, in any

combination, have a common axis.

Symmetry - is a condition in which a feature (or features) is symmetrically disposed

about the center plane of a datum feature.

Run out - is the composite deviation from the desired form of a part surface of
revolution through on full rotation (360 dig) of the part on a datum axis.

Total Run out - is the simultaneous composite control of all elements of a surface at all
circular and profile measuring positions as the part is rotated through 360.
Maximum Material Condition (MMC) - is that condition of a part feature wherein it
contains the maximum amount of material within the stated limits of size. That is:
minimum whole size and maximum shaft size.

Least Material Condition (LMC) - implies that condition of a part feature of size
wherein it contains the least (minimum) amount of material, Examples, largest whole size
and smallest shaft size. It is opposite to maximum material condition.

Datum Feature - is the actual component feature used to establish a datum.

Basic Dimension - used to describe the exact size, profile, orientation or location of a
feature. A basic dimension is always associated with a feature control frame or datum
target. (Theoretically exact dimension in ISO)

Reference Dimension - a dimension usually without tolerance, used for information

purposes only. It does not govern production or inspection operations. (Auxiliary
dimension in ISO)

Feature Control Frame - is a rectangular box containing the

geometric characteristics symbol, and the form, run out or
location tolerance? If necessary, datum references and
modifiers applicable to the feature or the data are also
contained need in the box.
Modifiers
S: - Regardless of Feature Size
U: - Unilateral
FEATURE CONTROL SYMBOLS:

LENGTH AS REQUIRED

➢ Feature is a specific characteristic portion of a part.

➢ Point, line, surface, hole, slot, screw thread or profile.
➢ The frame height to be twice the height of the character used for dimensioning, telebanking and notes
on the drawing.
 STRAIGHTNESS

DEFINITION:
Straightness is a condition where an element of a surface or an edge is in a straight line.
TYPICAL USE:
Typically used to control the form of cylindrical or conical surfaces. The straightness
requirement applies to the entire surface
➢ Straightness tolerance is specified on a drawing by means of a feature control symbol,
which is directed by a leader to the line requiring control.

INTERPRETATION

0.05
 STRAIGHTNESS CHECKING WITH A STRAIGHT EDGE

• The lines should be straight within 0.05 mm.

• This means that the line should be contained within a tolerance zone consisting of the
area between two parallel straight lines in the same plane, separated by the specified
tolerance.

MEASURING
Straightness can be measured by bringing a straight edge in contact with the line, and
determining the space between the straight edge and the line.

APPLICATION
➢ Positioning the feature control symbol between the views should be avoided.
➢ Unless it is perfectly clear as to whether it refers to the lengthwise or widthwise
Straightness.
➢ If the cross section is circular the tolerance zone becomes circular and a
Diameter symbol then precedes the tolerance
 ➢ A straightness tolerance applied to a center line means that all centerlines between
opposing line elements of the surface shall lie completely within tolerance zones having
a width equal to the specified tolerance.

FORM TOLERANCING - FLATNESS

FLATNESS OF A SURFACE
➢ The condition of a surface having all elements in one plane.
INTERPRETATION
➢ The flatness tolerance specifies a tolerance zone defined by
Two parallel planes within which the surface must lie.

FORM TOLERANCING - FLATNESS

➢ The part of be measured is set up on a surface plate or measuring plane, using one fixed and two
adjustable supports spaced as far apart as possible.
➢ An indicator gage is set to zero on the area above the fixed support.
➢ The other supports are adjusted to give zero readings above each support.
➢ Readings are then taken at a sufficient number of points on the surface to ensure that the tolerance is
not exceeded.
 MEASURING PRINCIPLE

CONTROLLING FLATNESS ON TWO OR MORE SURFACES:

➢ If the same control is desired on two or more surfaces a suitable note may be added
instead of repeating the symbol
1. Primary Datum:

• If the primary datum is a flat surface, theoretically minimum three high spots on the
flat surface will come in contact with the surface of gauge.
2. Secondary datum:
 • If the part, while lying on the primary plane, is brought into contact with the secondary
plane, it will theoretically touch at minimum of two points.
3. Tertiary Datum:

• The part can slide along while maintaining contact with primary & secondary planes till
it contacts third plane.
• The third plane becomes the tertiary datum and theoretically touch at one point.

DATUMS AND THE THREE PLANE CONCEPT

IDENTIFICATION OF DATUMS:
Datum symbols are required to serve two purposes:
• To indicate the datum surface or feature on the drawing.
• To identify the datum features so that it can easily be referred to in other requirements.
DATUM INDICATOR SYMBOL
 ➢ It is a solid right-angled triangle, with a
leader projecting from the 90º apex.
➢ The base of the triangle should be
slightly greater than the height of the
lettering used on the drawing.

DATUM IDENTIFICATION SYMBOL

➢ Datum feature is identified by a capital letter placed
in a square frame, and connected to the datum
indicator symbol.

POSITION OF IDENTIFIED DATUMS

• Each datum feature must be identified, using a capital letter under the following circumstances.
• When two or more datum features are associated with the control of a single feature.
• The datum letter or letters are then placed in the feature control symbol frame by adding an extra
compartment for each datum reference.
• If two or more datum references are involved they must be shown in correct order, i.e. in primary,
secondary, and tertiary data.
ORIENTATION DEFINITION
• Orientation refers to the angular relationship, which exists between two or more lines, surfaces, or
other features.
SYMBOLS FOR GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS.
 • ANGULARITY

• PERPENDICULARITY

• PARALLELISM

ANGULARITY WITHOUT DATUM IDENTIFICATION SYMBOLS

• Angularity is the condition of a surface, center plane, or axis at a specified angle from a datum plane
or axis.

APPLICATION
➢ The angle between the datum and the controlled features should be stated as the basic angle
➢ It should be enclosed in a rectangular frame to indicate that the general tolerance note does not
apply.
➢ The angle may also be specified as the rate of taper, by means of a note, such as BASIC TAPER 0.25
PER mm.

TOLERANCE ZONES – SURFACES

The tolerance zone for an angularity, perpendicularity, and parallelism tolerance is the space between two
parallel planes separated by the specified tolerance and related to the datum by the basic angle. All points on
the controlled surface must be contained within this space.

PERPENDICULARITY:
 DEFINITION
Perpendicularity is the condition of a
surface, center plane, or axis at a right
angle to a datum plane or axis.

PARALLELISM:

DEFINITION
Parallelism is the condition of a
surface, center plane, equidistant at all
points from a datum plane; or axis at
equidistant along its length from one or
more datum planes or a datum axis.

Roundness:
Roundness refers to a condition of a circular line or the surface of a circular feature wherein all points on the
line or on the periphery of a plane cross section of the feature, are equidistant from a common center point.
Examples: Disc, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone
Joviality: Difference appear in major and minor axes.
Joviality: Difference appear in major and minor axes.
Irregularity: Random irregularities from a true Circles.

ROUNDNESS OF CYLINDERS AND SPHERES:

ROUNDNESS FOR INTERPRETATION OF

A CYLINDRICAL FEATURE ROUNDNESS TOLERANCE

➢ It is preferable to direct a roundness tolerance for a cylindrical feature to the view in

which the feature appears as a circle.
➢ The tolerance applies to all planes perpendicular to the axis.

Cylindricity:
• Cylindricity refers to a condition of a surface, which forms a cylinder where the surface elements in
cross sections parallel to the axis are straight and parallel and in cross sections perpendicular to the
axis are round.
 • Cylindricity thus combines in one term geometrical form tolerances for roundness, straightness and
parallelism of the surface elements.
• Cylindricity tolerances can only be applied to cylindrical surface, such as round holes and shafts.
• No specific geometrical tolerances have been devised for other circular forms, which require the use
of several geometrical tolerances.
• A conical surface, for example, must be controlled by a combination of tolerances for roundness,
straightness, and angularity.

CYLINDRICITY TOLERANCE
A Cylindricity tolerance specifies a tolerance
zone consisting of the annular space between
two coaxial cylinders, having a difference in
radii equal to the specified tolerance zone of
0.05 on radial dimension.

SYMMETRY:
DEFINITION
 ➢ Symmetry is a condition in which a feature or features are symmetrically disposed about a centerline
or center plane of another feature. The centerline or plane of the second feature is usually specified
as a datum.
➢ A symmetry tolerance specifies the width of a tolerance zone. This width is the area between two
parallel lines or the space between two parallel planes equally disposed about the datum axis or
median plane.
➢ Symmetry is therefore a special case of position. The advantage of using the symmetry symbol
rather than the position symbol is that it indicates that the true position is symmetrical and often
eliminates the need for basic dimensions to correlate the position of features

SYMBOL
➢ The geometric characteristic symbol for symmetry consists of three horizontal lines, as
shown in Fig. The dimensions refer to percentages of the feature control symbol frame height.

SYMMETRY APPLICATIONS –

1. Fig shows a simple example in which

a slot is intended to be symmetrical with
the overall width of the part, which in
turn is specified as the datum.
2. Note that it is not necessary to show
a true position dimension for the slot or
equal dimensions from the sides of the
slot to the sides of the part, which might
be deemed necessary if a positional
tolerance, were used.

CONCENTRICITY:
➢ Concentricity is a condition in which two or more features, such as circles, spheres, cylinders, cones,
or hexagons, share a common center or axis.
➢ An example would be a round hole through the center of a cylindrical part.
 ➢ The geometric characteristic symbol for both concentricity and coaxially consists of two concentric
circles, having diameters equal to 75% and 50% respectively of the feature control symbol frame height

CONCENTRICITY TOLERANCING:

• Diameter A is the Datum

Circle
• Concentricity Tolerance is
applied to the outer circle
• The Circle with 0.12 Dia. is
the tolerance zone

CONCENTRICITY OF CIRCLES

COAXIALITY:
➢ Coaxially is a very similar condition in which two or more circular or similar features are arranged
with their axes in the same straight line.
➢ Examples might be a counter bored hole or a shaft having parts along its length turned to different
diameters.

➢ Both these terms are often used interchangeably. For geometrical telebanking the same symbol is used
for both conditions.
POSITIONAL TOLERANCING:
➢ The location features are shown by
co-ord. Dimensions/polar & angular
dimensions.
➢ The dimensions are commonly
known as true dimensions and
represents only basic sizes.
➢ Dimensions enclosed in a
rectangular frame indicate exact
value.
➢ Permissible deviations from true
position are indicated by positional
tolerance.
➢ PT may be specified in MMC, RFS.

SYMBOL FOR POSITION:

POSITIONAL TOLERANCING – REGARDLESS OF FEATURE SIZE

Correlative Tolerances – Run out:
Run out is the deviation in position of a surface of revolution as a part is revolved about a
datum axis.
➢ A run out tolerance represents the maximum permissible variation of position of a surface, measured
at a fixed point, when the part is revolved without axial movement through 360 about the datum axis.
➢ The tolerance zone is the area or space, of uniform thickness, between two shapes coaxial with the
datum axis and parallel to the true profile of the controlled surface.
➢ The run out variation is measured normal to the surface being controlled by contacting the surface with
an indicator gage while the part is revolved on it datum axis.

➢ The run out error is the full movement of the indicator.

Circular Run out and Total Run Out:

Circular Run out Total Run out

➢ Circular Run out Concerns Run out of each Circular element or Cross Section
➢ Total Run out provides composite control of all surface elements.
RUNOUT OF CURVED SURFACE
RUNOUT OF CURVED SURFACE
Measurements are always made normal
to the curved surface.

RUNOUT IN SPECIFIED
DIRECTION
All measurements are made in the
same direction of 45O to the axis if
specified in the drawing.

TOTAL RUNOUT:

➢ Total run out concerns the run out of a complete surface, not merely the run out of each circular
element.
➢ For measurement purposes the checking indicator must traverse the full length or extent of the
surface while the part is revolved about its datum axis
➢ Measurements are made over the whole surface without resetting the indicator.
➢ Total run out is the difference between the lowest indicator reading in any position, and the highest
reading in that or in any other position on the same surface.