Engineering Drawing–I
Dimensioning Guidelines
Prepared By:
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari
Assistant Lecturer
Advanced College of Engineering
and Management - acem
Basic Knowledge for Drafting
Graphics Word
language language
Line Projection Geometric
types method construction Lettering
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 2
Elements of Engineering Drawing
Engineering drawing are made up of graphics language
and word language.
Graphics
language
Describe a shape (mainly).
Word
language
Describe size, location and
specification of the object.
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 3
Meaning of Lines
Visible lines represent features that can be seen in the
current view
Hidden lines represent features that can not be seen in
the current view
Center line represents symmetry, path of motion, centers
of circles, axis of axisymmetrical parts
Dimension and Extension lines indicate the sizes and
location of features on a drawing
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 4
Basic Line Types
Name according
Types of Lines Appearance
to application
Continuous thick line Visible line
Continuous thin line Dimension line
Extension line
Leader line
Dash thick line Hidden line
Chain thin line Center line
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 5
Types of Line
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 6
Line Conventions
• Visible Lines – solid thick lines that represent visible edges or contours
• Hidden Lines – short evenly spaced dashes that depict hidden features
• Section Lines – solid thin lines that indicate cut surfaces
• Center Lines – alternating long and short dashes
• Dimensioning
– Dimension Lines - solid thin lines showing dimension extent/direction
– Extension Lines - solid thin lines showing point or line to which dimension applies
– Leaders – direct notes, dimensions, symbols, part numbers, etc. to features on
drawing
• Cutting-Plane and Viewing-Plane Lines – indicate location of cutting planes for sectional
views and the viewing position for removed partial views
• Break Lines – indicate only portion of object is drawn. May be random “squiggled” line
or thin dashes joined by zigzags.
• Phantom Lines – long thin dashes separated by pairs of short dashes indicate alternate
positions of moving parts, adjacent position of related parts and repeated detail
• Chain Line – Lines or surfaces with special requirements
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 7
Viewing-plane
1 line
3Dimension 4
Center Line
2Extension Line
line 5Hidden Line
6Break Line
7Cutting-plane Line
8Visible Line
10
Center Line (of motion)
Leader
Phantom
14
Line
13
Section Line
12
SECTION A-A 11
VIEW B-B
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 8
Dimensioning Guidelines
The term “feature” refers to surfaces, faces, holes, slots, corners, bends,
arcs and fillets that add up to form an engineering part.
Dimensions define the size of a feature or its location relative to other
features or a frame of reference, called a datum.
The basic rules of dimensioning are:
1. Dimension where the feature contour is shown;
2. Place dimensions between the views;
3. Dimension off the views;
4. Dimension mating features for assembly;
5. Do not dimension to hidden lines;
6. Stagger dimensioning values;
7. Create a logical arrangement of dimensions;
8. Consider fabrication processes and capabilities;
9. Consider inspection processes and capabilities.
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 9
10
Scaling vs. Dimensioning
• Drawings can be a different scales, but
dimensions are ALWAYS at full scale.
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 11
Arrangement of Dimensions
• Keep dimension off of the part where possible.
• Arrange extension lines so the larger dimensions are outside of the smaller dimensions.
• Stagger the dimension value labels to ensure they are clearly defined.
12
Dimensioning Holes
• Dimension the diameter of a hole.
• Locate the center-line.
• Use a notes and designators for repeated
hole sizes 13
Dimensioning the Radius of an Arc
Dimension an arcs by its radius.
Locate the center of the radius or two
tangents to the arc.
14
Dimensioning Basic Shapes
• Rectangular Prism
15
Dimensioning Basic Shapes
• Cylinders
– Positive
– Negative
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 16
Dimensioning Basic Shapes
• Cone Frustum
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 17
Dimensioning Basic Shapes
• Circle Pattern Center Lines
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 18
Grouping Dimensions
• Dimensions should always be placed outside
the part
Yes No
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 19
Dimension Guidelines
Leader lines for diameters and radii should be radial lines.
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 20
Staggering Dimensions
• Put the lesser
dimensions closer
to the part.
• Try to reference
dimensions from
one surface
– This will depend
on the part and
how the
tolerances are
based.
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 21
Extension Line Practices
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 22
Repetitive Features
Use the Symbol ‘x’ to
Dimension Repetitive
Features
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 23
Easy Summary
Credit: Er. Prashant Ghimire
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 24
Easy Summary
Credit: Er. Prashant Ghimire
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 25
Easy Summary
Credit: Er. Prashant Ghimire
Er. Anil Mani Bhandari 26
