Geometric dimensioning
and tolerancing
What is GD & T?
It is a language of symbols and standards, designed and used by
engineers and manufacturers, to describe a product and facilitate
communication between entities working together to produce
something.
Tolerances are an allowable amount of variation. It’s important to
keep tolerances on engineering drawings in perspective.
By learning how to create a well structured GD&T, we will improve
communication with our machine shop and ensure everyone
involved is speaking the same language.
How to use GD & T?
Symbols are used to represent it.
It is a feature-based system, and parts are composed of features.
Geometric tolerances are applied to features by feature control
frames.
There are total 14 GD&T characteristics and corresponding symbols
that represents them.
These characteristics are grouped together into types of tolerance:
form, orientation, location, runout, and location of derived median
points.
Example of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
GD & T Symbols
GD & T Symbols (Cont’d)…
Datum & Features
The datum reference feature is the skeleton of the geometric
system – it’s the frame of reference to which the origin of all
dimensions and geometric specifications related to.
Datum's are points, axes (lines), and planes, that make up the DRF.
Datum features are the actual, physical features (holes, faces, slots,
etc.) on the part. Usually the features that mount the part in the
assembly are identified as DRF.
Difference between datum and datum feature
Feature Control Frame
The feature control frame states the requirements or instructions for
the feature to which it is attached.
Each feature control frame contains only one requirements; if two
requirements for a feature are necessary, two feature control
frames are required.
The first compartment of a feature control frame contains one of the
fourteen geometric characteristic symbols.
Feature Control Frame
Feature Control Frame
The second compartment of a feature control frame contains the total
tolerance for the feature.
Following the feature tolerance in the feature control frame, a material
condition modifier, such as MMC or LMC may be specified if the
feature has size, such as a hole. Terms to understand;
• MMC (Maximum Material Condition)
• LMC (Least Material Condition)
• RFS (Regardless of feature size)
Feature Control Frame
Feature Control Frame
However, if a location tolerance like position is specified, the datum
feature references are usually specified.
The primary is the first feature contacted (minimum contact at
3 points), the secondary feature is the second feature contacted
(minimum contact at 2 points), and the tertiary is the third feature
contacted (minimum contact at 1 point).
In certain situations, the datum feature modifiers Maximum Material
Boundary (MMB) or Least Material Boundary (LMB)
may be applied to the datum feature.
Feature Control Frame
Benefits of GD & T
A standardized design language
A clear and precise way for the customers, suppliers, and production
teams to communicate
A method for calculating the worst-case mating limits
Production and inspection processes are repeatable
Assembly is assured from qualified production parts
