GD & T Symbols, Terms and Definitions
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD & T) (sometimes refered to as GDT) Is a set of standard symbols which are used to define parts and assembly features and their tolerance zones in dimensioning engineering drawings. Also, it defines a part based on how it functions. Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing helps individuals to understand the design intent by allowing better tools for describing the drawings.
Currently, ASME Y14.5M - 1994 is the accepted geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standard.
COMMON TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Symbol |
Name |
Description |
Basic Dimension |
A numerical value used to describe the theoretically exact size, profile, orientation, or location of a feature or datum target. It is the basis from which permissible variations are established by tolerances on other dimensions, in notes, or in feature control frames. | |
Datum |
A theoretically exact point, axis, or plane derived from the true geometric counterpart of a specified datum feature. A datum is the origin from which the location or geometric characteristics of features of a part are established. | |
Datum Target |
A specific line, or area on a part used to establish a datum. | |
Datum Point |
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Maximum Material Condition (MMC) |
The condition in which a feature of size contains the maximum amount of material within the stated limits of size-for example, minimum hole diameter, maximum shaft diameter. | |
Least Material Condition (LMC) |
The condition in which a feature of size contains the least amount of material within the stated limits of size-for example, maximum hole diameter, minimum shaft diameter. | |
Regardless of Feature Size (RFS) |
The term used to indicate that a geometric tolerance or datum reference applies at any increment of size of the feature within its size tolerance. | |
Full Indicator Movement (FIM) |
The total movement of an indicator when appropriately applied to a surface to measure its variations (formerly called total indicator reading-TIR). | |
Virtual Condition |
The boundary generated by the collective effects of the specified MMC limit of size of a feature and any applicable geometric tolerances. |
Symbol |
Name |
Description |
Feature Control Frame |
The feature control frame consists of: A) type of control (geometric characteristic), B) tolerance zone, C) tolerance zone modifiers (i.e., MMC or RFS), D) datum references if applicable and any datum reference modifiers. |
TOLERANCES
Symbol |
Name |
Description |
Tolerance |
Flatness |
A two dimensional tolerance zone defined by two parallel planes within which the entire surface must lie. | Form |
|
Straightness |
A condition where an element of a surface or an axis is a straight line. | ||
Circularity |
A condition on a surface of revolution (cylinder, cone, sphere) where all points of the surface intersected by any plane perpendicular to a common axis (cylinder, cone) or passing through a common center (sphere) are equidistant from the axis of the center. | ||
Cylindricity |
A condition on a surface of revolution in which all points of the surface are equidistant from a common axis. | ||
Perpendicularity (squareness) |
The condition of a surface, axis, median plane, or line which is exactly at 90 degrees with respect to a datum plane or axis. | Orientation |
|
Angularity |
The distance between two parallel planes, inclined at a specified basic angle in which the surface, axis, or center plane of the feature must lie. | ||
Parallelism |
The condition of a surface or axis which is equidistant at all points from a datum of reference. | ||
True Position |
A zone within which the center, axis, or center plane of a feature of size is permitted to vary from its true (theoretically exact) position. | Location |
|
Concentricity |
A cylindrical tolerance zone whose axis coincides with the datum axis and within which all cross-sectional axes of the feature being controlled must lie. (note: this is very expensive and time consuming to measure. Recommended that you try position or runout as an alternative tolerance.) | ||
Profile of a Line |
A uniform two dimensional zone limited by two parallel zone lines extending along the length of a feature. | Profile |
|
Profile of a Surface |
A uniform three dimensional zone contained between two envelope surfaces separated by the tolerance zone across the entire length of a surface. | ||
Runout |
A composite tolerance used to control the relationship of one or more features of a part to a datum axis during a full 360 degree rotation about the datum axis.
Each circular element of the feature/part must be within the runout tolerance. |
Runout |
|
Total Runout |
A composite tolerance used to control the relationship of one or more features of a part to a datum axis during a full 360 degree rotation about the datum axis. |
References
Anonymous, 1994, Dimensioning and Tolerancing, ANSI Y14.5M-1994, ASME International, New York