The origin of GD&T is credited to Stanley Parker, who developed the concept of "true position". While little is known about Parker's life, it is known that he worked at the Royal Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. His work increased production of naval weapons by new contractors.
In 1940, Parker published Notes on Design and Inspection of Mass Production Engineering Work, the earliest work on geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.1 In 1956, Parker published Drawings and Dimensions, which became the basic reference in the field.2
A dimension is defined in ASME Y14.5 as "a numerical value(s) or mathematical expression in appropriate units of measure used to define the form, size, orientation, or location, of a part or feature."3: 3 Special types of dimensions include basic dimensions (theoretically exact dimensions) and reference dimensions (dimensions used to inform, not define a feature or part).
The units of measure in a drawing that follows GD&T can be selected by the creator of the drawing. Most often drawings are standardized to either SI linear units, millimeters (denoted "mm"), or US customary linear units, decimal inches (denoted "IN"). Dimensions can contain only a number without units if all dimensions are the same units and there is a note on the drawing that clearly specifies what the units are.4: 8
Angular dimensions can be expressed in decimal degrees or degrees, minutes, and seconds.
Every feature on every manufactured part is subject to variation, therefore, the limits of allowable variation must be specified. Tolerances can be expressed directly on a dimension by limits, plus/minus tolerances, or geometric tolerances, or indirectly in tolerance blocks, notes, or tables.
Geometric tolerances are described by feature control frames, which are rectangular boxes on a drawing that indicate the type of geometric control, tolerance value, modifier(s) and/or datum(s) relevant to the feature. The type of tolerances used with symbols in feature control frames can be:
Tolerances for the profile symbols are equal bilateral unless otherwise specified, and for the position symbol tolerances are always equal bilateral. For example, the position of a hole has a tolerance of .020 inches. This means the hole can move ±.010 inches, which is an equal bilateral tolerance. It does not mean the hole can move +.015/−.005 inches, which is an unequal bilateral tolerance. Unequal bilateral and unilateral tolerances for profile are specified by adding further information to clearly show this is what is required.
Main article: Datum reference
A datum is a theoretically exact plane, line, point, or axis.5: 3 A datum feature is a physical feature of a part identified by a datum feature symbol and corresponding datum feature triangle, e.g.,
These are then referred to by one or more 'datum references' which indicate measurements that should be made with respect to the corresponding datum feature. The datum reference frame can describe how the part fits or functions.
The purpose of GD&T is to describe the engineering intent of parts and assemblies.6 GD&T can more accurately define the dimensional requirements for a part, allowing over 50% more tolerance zone than coordinate (or linear) dimensioning in some cases. Proper application of GD&T will ensure that the part defined on the drawing has the desired form, fit (within limits) and function with the largest possible tolerances. GD&T can add quality and reduce cost at the same time through producibility.
According to ASME Y14.5, the fundamental rules of GD&T are as follows,7: 7–8
The following table shows only some of the more commonly used modifiers in GD&T. It is not an exhaustive list.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) provides two levels of certification: 50
Exchange of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) information between CAD systems is available on different levels of fidelity for different purposes:
In ISO/TR 14638 GPS – Masterplan the distinction between fundamental, global, general and complementary GPS standards is made.
ASME is also working on a Spanish translation for the ASME Y14.5 – Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standard.
MacMillan, David M.; Krandall, Rollande (2014). "Bibliography for Dimensioning and Tolerancing". Circuitous Root. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2018. https://www.circuitousroot.com/artifice/drafting/drawing-studies/dt/bibliography-for-dt/index.html#parker-1956 ↩
Dimensioning and Tolerancing, ASME Y14.5-2009. NY: American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7918-3192-2. 978-0-7918-3192-2 ↩
When applied to a feature of size. ↩
Automatically[b] ↩
When a maximal material condition modifier is used. ↩
"GD&T, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, GD&T, Flatness, Circularity, Flatness Tolerance, Circularity Tolerance". cobanengineering.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02. https://www.cobanengineering.com/GeometricDimensioningAndTolerancing/GeometricTolerancing_FormTolerances-Flatness.asp ↩
Can also be used as a form control without a datum reference. ↩
When a datum feature of size is referenced with the maximum material condition modifier. ↩
In the 2018 revision, both concentricity and symmetry were eliminated and are no longer supported. ↩
The symmetry symbol's characteristics were not included in the version of the chart that this chart is derived from. The symmetry symbol was dropped from the Y14.5M standard around 1982 and re-added around 1994. ↩
"Resources". Technical Training Consultants. 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-20. http://www.ttc-cogorno.com/Resources.htm ↩