LIMTS FITS AND TOLERANCES
Why study Limits & Fits?
• Exact size is impossible to achieve.
• Establish boundaries within which deviation from perfect form is allowed but still the
design intent is fulfilled.
• Enable interchangeability of components during assembly
Definition of Limits:
The maximum and minimum permissible sizes within which the actual size of a
component lies are called Limits.
LIMIT OF SIZES
There are two extreme
possible sizes of a
component.
The largest permissible
size for a component is
called upper limit and
smallest size is called
lower limit.
Tolerance:
It is impossible to make anything to an exact size, therefore it is essential to
allow a definite tolerance or permissible variation on every specified
dimension.
Why Tolerances are specified?
• Variations in properties of the material being machined introduce errors.
• The production machines themselves may have some inherent inaccuracies.
• It is impossible for an operator to make perfect settings. While setting up the tools and
workpiece on the machine, some errors are likely to creep in.
Consider the dimension shown in fig.
Unilateral Tolerance:
Tolerances on a dimension may either be unilateral or bilateral.
When the two limit dimensions are only on one side of the nominal size, (either above or below) the
tolerances are said to be unilateral.
For unilateral tolerances, a case may occur when one of the limits coincide with the basic size.
Bilateral Tolerance: When the two limit dimensions are above and below nominal size,
(i.e. on either side of the nominal size) the tolerances are said to be bilateral.
Unilateral tolerances, are preferred over bilateral because the operator can
machine to the upper limit of the shaft (or lower limit of a hole) still having the whole
tolerance left for machining to avoid rejection of parts.
Limits and Fits - Definitions
• Limits of size: The two extreme permissible sizes of a component between
which the actual size should lie including the maximum and minimum sizes of
the component.
• Nominal size: It is the size of the component by which it is referred to as a
matter of convenience.
• Basic size: It is the size of a part in relation to which all limits of variation are
determined.
Limits and Fits - Definitions
• Tolerance is the difference between the maximum limit of size and the
minimum limit of size.
• Fit expresses the relationship between a mating parts with respect to
the amount of clearance or interference which exists when they are
assembled together.
Limits and Fits - Definitions
• Deviation: It is the algebraic difference between a limit of size and the
corresponding basic size.
• Upper deviation - difference between the maximum limit of size and the
corresponding basic size. This is designated ‘ES' for a hole and 'es' for a shaft.
• Lower deviation - difference between the minimum limit of size and the
corresponding basic size. This is designated ‘EI' for a hole and 'ei' for a shaft.
• Allowance: It is the intentional difference between the hole dimensions and shaft
dimension for any type of fit.
SYSTEM OF FITS
• Fit is an assembly condition between ‘Hole’ & ‘Shaft’
• Hole: A feature engulfing a component.
• Shaft: A feature being engulfed by a component
Clearance fit: In this type of fit, the largest permitted shaft
diameter is less than the smallest hole diameter so that the shaft can
rotate or slide according to the purpose of the assembly.
Interference Fit:
• It is defined as the fit established when a negative clearance exists between
the sizes of holes and the shaft. In this type of fit, the minimum permitted
diameter of the shaft is larger than the maximum allowable diameter of the
hole. In case of this type of fit, the members are intended to be
permanently attached.
Ex: Bearing bushes, Keys & key ways
• Transition Fit: In this type of fit, the diameter of the largest allowable
hole is greater than the smallest shaft, but the smallest hole is smaller
than the largest shaft, such that a small positive or negative clearance
exists between the shaft & hole.
• Ex: Coupling rings, Spigot in mating holes, etc.
