Concept of Limits, fits & tolerances
SHAFT
A shaft is defined as a member which fits into another member. It may be stationary
or rotating. The popular concept is a rotating shaft in a bearing. However when
speaking of tolerances the term “shaft” can also apply to member which has to fit into a
space between two restrictions, for example a pulley wheel which rotates between two
side plates. In determine the clearance fit for the boss is regarded as the “shaft”.
HOLE
A hole is defined as the member which houses or fits the shaft. It may be stationary or
rotating, for example, a bearing in which a shaft rotates is a “hole”. However, when
speaking of tolerances, thee term hole can be also apply to the space between two
restrictions into which a member has to fit, for example the space between two side
plates in which a pulley rotates is regarded as a “hole”.
Fig
3.1.
BASIC SIZE
This is the size about which the limits of particular fit are fixed. It is the same for
both “shaft” and “hole”. It is also called the “nominal size” (Fig 3.1).
TOLERANCE
Tolerance is defined as the difference between maximum and minimum limits of size
for a hole or shaft. It is also the difference between the upper and lower deviations (Fig
3.1).
3.2 FIT
A fit may be defined as the relative motion which can exist between a shaft and hole
(as defined above) resulting form the final sizes which achieved in their manufacture.
There are three classes of fit in common use : clearance, transition and interference.
i) CLEARANCE FIT
This fit results when the shaft
size is always less than the hole size
for all possible combinations within
their tolerance ranges. Relative
motion between shaft and hole is
always possible.
The minimum clearance occurs
at the maximum shaft size and the
minimum hole size.
The maximum clearance occurs
at the minimum shaft size and the
maximum hole size.
Clearance fits range from coarse or very loose to close precision and location.
A few possible combinations are given in Table 1.
ii) TRANSITION FIT
A pure transition fit occurs
when the shaft and hole are exactly
the same size. This fit is theoretically
the boundary between
clearance and
interference and is practically
impossible to achieve, but by
selective assembly or careful
machining methods, it can be
approached within very fine limits.
I
E
Practical transition fits result when the tolerance are such that the largest
U
N
hole is greater than the smallest shaft and the largest shaft is greater than the
smallest hole. Two transition fits are given on the data sheet.
Relative motion between shaft and hole is possible when clearance
E
M
exists but impossible when interference exists.
iii) INTERFERENCE FIT
This is a fit which always results in
the minimum shaft size being larger
than the maximum hole size for all
R
possible combinations within their
tolerance ranges. Relative motion
between the shaft and hole is
impossible.
The minimum interference
occurs at the minimum shaft size and
maximum hole size.
The maximum interference
A
SIC
B
occurs at the maximum shaft size
and minimum hole size.
3.3 ALLOWANCE
Allowance is the term given to the minimum clearance ( called positive allowance) or
maximum interference (called negative allowance) which exists between mating parts.
It may also be describe as the clearance or interference which gives the tightest possible
fit between mating parts.
3.4 BASIC HOLE SYSTEM
Fits are obtained by regarding the hole as standard with
a zero fundamental deviation and varying the
fundamental deviations of the shaft to suit. The data
sheet Table 1 is based on this system which is also
known as unilateral hole basis system because the
disposition of the hole tolerance zones are all on the
positive side of the basic size.
3.5 BASIC SHAFT SYSTEM
The hole basis system is most commonly used
because it is easier to produce standard holes by
drilling or reaming and then turning the shaft to suit
the fit desired. Measurements can also be made more
quickly and accurately on shaft sizes than on hole
sizes.
In some cases. However, a shaft basis system may
be desirable. For example when driving shaft has a number of different parts fitted to
it, it is preferable to give the shaft a constant diameter and bore out the various parts to
give the required fit for each.
3.6 APPLICATION OF TOLERANCES TO DIMENSIONS
Tolerances should be specified in the case where a dimension is critical to the proper
functioning or interchangeability of a component.
A tolerance can also be supplied to a dimension which can have an unusually large
variation in size.
General tolerances. These are generally
quoted in note form and apply when
the same tolerance I applicable all over
the drawing or where different
tolerances apply to various ranges of
sizes or for a particular type of
member. The following examples
illustrate the use of general tolerance.
Individual tolerance. For tolerancing individual linear dimensions one of the
following method may be used. In some cases the fits are designated and values are
taken form the data sheet in Table 1.
BASIC SIZE 85mm FIT H9 - d10
3.7 Limit dimensioning. By specifying both limits
or size and placing them above and below the
dimension line. This is the most foolproof
method for general use.
Ø 84.88
Ø 84.74
Ø 84.087
Ø 85
Plus or minus dimensioning. By specifying the basic size followed by the limits
of tolerance above and / or below the basic size.
a) when the limits are equally disposed above and below the basic size.
b) when the limits are not equally disposed above and below the basic size.
The upper limit should always be shown in the upper position and lower
limit in the lower position. This applies to both shafts and holes
UNILATERAL SYSTEM OF
TOLERANCE This tolerance
allows variation in only one
direction form the basic size. This
method is advantageous when a critical size is approached as material is removed during ma
BILATERAL SYSTEM OF TOLERANCE
This tolerance allows variation in
both directions from the basic size.
Bilateral tolerances are usually given
with location dimensions or with any
dimensions that can be allowed to
vary in either direction.
If it is desired to specify an equal variation in both directions, the combined plus
or minus symbol is used with a single value.
Fig 3.2. Example of Limit Dimensioning
