Tolerances: Important To Interchangeability and Provision For Replacement Parts

The document discusses tolerances and how they are specified on engineering drawings. Tolerances define the permissible size range for dimensions and account for natural manufacturing variations. General tolerances are specified in notes while specific tolerances are placed next to individual dimensions. Fits between holes and shafts, such as clearance, interference, and transition fits, are defined using tolerance ranges established in international standards like ISO. Surface properties including texture and hardness are also important specifications.

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Tolerances: Important To Interchangeability and Provision For Replacement Parts

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Dinesh

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Tolerances

important to interchangeability and provision for replacement parts

It is impossible to make parts to an exact size. The tolerance, or accuracy
required, will depend on the function of the part and the particular feature being
dimensioned. Therefore, the range of permissible size, or tolerance, must be
specified for all dimensions on a drawing, by the designer/draftsperson.

Nominal Size: is the size used for general identification, not the exact size.

Actual Size: is the measured dimension. A shaft of nominal diameter 10 mm may

be measured to be an actual size of 9.975 mm.

General Tolerances:
In ISO metric, general tolerances are specified in a note, usually in the title block,
typically of the form: "General tolerances ±.25 unless otherwise stated".

In English Units , the decimal place indicates the general tolerance given in the
title block notes, typically:
Fractions = ±1/16, .X = ±.03, .XX = ±.01, .XXX = ±.005, .XXXX = ±0.0005,

Note: Fractions and this type of general tolerancing is not permissible in ISO
metric standards.
Specific Tolerances
Specific Tolerances indicate a special situation that cannot be covered by the
general tolerance.

Specific tolerances are placed on the drawing with the dimension and have
traditionally been expressed in a number of ways:

+0.05 40.05
40 - 0.03 40.01 +0.04
-
39.97

Bilateral Tolerance Unilateral Tolerance Limit Dimensions

Limits are the maximum and minimum sizes permitted by the the
tolerance. All of the above methods show that the dimension has:
a Lower Limit = 39.97 mm
an Upper Limit = 40.05 mm
a Tolerance = 0.08 mm

Manufacturing must ensure that the dimensions are kept within the limits
specified. Design must not over specify as tolerances have an exponential
affect on cost.
Limits and Fits
1. Clearance Fits
The largest permitted shaft diameter is smaller than
the diameter of the smallest hole
Max.
Clearance

Max. Min. Max.

Hole Hole Min.
Shaft Min.
Shaft Clearance

SHAFT
HOLE
Max.
Interference

2. Interference Fits
The minimum
permitted diameter Max. Min.
Max.
of the shaft is larger Hole Hole
Shaft
Min.
Shaft
Min.
Interference
than the maximum
diameter of the hole SHAFT
HOLE

3. Transition Fits
The diameter of the
largest allowable
Interference
or clearance
hole is greater than
that of the smallest Max. Min.
shaft, but the Hole Hole
Max.
Shaft
Min.
Shaft
smallest hole is
smaller than the SHAFT
largest shaft HOLE
Graphical illustration of ISO standard fits

Hole Series – H hole Standard

Selection of Fits and the
ISO Hole Basis system
From the above it will be realized that there are a very large number of
combinations of hole deviation and tolerance with shaft deviation and
tolerance. However, a given manufacturing organization will require a
number of different types of fit ranging from tight drive fits to light running
fits for bearings etc. Such a series of fits may be obtained using one of two
standard systems:

The Shaft Basis System:

For a given nominal size a series of fits is arranged for a given nominal size
using a standard shaft and varying the limits on the hole.

The Hole Basis System:

For a given nominal size, the limits on the hole are kept constant, and a series
of fits are obtained by only varying the limits on the shaft.

The HOLE SYSTEM is commonly used because holes are more difficult to
produce to a given size and are more difficult to inspect. The H series (lower
limit at nominal, 0.00) is typically used and standard tooling (e.g. H7 reamers)
and gauges are common for this standard.
ISO Standard "Hole Basis"
Clearance Fits
Type of Fit Hole Shaft
Loose Running Fits. Suitable for loose pulleys H11 c11
and the looser fastener fits where freedom of
assembly is of prime importance
Free Running Fit. Where accuracy is not H9 d10
essential, but good for large temperature
variation, high running speeds, heavy journal
pressures
Close Running Fit. Suitable for lubricated H8 f7
bearing, greater accuracy, accurate location,
where no substantial temperature difference is
encountered.
Sliding Fits. Suitable for precision location fits. H7 g6
Shafts are expensive to manufacture since the
clearances are small and they are not
recommended for running fits except in
precision equipment where the shaft loadings
are very light.
Locational Clearance Fits. Provides snug fit H7 h6
for locating stationary parts; but can be freely
assembled and disassembled.
ISO Standard "Hole Basis”
Transition Fits
Type of Fit Hole Shaft
Locational Transition Fits. for accurate H7 k6
location, a compromise between clearance and
interference
Push Fits. Transition fits averaging little or no H7 n6
clearance and are recommended for location fits
where a slight interferance can be tolerated for
the purpose, for example, of eliminating vibration.

ISO Standard "Hole Basis"

Interference Fits
Type of Fit Hole Shaft
Press Fit. Suitable as the standard press fit into H7 p6
ferrous, i.e. steel, cast iron etc., assemblies.
Drive Fit Suitable as press fits in H7 s6
material of low modulus of elasticity such as
light alloys.
Surface Properties -
Texture and Hardness

Surface Finish
0.4 With Roughness Value
Basic Surface Texture Symbol
(Typically Ra µm or µ”)

2
Material Removal by Machining With Machining Allowance

Hardness
Harden = HDN - may see symbol
Heat Treat = H/T
Rockwell = HRC, HRA etc or Ra or Rc
Brinell = BNL

0.4 HDN to 65 HRC 0.125 DP

Specifying Welds on Drawings
Weld all Around Weld on other side

6 30-50
Pitch
Length
Weld on arrow side
Width of weld 20
10
20

6 = Weld 6mm fillet 6 20-10 =

weld this side only

6
= Weld 6mm fillet
weld both sides 3

=
GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONING
AND TOLERANCING

TYPE OF
SEE UNIT
FEATURE TOLERANCE CHARACTERISTIC SYMBOL