If I specify a hole in a practically thin feature, such as a piece of sheet metal, is this still considered a cylindrical datum? Is this a poor choice of datum? In this article, we look at an example to help us answer these questions.
Surface finish and flatness both limit the amount of variation in a surface – one at the micro level and one at the macro level. Is it permissible to call out both on the same surface?
In our video question line, our GD&T instructors answer questions submitted by our students. In this video, we answer the question, “Is the Virtual Condition the same as the Tolerance Zone?”
Molly Olson is one of our expert GD&T Instructors, with a wealth of valuable real-world experience in quality control and inspection. She has spent nearly 20 years as a Quality Inspector and CMM Programmer and Operator across several different industries, including aerospace, firearms, robotics, and prosthetics.
How can datums be perfectly perpendicular to each other when the features themselves are likely imperfect? The feature axis and the datum axis derived from the feature are found in two different ways, using the Unrelated Actual Mating Envelope and the Related Actual Mating Envelope.
We often see a pattern of holes indicated as a datum feature in a GD&T drawing. How do we simulate this to create our datum reference frame?
Is it allowable to have identical Virtual Conditions for mating boss and bore features? Learn how to calculate and compare Virtual Conditions of mating features to understand the potential clearance between the assembled parts.
Can a single point (without clocking) be used as a secondary datum in a feature control frame? To answer this question, we first need to determine what datum feature is being represented by this single point. Read on to discover the answer to this commonly asked question from our GD&T students.
When applying position tolerances to countersunk fixed fastener assembly conditions, our design must not only ensure assembly, but also that the fastener head sits flush or below the surface of the part. We are able to determine the values required to achieve this by using the fixed fastener equation.
A chamfer is an edge feature commonly seen on part drawings, and consists of an angled cut on an internal or external edge of a part.
Fillets and rounds are both radial edge features, with fillets applied to internal edges and rounds applied to external edges.
“Break all sharp edges and remove all burrs,” is a common drawing note used to notify the manufacturer that the sharp edges and burrs produced by the manufacturing process must be removed from the part.
Knurling is a process used to create a pattern on the surface of a material by displacing or deforming the surface.
To understand the thread requirements on your drawing, you need to know common standard thread information. In this article, we will be discussing thread diameters, threads per inch and thread pitch.
A keyed joint is used to ensure orientation or restrict rotational movement between parts, as in the case of joining a shaft with a coupling. We discuss how a keyed joint is made and inspected in this article.
In this article, we outline the basic process for adding GD&T to your drawing using SolidWorks. The accompanying video goes into full detail, walking through the entire process for an example drawing.
Though many people refer to the GD&T Position symbol as "True Position," they are not the same thing. Read on to learn the difference between Position and True Position and how they work together to define the position of a feature.
Tolerance stacks can be a nightmare. However, when using GD&T rather than coordinate dimensioning, tolerance stack-ups within a part can be avoided.