Perpendicularity symbol svg Perpendicularity can mean two very different things depending on which reference feature it is called out on. Surface Perpendicularity is a tolerance that controls the orientation and form of a surface with respect to a datum at 90 degrees. Axis/Midplane Perpendicularity controls the relationship of a datum and an axis or midplane at 90 degrees to each other.

 

Perpendicularity Symbol and Callout 

Perpendicularity applied to a surface or feature of size

Surface Perpendicularity:

Perpendicularity is a common symbol that requires the referenced planar surface to be perpendicular to a datum. The tolerance zone is orientated at 90 degrees from the datum, in which the surface referenced must lie within. The tolerance value is a distance (inches or millimeters) and creates a zone that the surface in question will have to be within. 

Feature of Size Perpendicularity:

An axis can also be controlled with Perpendicularity. When referenced on a circular feature, the feature control frame will contain the diameter symbol (Ø), indicating a diametric tolerance zone. Axis Perpendicularity can be applied to an external feature (pin/boss) or an internal feature (hole). When Perpendicularity is referenced for axial control of a feature of size, it specifies a cylindrical tolerance zone orientated at 90 degrees from the datum.

Additionally, MMC (maximum material condition) can be used on axis Perpendicularity to enable easier gaging of the part.  

A midplane can also be controlled with Perpendicularity. Perpendicularity can be applied to any internal or external width feature. When perpendicularity is referenced for a midplane control, the specified tolerance zone is orientated 90 degrees from a datum. 

Perpendicularity Tolerance Zone 

Surface:

The tolerance zone shape is two parallel planes orientated perpendicular to a datum and ensures that the entire feature falls within the tolerance zone. This zone controls the orientation of the surface as well as its form (flatness). 

Surface perpendicularity tolerance zone

Remember: Perpendicularity doesn’t control the angle of the referenced surface with degrees. The value within the feature control frame defines the width of a zone that the surface must reside within. 

Feature of Size:

For a cylindrical feature of size, the tolerance zone shape is a cylinder, and it is orientated perpendicular to the referenced datum. To pass the specification, the axis of the controlled feature must remain within that cylindrical tolerance zone. For midplanes (not pictured) being controlled with Perpendicularity, the tolerance zone is two parallel planes spaced apart by the listed tolerance value, and the midplane of the feature of size being controlled must remain within the two parallel planes. 

Tolerance zone for axis perpendicularity of a feature of size

How to Inspect Perpendicularity 

Surface

Surface perpendicularity can be measured by using a height gage, similar to a flatness inspection. The difference is we are orientating that surface with respect to the referenced datum in a way that allows us to inspect it relative to the inspection equipment. The main requirement is that the indicator is translated on a plane that is perpendicular to the datum simulator. The surface in question is then leveled to itself, and the deviations of the indicator are reported as perpendicularity error.

Surface perpendicularity inspection with datum simulator

Feature of Size 

Similar to the surface inspection, when measuring perpendicularity of a feature of size, we want to make sure the datum is simulated perpendicular to the plane of inspection. This allows our inspection equipment to align to the appropriate orientations established by the referenced datums. Then we can use a physical simulator to establish and measure the axis of the feature to determine its worst-case deviations of orientation relative to the datum.

Perpendicularity inspection for a feature of size

When the callout includes the MMC modifier, a functional gage (Go gage) can be used. The gage simulates the mating part — a pin of the virtual condition diameter is inserted into the hole while the part is seated on the datum. If the pin passes through while remaining perpendicular to the datum simulators, the combined size and perpendicularity requirements are satisfied. This is a pass/fail method and does not provide quantitative data. 

For midplanes, the goal is similar to axial controls. To inspect this with a fixed gage the MMC modifier must be used. Without the MMC modifier you must orientate the part to the datum simulator and use a best fit gage block to simulate the midplane; we would then take measurements from that gage block to understand if the midplane has deviated more than the allowed tolerance zone.
Remember, perpendicularity CANNOT control the location of any feature. It only assesses the orientation of the feature. 

Example and When to Use Perpendicularity 

The most common application of perpendicularity is to apply it to a secondary datum feature. This allows the engineer to control the orientation of the secondary datum feature with respect to the primary datum. This is the most control a singular secondary datum feature can have.  

Perpendicularity measurement setup

We can also use it commonly to refine the position tolerance when orientation needs to be held tighter than the locational controls.  Perpendicularity is very commonly called out on the axis of a hole, boss, or width feature. Almost always, your hole needs to be perpendicular to the surface it is drilled into. Remember, however, that position tolerances will also control the orientation of a feature. 

Perpendicularity Considerations  

Surface:

Perpendicularity is a specific angle of angularity. Angularity at 90 degrees is just Perpendicularity. Angularity at 0 degrees is just parallelism.  

Perpendicularity is also closely related to flatness when referenced or measured. When you specify Perpendicularity, flatness is implied (the tolerance zone shapes are the same – two parallel planes specified a certain distance apart). The big difference is that Perpendicularity is measured relative to a datum, where flatness isn’t. 

Axis/Midplane:

Perpendicularity is closely related to other orientation GD&T symbols when called out on an axis or midplane. The tolerance zone now refers to cylindrical envelope of an axis or two parallel planes spaced apart for a midplane. Perpendicularity and Parallelism can be called out on holes and cylindrical pins, often with MMC added. 

We cover the intricacies of Perpendicularity, how it’s interpreted, how it’s inspected, and the miscellaneous things you should know about this symbol in our GD&T Fundamentals Course as well as our GD&T Inspection Course. These courses show you everything you need to know about Perpendicularity and then some!

Perpendicularity course images



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