We’re in the final stages of developing Alex’s new ISO geometrical tolerancing reference guide. At a little over 350 pages, this will be one of the most complete references for geometrical tolerancing on the market.

We’ll be taking pre-orders soon, and we’ll also be offering the guide in e-book format. Check back in the next couple of weeks for our pre-order 25% off sale.

More about Alex Krulikowski’s ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Reference Guide:

• Hidden spiral-binding allows it to lay flat
• It contains comprehensive reference charts inside the fold-out covers
• Index tabs are provided for easy access to any topic
• It can be used as an on-the-job reference or as a teaching aid
• One entire section is devoted to a quick comparison of ASME and ISO standards.

Topics include:

• ISO drawing conventions
• GPS basics
• Size and boundary conditions
• Limits and fits
• The datum-system
• Form tolerances
• Orientation tolerances
• Location tolerances
• Run-out tolerances
• Profile tolerances
• General tolerances
• Workpiece edges
• Surface texture
• ISO/ASME comparison
• A full glossary of ISO geometrical tolerancing terms
• Non-rigid parts
• Restraint specifications
• A topical index

Q – If a basic dimension does not show a specific tolerance what tolerance should be applied?

Elton Hughes

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A – Basic dimensions by nature are a theoretically exact value; however, the feature(s) of a part they define as ideal or exact do need to have tolerances to permit acceptable levels of imperfection during manufacturing.

When a feature is defined with basic dimensions, the tolerance for that feature must be expressed through a geometric tolerance. Most often, the geometric tolerance is indicated directly to the feature or feature of size on the face of the drawing; however, some companies include a general geometrical tolerance (such as a position tolerance or profile of a surface tolerance) in the drawing’s general notes. This can be an effective tool when the note is carefully written.

Drawings based on ISO standards frequently use a class of general geometrical tolerances standardized in ISO 2768-2 :1989. The three classes are identified through the use of the upper case letters H, K, or L after the ISO 2768 indication on the drawing. You would need a copy of the standard to interpret the amount of tolerance available.

If you are absolutely certain that a geometrical tolerance has not been applied to the basic dimension (check all drawing views), then the drawing must be considered as incomplete. Without a tolerance, selecting a manufacturing process for the considered feature is impossible to do with any amount of certainty, and there is no acceptance criteria to compare measurements to during the inspection process.

Thanks for writing,

Alex

Last month, I blogged about my new geometric tolerancing book that explains the use of ISO standards on technical drawings:

It’s a comprehensive book that can be used to learn the topic, and it’s also a great reference guide. The book is based on ISO 1101-2004 and companion standards.

ETI is offering a course this fall that utilizes the new book. The ISO Geometrical Tolerancing 3-day workshop will be held September 29th – October 1st, here in the Detroit area. The three-day ISO workshop will help you to understand engineering drawings that use the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

The course was written with three goals in mind:
1. To help you recognize what is required on a good (standard-compliant) drawing
2. To help you understand geometrical tolerances based on the ISO standards
3. To combine and explain information from dozens of ISO standards into a logical understandable topic

You’ll learn about …

• ISO drawing conventions
• GPS basics
• Limits and fits
• The datum system
• Form controls
• Orientation controls
• Location controls
• Run-out and profile controls
• General tolerances
• Workpiece edges
• Surface texture
• How ISO compares to ASME

If your company is interested in global sourcing and learning how to read drawings created in other countries, this workshop is vital to your success. It will teach you the ins and outs of utilizing the ISO standards and will give you a fundamental knowledge of ISO 1101:2004, related standards, and their application on drawings.

Those who attend the workshop will receive:

• Alex Krulikowski’s ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Reference Guide
• An ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Workbook
• Class handouts
• An official certificate of completion

Read more about the course and specific topics here. I hope to see you in the Detroit area for this exciting new workshop.

A few months ago, I created a survey asking whether companies plan to adopt the new Y14.5-2009 standard, stay with the 1994 standard, or change to ISO standards. Using statistics elicited from the survey responses, I have developed a white paper addressing these issues.

“Deliberations on Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards” is a 12-page paper that will help organizations decide what path may be the best for them. It includes a summary of the major changes to the ASME Y14.5 standard and insight into what other companies are planning. It also includes my deliberations and recommendations on changing dimensioning standards.

It’s available for $25 on our website.

I am working on a new geometric tolerancing book that explains the use of ISO standards on technical drawings. This comprehensive book can be used for multiple purposes: the topics are organized in a format conducive to learning the topic, plus it contains many features that make it a great reference guide. The book is based on ISO 1101-2004 and companion standards.

This is an exciting project, and I’m anxious to complete the final draft. The book is very close to the expert review stage. The process of having a team of technical experts proofread a new book is an important part of writing a technically sound book. I have learned from previous projects that it always results in a better product.

I have most of the proofreading team in place, but I would like to have three or four additional technical experts who are experienced in ISO GPS. Proofreading requires a commitment of your time. I am estimating the draft will be ready for review by mid to late June, and the technical review must be completed by about 30 days after that.

There is no pay for proofreading, but there are rewards. First, you will enjoy reading and dissecting each section of the book. You may even find some new information on some aspect of the ISO standards. Also, your name will be listed in the credits, and you will receive a free copy of the book when it is published.

If you are experienced in ISO GPS standards and would like to be part of the proofreading team, send me an email describing your expertise level, and I’ll add your name to the list of prospective technical experts for proofreading.

Sincere thanks,

Alex

By now, many of you have heard that ASME Y14.5-2009 has been released. The new version of the dimensioning and tolerancing standard for GD&T incorporates many significant changes, including:

• New symbols and terms
• Revisions to concepts, symbols, and terms
• Clarification to existing concepts

Many companies are in the midst of cost-reduction programs and are under intense pressure to increase productivity. As a result, the timing of this new standard’s release has caused an unexpected challenge for industry. Changing dimensioning and tolerancing standards is a major effort, and the decision should be made with as much information as possible.

Here at ETI, companies have been requesting information about what is going on in industry relative to dimensioning and tolerancing standards. With that in mind, I have created a short survey to collect statistics regarding companies’ plans for either adopting the new standard or adopting ISO standards.

When the survey is complete, I will share the results with all the survey participants. I will also provide a white paper of my personal insights on the benefits and risks of early adoption. It will discuss points to consider when deciding to adopt the new ASME standard or change to ISO standards.

I hope you will take a few minutes to complete this short, 10-question survey. The individual results will be confidential; only group data will be published.

Best regards,
Alex

I’ve just returned from the ISO TC213 meetings in Berlin. There are many interesting new changes in the works for upcoming ISO dimensioning and tolerancing standards.

I’ll give more detailed information regarding the workings of the ISO standards development in future blog entries.

As the globalization of manufacturing continues, I believe the ISO standards will play a more significant role in the U.S. The next ISO TC213 meeting is scheduled for September 2009 and is tentatively set to take place in San Antonio, Texas, USA.