I always enjoy a lively discussion (and even some debates) about GD&T,  so I’ve started a new group on LinkedIn to get the conversation started.

The GD&T/Dimensional Engineering group was formed to discuss real world cases and practical solutions related to the topics of engineering drawing standards, GD&T usage, inspection, design analysis, and tolerance stack-ups.

Topics include ASME Y14.5M-1994, ASME Y14.5-2009, ISO GPS, tolerance stacks, gaging and measurement, and GD&T training. If we find the need, we’ll make the most-discussed topics into their own subgroups.

Please take advantage of my open invitation to my fellow GD&T professionals and connect with me on Linkedin.

Join the group.

Alex will personally sign his new ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Reference Guide for those who pre-order during the special 25% sale. Read more about the reference guide.

Until April 30, 2010, you can pre-order your copy of the ISO reference guide for only $71, a savings of $24 off the $95 introductory price. Estimated shipping date for the book is mid-May, 2010.

Act now to save money and receive a personally autographed copy of the book.

Alex Krulikowski’s ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Reference Guide is now available for pre-order. The book has taken more than a year to complete and compiles a large amount of information about ISO 1101:2004 and its companion standards into one comprehensive, easily accessible reference guide. This handy reference saves companies from purchasing, researching, and organizing much of the information themselves.

The four major benefits the reference guide provides to your company include:

Ease of Use
ISO standards are organized as single topic documents. This system often means that several ISO standards are required to obtain a complete understanding of a subject. For example, ISO 5458 is the standard on the position tolerance; however, ISO 1101 – Geometrical Tolerances, and ISO 5459 – Datum Specification are also required if one has any hope of understanding any position tolerance specification. In addition, some applications would require ISO 10578:1992 -  Projected Tolerance Zones, and ISO 10579-NR -  Non-rigid Parts to understand a position tolerance specification.

The ISO Reference Guide simplifies using ISO standards by collecting volumes of information into one book with clearly marked topics. Cross-referenced concepts, a glossary, a topical index, and hundreds of easy-to-understand tables and figures complete the explanation of ISO practices. This thorough guidebook explains basic ISO dimensioning concepts and conventions, geometrical tolerances, surface texture and imperfections, and even includes a symbol-by-symbol comparison of ASME Y14.5 and ISO specifications.

Time Savings
Alex and two other dimensional engineering experts spent over a year completing the research, comparison, and analysis of the ISO geometrical product specification (GPS) system. This collective effort, combined with Alex’s insights from his contributions to the ISO TC213 Committee, increased the ability to sort through seemingly conflicting or vague ISO requirements. In industry, this reference guide can save companies hundreds of hours searching for tolerancing information spread over dozens of ISO standards.

Cost Savings
Most companies require multiple copies of their applicable standards. Even if a company could operate with one set of ISO standards for the engineers and designers in a technical center, one set for the machinist and inspectors in the plant, and one set for managers and senior staff to support sales negotiations and contract reviews, the cost could easily be more than $1000 US for each set of standards. Alex Krulikowski’s ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Reference Guide provides an accurate and easy-to-read explanation of these requirements for around $100 US.

Comprehensive Understanding of ISO GPS System
Alex Krulikowski’s ISO Geometrical Tolerancing Reference Guide is written with the influence of nearly 70 ISO geometrical product specification (GPS) standards. More than 20 ISO GPS standards are directly covered in the text, with dozens more cited throughout the book. This reference guide provides the user with a comprehensive understanding of the ISO GPS system and prepares the reader to better understand the text of the ISO standards themselves.

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.

Look inside the book.

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 – Can you please explain the meaning of the following tolerance symbol? Which type of standard is this, ASME or ISO?

Edward C.

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Hi Ed,

The profile tolerance does not adhere to either the current ISO or ASME Y14.5 standards. Neither standard permits the word “BILATERAL” in the feature control frame. Also, both standards require that the geometric symbol be placed in the first compartment and the tolerance value in the second compartment, followed by the datum references in the third, fourth, and fifth compartments, if applicable.

Thanks for question,

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.