ME-102 Engineering Graphics
Lecture # 7 (Dimensioning)
By: Muhammad Jawad Qarni
Research Associate
If you can measure that of which you
speak and can express it by a number,
you know something about your
subject; but if you cannot measure it,
your knowledge is meager and
unsatisfactory.
Lord Kelvin
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology
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Dimensioning
Geometries is the science of specifying and tolerancing the
shapes and locations of features on objects.
Once the shape of a part is defined with an orthographic drawing,
the size info is added in the form of dimensions.
The process of adding size information to a drawing is known as
dimensioning.
Different standards for different types of drawings
Architectural drawings
Mechanical drawings
Highway drawings
Welding drawings etc
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Dimensioning
If a part is dimensioned properly, then the intent of the designer
is clear to both the person making the part and the inspector
checking the part.
Dimensioning a drawing also identifies the tolerance required for
each dimension.
Everyone in this circle of information (design, manufacturing,
quality control) must be able to speak and understand a common
language.
A well-dimensioned pan is a component of this communications
process.
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Dimensions
An engineering drawing will have graphics, dimensions and
words or notes to fully define the part.
Dimensions are dependent on symbols, which are specialized
tools used for communication.
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Units
The unit of measurement selected should be in accordance with
the policy of the user.
Construction and architectural drawings use feet and inches
for dimensioning units.
Drawings in American industry for manufacturing, all
dimensions are in inches.
Most countries outside of the United States use the metric
system of measure or the international system of units (SI).
The common metric unit of measure on engineering drawings is
the millimeter, abbreviated as mm.
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Dimensions
A well dimensioned part or structure will communicate the size
and location requirements for each feature.
Communications is the fundamental purpose of dimensions.
Designs are dimensioned based on two criteria:
◦ Basic sizes and locations of features.
◦ Details for construction and for manufacturing.
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Size and Location Dimensions
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Dimensions
Size dimensions
1. Horizontal
2. Vertical
3. Diameter
4. Radius
Location and Orientation Dimensions
1. Horizontal position
2. Vertical position
3. Angle
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Geometric breakdown Technique
Used on objects made of geometric
primitives, such as prisms, cylinders, and
spheres or their derivatives.
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Terminologies
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Terminologies
1. Dimension: The numerical value that defines the size, shape,
location, geometric characteristic of a feature.
2. Basic dimensions: A numerical value defining the
theoretically exact size, location, profile or orientation of a
feature. Identified by enclosing the dimension in a box.
3. Reference dimension: A numerical value enclosed in
parenthesis, providing for info only and not directly used in the
fabrication of the part.
4. Dimension line: A thin, solid line that shows the extent and
direction of a dimensions.
5. Arrows: Symbols placed at the ends of dimension lines to show
the limits of the dimension, leaders and cutting plane lines.
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Terminologies (Contd…)
7. Visible gap: There should be a visible gap of 1mm (1/16”)
between the feature’s corners and the end of the extension
line.
8. Leader line: A thin, solid line used to indicate the feature
with which a dimensions, note, or symbol is associated.
9. Limits of size: The largest acceptable size and the minimum
acceptable size of a feature.
1. Maximum material condition (MMC )
2. Least material condition (LMC)
10. Plus and minus signs
11. Diameter symbol
12. Radius Symbol
13. Tolerance
14. Datum
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Base line Dimensions
• Rectangular coordinate
dimensioning, suitable for
locating hole features.
• A baseline is established for
each Cartesian coordinate
direction.
• Also known as datum or
baseline dimensioning.
• Origin usually at the left corner,
as X=0 and Y=0.
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Placement
• Dimension placement depends
on the space available b/w
extension line.
• Do not use object lines as
extension lines for a dimension.
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Staggered Dimension
Where there are several parallel
dimensions, the values should be
staggered.
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Unidirectional and Aligned
Text is placed parallel to the
dimension line
Current standard
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Extension lines
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Diameter vs Radius
If a full circle or an arc of more than half a circle
is being dimensioned, the diameter is specified,
preceded by the diameter symbol which is the
Greek letter phi (Ø).
If the arc is less than half a circle, the radius is
specified, preceded by an R.
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Dimension guidelines
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Dimension guidelines
Avoid over dimensioning.
Dimension the most descriptive view
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Dimension guidelines
Dimension the most descriptive view
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Dimension Symbols
Blind hole (depth
symbol)
Chamfers
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Dimension Symbols
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Dimensioning Process (Self Study)
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Thanks & Good Luck for MID TERMS
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