January Update - Tech Webinars, Free GD&T Training, 3DEXPERIENCE World

Fundamentals of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), synonymously known as geometric product specification (GPS), offers a set of tools for design engineers to communicate geometric specifications to manufacturers and inspectors via engineering drawings. While GD&T is well-known in industry, it is not commonly taught in engineering classrooms and often suffers from misconceptions even among practicing engineers. In the age of digital manufacturing, GD&T remains as the standard language of the manufacturing industry to communicate the intricacies of novel component geometries.

Digital design and manufacturing tools create a façade of limitless precision with an infinite number of decimal places behind every dimension. However, in reality, all manufacturing processes are imperfect, resulting in dimensional errors in the manufactured component. It is up to the designer to indicate the level and form of acceptable error via GD&T, thereby allowing the manufacturer to implement processes that ensure the required quality of the component.

This seminar series, presented in two parts, will cover the fundamentals of GD&T in order to expose the audience to its most important elements. Part 1 will establish key concepts of imprecision in manufacturing. Additionally, the standard 'language' of GD&T, as defined by ASME Y14.5-2018, will be taught. Part 2 of this seminar series will apply these concepts to several case studies which help illustrate best practices and uses for GD&T with a focus on digital manufacturing.