

The measured axis of this hole must lie entirely within the cylinder created by this diametrical position tolerance as shown in the 3-dimensional model shown in Figure 3.įigure 3: Position Tolerance as a Cylindrical Tolerance Zone One more thing to note is that we are not just looking at this axis as a 2-dimensional location. To pass inspection, the measured axis of the hole must fall within that diametrical position tolerance zone.įigure 2: Illustration of Position as a Bullseye The position tolerance is illustrated by the blue ring surrounding the True Position. Notice that the True Position, the center of the bullseye, is located by the basic dimensions highlighted in red. When we think about this in terms of our dart board illustration, we would picture the drawing as seen in Figure 2. This feature control frame tells us that the hole has a diametrical position tolerance of 0.005”.įigure 1: Part Drawing with GD&T Position Tolerance on Hole Location The tolerance on this location is indicated through the feature control frame for the hole. The basic dimensions of 2.5” from the bottom of the part (Datum Feature B) and 2.5” from the left side (Datum Feature C) locate the perfect location for the axis of the hole – the True Position of the hole. The location of the hole in the center of the part is being controlled by Position. Let’s look at the drawing example in Figure 1. How far away from the exact center is acceptable? This is determined by the position tolerance. However, when we throw darts, it’s likely that most will not hit the exact center of the bullseye. This exact center represents True Position. When throwing darts at the bullseye, we are aiming for the exact center. The difference between True Position and position tolerance can be illustrated as throwing darts. Why make this distinction? Because “True Position” refers to the exact position of a feature as defined by basic dimensions, while the Position symbol is used to indicate the positional tolerance – the allowable amount of variation of that feature from its True Position.

So in short, yes, the true position does imply perpendicularity when applied properly. When a true position is called out with datums on the face and sides of a part, the perpendicularity is also controlled by the true position. Does true position control perpendicularity? 010 would be a circle around the point with a diameter of. For example, The true position with a tolerance of. Is a true position a radius of diameter?Ī true position is most often described as a circle around a point with a certain diameter. The datum is usually referenced with x and y coordinates as the basic dimensions. Does true position need a datum?Ī true position should use a datum when used properly.

A true position is a measure of the absolute value of the variance of the position of a feature and such can only be equal to 0 at the very least. Can a true position be negative?Ī true position cannot be negative. For example, a hole position along the x-y plane. True Position DefinitoinĪ true position is a type of geometric tolerance used to describe the true position of a feature with respect to 1 or more datums. To calculate true position variance, subtract the true coordinates from the measured coordinates, square the results of each, add them together, then take the square root of that result and multiply by 2. tX and tY are the true x and y coordinates.mX and mY are the measured x and y coordinates.Where TPV is the total variance from true position (this should be less than the total tolerance.).The TP frame calls out Datum ABC as I would normally expect to see, however only one axis has basic dimensions. Unfortunately I cannot post a screenshot as the document is ITAR controlled. The following true position formula is used to calculate the total variance from the true position. I have a customer drawing that only one axis is shown with Basic dimensions. Enter the measured x and y values and the true x and y values into the calculator to determine the total variance from the true position.
