topic Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance in Inventor Forum

Reference Dimension with Tolerance

ToddPig — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:10:03 GMT

I am converting a drawing from Solidworks to Inventor, and (as requested by the vendor) would like to show a tolerance on a reference dimension, as shown.

On a side note, I would also like to know if Inventor can show a zero tolerance similar to Solidworks?

For example: "0" vs ".0000"

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

jeffsteiger6735 — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:26:26 GMT

Yes. Do your dimension and select the tolerance method, but you will need to manually add the reference brackets as selecting reference will remove the tolerance.

And yes as well to your other question. You just set the precision values to whatever you require.

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

ToddPig — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:30:06 GMT

Doesn't look as clean as SW, but doable. Thanks!!

Any idea on how to change the "zero"?

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

jeffsteiger6735 — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:33:27 GMT

You mean the +.0000 to just 0? I don't think you can if the precision is set to 4 decimal places for your - value

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

aadish.jainQ4JP3 — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:55:52 GMT

Hello,

May I ask, what is the meaning of giving a Reference Dimension with Tolerance?

I came across this kind of dimension but I can not understand the logic behind this kind of dimension.

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

cadman777 — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:58:12 GMT

Neither can I...

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

ToddPig — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:03:41 GMT

In this case, I was providing a purchased part to a vendor that they were going to modify. I provided this reference dimension with a tolerance to let them know they could use this feature as a manufacturing datum if needed.

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

aadish.jainQ4JP3 — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:11:29 GMT

In my case, the tolerance is given on a linear dimension. Can you explain the meaning of this as well ?

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

ToddPig — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:18:38 GMT

I'm not sure, but it could be that somebody in quality asked for these tolerances to be added so they didn't have to look up the tolerance on an H7 fit. Or maybe they use these dimensions and tolerances as a reference during manufacturing so somebody could make a couple of measurements with calipers or a functional gage.

Re: Reference Dimension with Tolerance

cadman777 — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:38:25 GMT

According to standard drafting practice, all reference dimensions should be in parentheses and not be toleranced. They are not to be used to specify feature dimensions and tolerances, so decimal precision and/or tolerances on reference dimensions are meaningless. Also, according to ANSI/ASME Y14.5 GD&T, tolerancing is a complex method for specifying manufacturing precision. I never did work for a company or fab shop that understood them properly. So the way I see it, GD&T only works in mass production scenarios where fits are critical as machine tools wear. They're used for QC purposes on the production line, for example.

This practice must therefore be an 'in house' thing specific to the cutomer's preferences, just like @ToddPig said. That would be my guess.