Virtual gauge representation for geometric tolerances in

CAD-CAM systems.
Eric Pairel, Pascal Hernandez, Max Giordano

To cite this version:

Eric Pairel, Pascal Hernandez, Max Giordano. Virtual gauge representation for geometric tolerances
in CAD-CAM systems.. J.K. Davidson. Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and
Manufacturing, Springer, pp.3-12, 2007. <hal-00638011>

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 Virtual Gauge Representation for Geometric
Tolerances in CAD-CAM Systems
Eric PAIREL, Pascal HERNANDEZ, Max GIORDANO
LMECA (Laboratoire de Mécanique Appliquée)
École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs d’Annecy - Université de Savoie
BP 806, 74016 ANNECY Cedex - FRANCE
[email protected]

Abstract: The CAD software seeks to represent the syntax of the geometric tolerances,
i.e. their writing on the drawings. We propose to represent their semantics, i.e. their
meaning with respect to the part. We show that the meaning of the geometric tolerances
can be defined thanks to a model of virtual gauges. These gauges concern geometrical
entities of the part which are represented on the three-dimensional geometrical model of
the part (CAD model). The topology of a gauge is related to that of the part. Recording
these attributes is sufficient. The advantages of this representation are its simplicity, the
semantic coherence which can be guaranteed, the independence from the standards, their
limits and their evolutions, and the extension of the tolerancing possibilities for the
designer.
Key words: Tolerancing, Virtual gauge, CAD-CAM.

1. INTRODUCTION

The subject of this paper is to present the bases of a data-processing representation

of the geometric tolerances. The tolerances which are considered are those which are
allowed by the ISO and ASME standards. Nevertheless, we will show that the suggested
representation allows to specify functional tolerances which are difficult and even
impossible to express with the writing rules of the standards. Indeed it is necessary to
distinguish the syntax of a geometric tolerance, i.e. its writing on the technical drawing,
and its semantics, i.e. its meaning with regard to the part. Whereas the CAD software
packages try to represent the syntax of the geometric tolerances, we propose to represent
their semantics. The task is then much simpler because, while the syntactic rules of the
standardized tolerances are many and are badly formalized, we think that their semantics
can always be interpreted in the form of a virtual gauge.
Several authors have already shown this geometrical interpretation of tolerances
[Jayaraman et al., 1989], [Etesami, 1991], [Nigam et al., 1993]. Some of them have tried
to model it [Ballu et al., 1997], [Dantan et al., 1999]. This geometrical interpretation is
also found in the American standard [ASME, 1994].

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 However we think that none of these contributions has brought as complete and
simple a model as the fitting gauge model which we have developed since 1995 for the
three-dimensional metrology [Pairel et al., 1995]. Here we propose using this model to
represent the geometric tolerances in the CAD-CAM systems. We will show that it
enables to model a multitude of geometric tolerances very simply.
This semantic representation of the tolerances must be accompanied by a checking
of the degrees of freedom removed by references [Kandikjan et al.., 2001] and left at the
tolerance zones [Hernandez et al.., 2002] to guarantee the full semantic coherence of the
tolerances. This checking will not be detailed here.
From this tolerance representation, it becomes simpler and more direct to generate
the domains of the geometrical variations allowed to the faces of the part [Giordano et
al., 1999] [Roy et al., 1999] [Davidson et al., 2002], which is necessary to the analysis
and synthesis tolerance processes of a mechanism [Giordano et al., 2001].

2. INTERPRETATION BY VIRTUAL GAUGE OF THE STANDARDIZED

GEOMETRIC TOLERANCES

In order to present the "fitting gauge model" and its use for the geometric tolerance
representation, the technical drawing given on figure 1 will be used.

(4)

(3)

(1)

(2)
Figure 1; Examples of geometric tolerances.

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 This drawing reveals a broad panel of geometric tolerances: a tolerance of form
(No 1 on figure 1), of orientation (No 2), and of position of a single feature (No 4) or of a
group of features (No 3), as well as more or less complex datum systems (tolerances
No 3 and 4). The maximum material condition (MMC) is also considered. The other
categories of tolerance - run-out, minimum material condition, projected tolerance - will
not be presented here but can also be represented. Only, the complementary indications,
often added in the form of notes near the geometric tolerances, cannot be directly
represented by the model presented here. The case of the dimensional tolerances is not
mentioned here either.

2.1 Form Tolerance (tolerance No. 1) : the zone-gauge

The zone of a form tolerance constitutes a virtual gauge for the toleranced face or
line. This gauge is completely free in displacement compared to the part :

Figure 2; Interpretation of a form tolerance (flatness).

2.2 Orientation tolerance (tolerance No. 2): Surface-gauge - Degree of

freedom of a gauge
Now the tolerance zone is "dependent" in orientation on a theoretical datum surface
(here a plane). This datum surface is like a perfect plane which must be fitted with the
"bottom" face of the part.
The orientation tolerance can be interpreted as a virtual gauge, composed of one
plane (surface-gauge) and a tolerance zone (zone-gauge). The zone-gauge is linked to the
plane-gauge but can move in translation in the three directions of the space. The Surface-
gauge plane is fitted with the "bottom" face of the part. Then the zone-gauge can move in
translation to try to contain the "top" face :

Figure 3; Interpretation of an orientation tolerance (parallelism).

2.3 Position tolerance for a pattern of features (tolerance No. 3) and

maximum material requirement: surface-gauge whose size is fixed
The maximum material requirement defines a theoretical surfaces (border surfaces)

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 that the toleranced faces of the part do not have to cross. These theoretical surfaces are
cylindrical surface-gauges of diameter equal to 7.9 mm. They are in theoretical positions
between each another and with regard to the surface-gauge plane used as datum :

Figure 4; Interpretation of the maximum material requirement applied to a

pattern of holes.

When the plane is fitted to the bottom face of the part, the virtual gauge, composed
of the plane and the two cylinders, has three degrees of freedom corresponding to the
established planar joint, which enables it to assemble the two cylinder-gauges inside the
holes.

2.4 Datum system and pattern of features taken as a datum (tolerance

No. 4)
The virtual gauge is composed of four gauges: a plane surface-gauge, two
cylindrical surface-gauges and one cylindrical zone-gauge. These gauges are linked
together. The plane is fitted first on the bottom face of the part. Then the two cylindrical
surface-gauges are fitted simultaneously inside the two small holes by increasing their
diameters to a maximum. Then the virtual gauge does not have any degree of freedom
with regard to the part. The zone-gauge must contain the axis of the large hole:

Figure 5; Interpretation of a position tolerance with a datum system.

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 3. PRESENTATION OF THE "FITTING GAUGE" MODEL

The gauges are theoretical constructions of elementary gauges (cylinder, plane, ...),
each one being in relation to a geometric feature of the part. These elementary gauges are
either the zone-gauges, or surface-gauges.

Figure 6; Surface-gauge and Zone-gauge.

The zone-gauges "materialize" the tolerance zones whereas surface-gauges

"materialize", either the datums, or the virtual conditions.
The topology of a gauge is directly related to the one of the part: a surface-gauge has
the nominal shape of the face with which it is in relation. A zone-gauge has the shape
generated by the displacement of a sphere - of diameter equal to the tolerance - on the
geometric feature with which the zone-gauge is in relation. Thus it is not useful to model
the topology of the gauge in the data structure: topology is given by the CAD model. It is
sufficient to record the type of gauge and its attributes.

3.1 Attributes of a surface-gauge

A surface-gauge can have two types of behavior with regard to the geometric
feature of the part: either it seeks to be fitted to the geometric feature of the part, or it
only acts as border for it. It seeks to be fitted when it is used as datum and it only acts as
border when it represents the virtual condition of the feature.
Levels of priority must be given to allow to define a chronological order for the
fitting of the elementary gauges to the faces of the part. We will speak about primary-
fitting, secondary-fitting and tertiary-fitting. We thus define a first attribute for the
surface-gauge, which will be called "behavior", and which will be able to take four
values:
• Behavior = PrimFit, SecondFit, TertiaryFit, or Border
If a surface-gauge has one or more intrinsic dimensions ("sizes"), those are free if
the surface-gauge has a fitting behavior. They are fixed with a given value if it is a
border. For example, the cylinder must have a variable diameter to be fitted and to be
used as a datum on the part and a fixed diameter when it represents a virtual condition of
a feature. So we define one or more attributes "size" for the surface-gauges:
• Size= Positive value if the size is fixed or a negative value if the size is not fixed
and if the surface-gauge is fitting.

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 3.2 Attributes of a zone-gauge
The zone-gauge has only a role of border for the geometric feature of the part with
which it is in relation. Its shape is determined by that of the geometric feature and by the
value of the tolerance. It is thus sufficient to introduce an attribute giving the value of the
tolerance:
• TolValue = Positive value
When the zone-gauge represents a zone of an orientation tolerance, it can move in
translation in all the directions with regard to the datum. It is thus necessary to introduce
an attribute indicating if the zone can move or not with regard to the datum:
• FreeToTranslate = TRUE or FALSE

4. REPRESENTATION OF THE TOLERANCED FEATURES AND OF THE

DATUMS FEATURES ON THE CAD MODEL OF THE PART

The semantic representation proposed here requires the three-dimensional

construction of the toleranced and datum features on the part. These features can already
exist on the CAD model of the part or will have to be added by the designer. For
example, a axis hole "will be materialized" by a segment of straight line inside the hole
with a starting point at "the entry" of the hole and a final point at the "exit" of the hole.
This segment will have to be a "child" of the cylindrical face representing the hole, in the
meaning of mother/child relation used in CAD systems. It could be prolonged or axially
moved if it is the prolongation of the hole which is functional. Thus the standardized
concept of projected tolerance can easily be represented.
Sometimes the tolerance concerns only a piece of the face. In this case a surface
corresponding to this piece will be added on the model of the part.

5. ILLUSTRATION OF THE REPRESENTATION OF A PART

TOLERANCING SCHEME

To simplify the presentation, we consider that each geometrical feature of the CAD
model has a number. On the figure 7, only the numbers of the features affected by a
gauge were indicated. They are the planar faces (1) and (2), the cylindrical faces (3) and

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 (4) and finally the straight line segment (5) representing the axis of the large hole:

(1)
(3)
(4)
(5)

(2)

Figure 7; CAD modeling of the part: each feature has an identifier, represented
here by a number.

The representation of the four geometric tolerances assigned to this part consists in
describing the virtual gauges.
Each virtual gauge is a list of elementary gauges, each one in relation to a
geometrical feature of the CAD model of the part. So the first attribute of an elementary
gauge is a pointer towards the geometrical feature of the part: OnFeatureNo.
According to the type of elementary gauge (ZoneGauge or SurfaceGauge), the
values of its attributes (TolValue and FreeToTranslate or Behavior and Size) are found.
The tolerances of the part represented on figure 1, are defined as follows:

ToleranceNo1= { ZoneGauge(OnFeatureNo=1; TolValue=0.03; FreeToTranslate= FALSE) };

ToleranceNo2 = { SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=1; Behaviour=PrimFit);

ZoneGauge(OnFeatureNo=2; TolValue=0.03; FreeToTranslate= TRUE) };

ToleranceNo3 = { SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=1; Behaviour=PrimFit);

SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=3; Behaviour=Border; Size=7.9) ;

SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=4; Behaviour=Border; Size=7.9) };

ToleranceNo4 = { SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=1; Behaviour=PrimFit);

SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=3; Behaviour=SecondFit; Size= "Free") ;

SurfaceGauge(OnFeatureNo=4; Behaviour=SecondFit; Size= "Free") };

ZoneGauge(OnFeatureNo=5; TolValue=0.2; FreeToTranslate= FALSE) }

Figure 8; Illustration of the representation of the geometric tolerances by

description of the virtual gauges.

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 6. PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF THE REPRESENTATION OF
TOLERANCES BY VIRTUAL GAUGES

At present, in the majority of the CAD software packages, the tolerance frames are
directly created by the user. The compliance with the standardized rules of syntax is in
party ensured by the software which limits the possibilities of writing. The semantic
coherence of the tolerances, with respect to the parts, is not verified and depends entirely
on the expertise of the user.
To our knowledge, at the moment, two software packages are able to generate the
tolerance frames, in a quasi-automatic way, starting from the selection, by the user, of the
toleranced features and the datum features on the 3D model of the part. Nevertheless the
development and the updating of those software packages are delicate because the
writing rules of the standardized tolerances are badly formalized and change regularly.
The "virtual tolerancing gauges" could be generated in the same manner: by
selecting the toleranced features and the datum features on the 3D model of the part, the
user will define the inspecting gauge corresponding to each functional geometrical
requirement of the product. These gauges will be displayed in 3D on the model of part
(as shown in figures 2 to 4), which will enable the user to directly visualize the meaning
of the geometric tolerances, or could be expressed in the form of tolerance frames on the
technical drawings according to the standardized graphic languages (ISO or ANSI). Thus
the semantic representation of the tolerances gives more possibilities of tolerancing to
the user and releases him from the constraints of standardized writing rules. The
tolerancing will be more functional and faster to realize.
The representation by gauges allows to define geometric tolerances impossible to
express by the today standardized syntax. For example it is impossible to specify a "self-
parallelism" tolerance for the two plane faces (1) and (2) of the part (figure7) with the
standardized graphic language. However the gauge corresponding to this requirement
could be defined. It will consist of two plane zones each being able to translate in
reference to the other. In this case the algorithm for the writing of the gauges in the form
of tolerance frames should propose various solutions to the user: either a standardized
tolerance which "degrades" the desired tolerance - it is the parallelism tolerance
indicated on the drawing of figure 1 - or a less "standardized tolerance" which expresses
the gauge as well as possible such as the one proposed on the figure below.

2x
0.03

Figure 9; Instance of non standardized tolerance defining two parallel plane

zones.

Nevertheless we think that the gauge representation could allow to do without the
writing of the tolerance frames on drawings in a CAD-CAM environment. Indeed it
would be even simpler for the manufacturing designer to see the tolerancing gauges

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 directly in 3D rather than to have "to decode" tolerance frames on drawings. Many
mistakes in the interpretation of tolerances would be thus avoided, during their writing
and their reading.
In production, we think that the tolerancing by zones is unsuited because it does
give the separation of the form, orientation and position defects which is necessary to
allow to correctly adjust the production process.
Lastly, the prototype software of three-dimensional metrology that we have already
developed, shows that it is possible to directly use the fitting gauge model for the
verification of the manufactured parts [Pairel, 1997].

7. CONCLUSION

The "fitting gauge model" enables to represent, in an extremely simple way, the near
total of the standardized geometric tolerances as well as tolerances by zone which are
impossible to express in the standardized graphic language.
This representation guarantees the semantic coherence of the tolerances and can be
directly used for the dimensional verification of conformity of the products and also by
the manufacturing designer.
We think that this model could represent any geometric tolerance by zone. It could
be achieved by improving the model and the data-structure. The case of the geometric
tolerances of lines (circularity, straightness, profile tolerance of any line) can easily be
modelled by creating a line on the surface of the CAD model of the part. The gauge-zone
will be related to this line and not to the surface. The most difficult case is the particular
case of the zone having a shape different from the one of the toleranced feature. For
example it is the case of a cylinder axis having to be contained within a planar zone. In
this case, a solution could consist in creating a plane passing through the axis and
directed with regard to another geometric feature of the part defining the secondary
datum reference. The zone-gauge would be related to this plane.
The other study to be carried out relates to the representation of the dimensional
tolerances with or without envelope condition. For the moment we think that the
dimensional tolerances can be "carried" by the CAD model of the part, which is already
possible with several software packages. We are currently considering testing a such
semantic representation in a CAD software package.

in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12
 8. REFERENCES

[Jayaraman et al., 1989] R. Jayaraman, V. Srinivasan, "Geometric tolerancing:

1. Virtual boundary requirements", IBM Journal of Research and Development, Vol.
33, No. 2, March 1989.
[Etesami, 1991] Etesami F.; "Position Tolerance Verification Using Simulated Gaging",
The International Journal of Robotics Research, Vol. 10, No. 4, 1991.
[Nigam et al., 1993] S.D. Nigam, J.D Guilford, J.U. Turner, "Derivation of generalized
datum frames for geometric tolerance analysis", ASME Design Automation
Conference, Albuquerque, Sept. 1993.
[Ballu et al., 1997] A. Ballu and L. Mathieu, "Virtual gauge with internal mobilities for
verification of functional specifications"; Proceeding of the 5rd CIRP Seminar on
Computer Aided Tolerancing, Toronto, Canada, April 27-29; 1997.
[Dantan et al., 1999] J.Y. Dantan, A. Ballu, "Functional and product specification by
Gauge with Internal Mobilities", CIRP Seminar on Computer Aided Tolerancing,
University of Twente, Netherlands, March 1999.
[ASME, 1994] ASME Y14.5M-1994, "Dimensioning and Tolerancing".
[Pairel et al., 1995] E. Pairel, D. Duret, M. Giordano, "Verification of a group of
functional surfaces on Coordinate Measuring Machine", Proceedings of the XIII
IMEKO World congress, torino, Italy, Sept. 1995, pp 1670-1675.
[Kandikjan et al., 2001] T. Kandikjan, J.J. Shah, J.K. Davidson, "A mechanism for
validating dimensioning and tolerancing schemes in CAD systems", Computer
Aided Design, Volume 33, 2001, pp. 721-737.
[Hernandez et al., 2002] Hernandez P.; Giordano M., "Outil analytique d'aide au
tolérancement géométrique en vue d'intégration en C.A.O.", IDMME 2002,
Clermont-Ferrand, France, May 14-16, 2002.
[Giordano et al., 1999] Giordano M., Pairel E., Samper S., “Mathematical
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[Roy et al., 1999] U. Roy and B. Li, "Representation and interpretation of geometric
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Computer-Aided Design, Volume 31, No 4, pp. 273-285, 1999.
[Davidson et al., 2002] J. K. Davidson, A. Mujezinovic; "A new mathematical model
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[Pairel, 1997] E. Pairel; "The "Gauge model": a new approach for coordinate
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in Book "Models for Computer Aided Tolerancing in Design and Manufacturing", J.K. Davidson (Ed.), 2007 Springer, 3--12