Dimensioning

DEFINITION
Dimensioning is the process of specifying part’ s
information by using of figures, symbols and notes.

This information are such as:

1. Sizes and locations of features
2. Material’s type
3. Number required
 THE BASIC CONCEPT
Dimensioning is accomplished by adding size and
location information necessary to manufacture
the object.

This information have to be

Clear
Complete
Facilitate the
- manufacturing method
- measurement method
EXAMPLE L L

Designed
part

L
S

L
S
To manufacture this part S
we need to know…
1. Width, depth and S
thickness of the part.
2. Diameter and depth
of the hole.
“S” denotes size dimension.
3. Location of the holes. “L” denotes location dimension.
 DIMENSIONING SYSTEM

1. Metric system : ISO and JIS standards This

Examples 32, 32.5, 32.55, 0.5 (not .5) etc. course

2. Decimal-inch system
Examples 0.25 (not .25), 5.375 etc.

3. Fractional-inch system

Examples , etc.
DIMENSIONING COMPONENTS
Extension lines
Dimension lines Drawn with
(with arrowheads) 2H pencil
Leader lines
Dimension figures
Notes : Lettered with
- local note HB pencil.
- general note
 EXTENSION LINES
indicate the location on the object’s features that
are dimensioned.
 DIMENSION LINES
indicate the direction and extent of a dimension, and
inscribe dimension figures.

10 27
123

13
o

43
 LEADER LINES
indicate details of the feature with a local note.

10 27 Ф 10, 2 Holes
R16
123

13
o

43
 DIMENSION FIGURES : UNITS
The JIS and ISO standards adopt the unit of

Length dimension in millimeters without

specifying a unit symbol “mm”.

Angular dimension in degree with a symbol “o”

place behind the figures (and if necessary
minutes and seconds may be used together).
EXAMPLE : Dimension of length using aligned method.
30

3
30

30
30

30
3
0

30
EXAMPLE : Dimension of length using unidirectional method.

30

30 30

30 30

30 30

30
EXAMPLE : Dimension of angle using aligned method.

45o

4
45

5
o
45o

45o
o
4

45
5
o

45o
EXAMPLE : Dimension of angle using unidirectional method.

45o
45o 45o

45o 45o

45o 45o

45o
Recommended
Practices
 EXTENSION LINES
Leave a visible gap (1 mm) from a view and start
drawing an extension line.
Extend the lines beyond the (last) dimension line
(2 mm).

COMMON MISTAKE
Visible gap
 EXTENSION LINES
Do not break the lines as they cross object lines.

COMMON MISTAKE
Continuous
 DIMENSION FIGURES
The height of figures is (3 mm).
Place the numbers at about 1 mm above dimension
line and between extension lines.

34 COMMON MISTAKE
11

11
34
 DIMENSION FIGURES
When there is not enough space for figure or
arrows, put it outside either of the extension lines.

Not enough space Not enough space

for figures for arrows
16.25
16.25 1 1 1

or
 LOCAL NOTES
Place the notes near to the feature which they
apply, and should be placed outside the view.

Always read horizontally.

COMMON MISTAKE
Ф 10 10 Drill

10 Drill
=8 mm
Too far
Dimensioning
Practices
 ANGLE
To dimension an angle use circular dimension
line having the center at the vertex of the angle.

COMMON MISTAKE
 ARC
Arcs are dimensioned by giving the radius, in the
views in which their true shapes appear.
The letter “R” is always lettered before the figures
to emphasize that this dimension is radius of an
arc.

0 0 0
20 R 2
R
or
 ARC
The dimension figure and the arrowhead should
be inside the arc, where there is sufficient space.

Sufficient space Sufficient space Insufficient space

for both. for arrowhead only. for both.
Move figure outside Move both figure
and arrow outside
R 62.5
0
20

R 6.5
R

R 58.5
 ARC
Leader line must be radial and inclined with
an angle between 30 ~ 60 degs. to the horizontal.

COMMON MISTAKE
60
o R62.5 R62.5 R62.5

R62.5
R62.5 R62.5
30
o
 CURVE
The curve constructed from two or more arcs,
requires the dimensions of radii and center’s
location.

COMMON MISTAKE
Tangent point
 CYLINDER
Size dimensions are diameter and length.

Location dimension must be located from its

center lines and should be given in circular view.

Measurement
method
 CYLINDER
Diameter should be given in a longitudinal view
with the symbol “φ ” placed before the figures.

φ 100

φ 70
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
1. Extension lines, leader lines should not cross
dimension lines.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
2. Extension lines should be drawn from the nearest
points to be dimensioned.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
3. Extension lines of internal feature can cross visible
lines without leaving a gap at the intersection point.

WRONG CORRECT
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
4. Do not use object line, center line, and dimension
line as an extension lines.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
5. Avoid dimensioning hidden lines.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
6. Place dimensions outside the view, unless
placing them inside improve the clarity.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
7. Apply the dimension to the view that clearly show
the shape or features of an object.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
8. Dimension lines should be lined up and grouped
together as much as possible.

POOR GOOD
 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
9. Do not repeat a dimension.

POOR GOOD
END