CHAPTER 4

DIMENSIONING

Objectives
Objectives of studying dimensioning are:
➢ To know the purposes of dimensioning
➢ To understand the differences between dimension line, extension line, leaders etc.
➢ To know the guidelines of dimension system.
➢ To learn to draw the dimension of technical drawings as per the standard

5.1 Purpose of Dimensioning

The purpose of dimensioning is to provide a clear and complete description of an object. A complete
set of dimensions will permit only one interpretation needed to construct the part. In some cases,
engineering drawing becomes meaningless without dimensioning. Maintaining scale only does not make
a drawing sufficient for manufacturer. By direct measurement from drawing according to the scale is
very laborious, time-consuming and such a part cannot be manufactured accurately. In general
dimensioning system provides following information ✓ Sizes and locations of features
✓ Material’s type
✓ Number required
✓ Kind of surface finish
✓ Manufacturing process
✓ Size and geometric tolerance

5.2 General Conditions for Dimensioning

✓ Accuracy: correct values must be given.
✓ Clearness: dimensions must be placed in appropriate positions.
✓ Completeness: nothing must be left out, and nothing duplicated.
✓ Readability: the appropriate line quality must be used for legibility.

5.3 Elements of Dimension System

✓ Extension lines
✓ Dimension lines
✓ Arrowheads
✓ Leaders
✓ Texts, numbers and symbols.

Fig. 5.1 Dimensioning Elements

5.4 Rules for Dimensioning

5.4.1 General Rules for Dimensioning

✓ Dimensioning should be given within the extent of the view in general.
✓ Dimensioning should not be duplicated in other view.
✓ No subtraction or addition should be required to define or locate a feature.
 ✓ Dimensioning should be inserted on relatively larger available view to make it clear.
✓ One system of dimensions either unidirectional or aligned has to be used throughout the drawing.
✓ Dimensioning to the hidden lines should be avoided, in general.
✓ Dimensioning should be made on the view, which represents the shape of the part best. ✓ A zero
must be placed before decimal point.
5.4.2 Rules of Extension Lines
Extension lines are the lines that indicate the point or line or space on the drawing to which dimension is being
applied. Following conditions should be maintained while inserting an extension line:
✓ A gap of 1mm has to be kept between extension line and visible line.
✓ An extension line should be extended about 3mm from the outmost dimension line.
✓ Extension lines may cross each other without break.
✓ Center lines can be used as extension lines.
✓ Extension lines are drawn usually perpendicular to dimension lines. But for overcrowded drawing
they can be drawn at an oblique angle as well.

Correct Wrong
Fig. 5.2 Extension Lines in Proper Way

5.4.3 Rules of Dimension Lines

Dimension lines are the lines that show the dimensions of a specific portion indicated by extension lines.
Following conditions should be maintained while inserting a dimension line:
✓ Dimension line should be approximately 10mm away from visible line.
✓ Spacing between consecutive parallel dimension lines may also be kept as 10mm.
✓ Dimension lines are broken near the middle to allow space for dimensions.
✓ As far as possible dimension lines should be placed outside the view.
✓ Dimension lines should not cross each other.
✓ Center lines should never be used as dimension lines.
✓ If space between extension lines is very short for inserting arrows, the arrows may be provided
outside the extension lines.
 Fig. 5.3 Dimension and Extension lines Fig. 5.4 Arrowhead

5.4.4 Rules of Arrowhead

Arrowheads are used at both ends of dimension lines and at the ends of leaders. They are usually drawn
freehand. Following conditions should be maintained while inserting an arrowhead:
✓ As far as possible all arrowheads should be identical in shape and size throughout the drawing.
✓ An approximate ratio of the length to width of arrowhead as 3:1 should be maintained.
✓ Arrowheads must touch the line. It must not be either away from the line or cross the line.

5.4.5 Rules of Leaders

Leaders are used in engineering drawing for dimensioning of arcs, circles etc. They are also used to present
note, symbols, item number or part number etc. Following conditions should be maintained while inserting a
leader:
✓ A leader should always be inclined at an angle of 600 preferably and 450 occasionally.
✓ The length of horizontal bar should be 3mm.
✓ A leader should be terminated by either an arrowhead or a small dot of about 1.5mm diameter.
✓ Leaders should not be drawn bent unless necessary.
✓ Leaders should not cross each other, however, they may be drawn parallel to each other with a
common horizontal bar.
✓ To direct a circle or an arc the leader should be so drawn, if it is imagined to extend it must pass
through the center of the circle or the arc.
✓ All notes, symbols and
dimensions in a leader need
to be provided in horizontal
direction.

Fig. 5.5 Leaders

5.5 Direction of Dimensions
Direction of dimensions is chosen in either of the two systems:
A. Unidirectional system: All the dimensions are oriented to be read from the bottom of drawing. It
is also known as horizontal system. This system is preferred to aligned system.
B. Aligned system: All the dimensions are oriented to be read from the bottom or right side of the
drawing.

Fig. 5.6 Unidirectional System

Fig. 5.7 Aligned System

5.6 Technique of Dimensioning
There are two basic steps in dimensioning objects, regardless of the type of object.
✓ Step 1: Apply the size dimensions. These are dimensions which indicate the overall size of
the object and the various features which make up the object.
 ✓ Step 2: Apply the locational dimensions. Locational dimensions are dimensions which locate
various features of an object from some specified datum or surface. Figure 9-29 gives
examples of size and location dimensions.

Fig. 5.8 Size and Location Dimension

5.7 Dimensioning in Limited Space

If space between the extension lines is too small to insert the dimension digits, they may be provided
al left or right side of extension lines. Sometimes the space may be even too small to insert arrows, in
such case dimensions as well as arrows can be provided on outside of the extension lines as shown in
Fig. 5.9.

Fig. 5.9 Dimensioning in Limited Space

If the space is very limited for inserting dimension lines, the portion to be dimensioned are enlarged
for clear dimensioning. Sometimes smaller circular dots are used in place of arrowhead for space
limitation. Fig. 5.10 shows such example.
 Portion to be enlarged Enlarged view of A Use of small dot
Fig. 5.10 Dimensioning in Limited Space

5.8 Dimensioning of Angles

Angles are normally written in degrees, minutes, and seconds. The symbols used to depict degrees,
minutes, and seconds are also shown in this figure. Angular measurements may also be stated in decimal
form. This is particularly advantageous when they must be entered into an electronic digital calculator.
The key to converting angular measurements to decimal form is in knowing that each degree contains
60 minutes, and each minute contains 60 seconds.
 Fig. 5.11 Dimensioning of Angles

5.9 Dimensioning of Arcs

The dimension figure and the arrowhead should be inside the arc, where there is sufficient space. If space
is limited then leaders can be used comfortably.
 Fig. 5.12 Dimensioning of Arc

5.10 Dimensioning of Chord Length, Arc Length and Angle

Chords, arcs, and angles are dimensioned in a similar manner. The difference is:
✓ When dimensioning a chord length, the dimension line should be perpendicular and the extension
lines parallel to the chord.
✓ When dimensioning an arc length, the dimension line runs concurrent with the arc curve, but the
extension lines are either vertical or horizontal. An arc symbol is placed above the dimension.
✓ When dimensioning an angle, the extension lines extend from the sides forming the angle, and the
dimension line forms an arc.

Fig. 5.13 Difference among the Dimensioning Of Chord Length, Arc Length and Angle
5.11 Dimensioning of Round Holes

✓ Round holes are dimensioned in the view in which they appear as circles.
✓ Smaller holes may be dimensioned using a leader which points toward the center of the hole in
which the note gives the diameter, or extension lines may be drawn from the circle with a dimension
that also indicates the diameter.
✓ Larger circles are dimensioned with a dimension line drawn across the circle through its center at
an angle with the diameter dimension shown.
✓ It is important when dimensioning holes to call off the diameter, not the radius.

Fig. 5.14 Dimensioning of Circular Holes

5.12 Dimensioning of Blind Holes
It is usual practice to use leader line and local note to specify diameter and hole’s depth in the circular view.

Fig. 5.15 Dimensioning of Blind Holes

5.13 Dimensioning of Chamfer
It is usual practice to use leader line and note to indicate linear distance and angle of the chamfer.
Fig. 5.16 Dimensioning of a Chamfer
5.14 Common Mistakes in Dimensioning

Correct
Wrong

Correct
Wrong

Wrong Correct

Fig. 5.17 Common Mistakes in Dimensioning (Contd.)

Wrong
Correct

Wrong Correct

Wrong Correct
F

Fig. 5.17 Common Mistakes in Dimensioning (Contd.)

 Wrong
Correct

Correct

Wrong

Fig. 5.17 Common Mistakes in Dimensioning (Contd.)

5.15 Worked-out Examples of Dimensioning

(A)

(C)
(B)

(E)
(D)
(F)

(H)

(I) (J)
(K) (L)

(N)

(M)

(O) (P)
Exercise and Assignments:

Complete Dimensioning of the figures below:

(1 ) (2)

(3 ) (4 )

(5) (6)
 (8)
(7)

(9)
(10 )
 (12)
(11 )
Review Questions

1. Why have you studied dimensioning?

2. Which information are provided in dimensioning system?
3. What are the conditions for a good dimension system?
4. Name the elements of dimensioning system.
5. What are the rules that must be followed while dimensioning?
6. What is the purpose of extension line and what are the rules to be followed for extension line?
7. What is the purpose of dimension line and what are the rules to be followed for dimension line?
8. What is the purpose of leaders and what are the rules to be followed for leaders?
9. What are the uses of arrowheads in dimensioning and what are the rules to be followed for arrowheads?
10. What is the proportion of width and length of an arrowhead?
11. Draw a square out scribing a circle and complete dimensioning.
12. What is the difference between aligned and unidirectional dimensioning? Give examples.
13. What will you do when the space between extension lines is too small to accommodate the dimension
line with text at its middle?
14. What will you do when the space between extension lines is too small to accommodate the dimension
line with arrows?
15. What will you do when the feature is too small to make the dimension visible?
16. What are the different ways to show dimension of an arc/circle?
17. What is the difference of dimensioning of chord, arc and angle? Give example.
18. Draw a circular hole of 2cm deep and give dimensions to it.