Intro to Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

We are going to review Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing  (GD&T) and what it is, why it’s important, and how we use it today. GD&T really began after World War II when the US fabricated parts to specifications, but did not successfully assemble. This created major issues especially since it was during a very critical time. Prior to GD&T, there was conventional tolerating methods that were used, but were not very accurate or reliable. After WWII, a committee investigated many of the defective parts as to why they were not accurately made to assemble if the parts were made to their specifications. They found the parts varied in dimension which caused the parts to be out of spec for assembly. As a result, the committee developed GD&T which allowed for a certain degree of variation of a dimension (tolerance) in order for parts to remain within its specification, properly assemble to mating parts, improve quality, and to essentially reduce cost. This great finding reached other industries other than the government sector, and companies and institutions began adopting the use of tolerances. Since then, new industry standards have been created and are regularly used in today’s manufacturing. Continue reading

The Importance of Prototyping

What is a prototype? A prototype is a sample or a model of a part or assembly. Many times companies have 3D models on paper of their part or assembly, which is also a perfect world. In order to test and make sure that the part or assembly can be manufactured and the function, form, and fit of the part are followed through, a prototype is made.

Many companies will also create a prototype in order to test the product to their customers. Instead of investing time and money straight into production, and the product not being what the customer wanted, companies will create a prototype to get their opinion. This is beneficial to any company who wants to grow steady. Whereas companies who want to put the pedal to the metal, will rush right into production, but many times there are too many mistakes in a design costing them time and money. Continue reading