Introduction to Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

The foundational skills required to effectively understand and interpret the Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing specified on your engineering drawings

Course Objectives

Participants are introduced to select aspects of reading and interpreting GD&T found on technical drawings.  At completion of the course, the participants will be equipped to identify and understand key information included on engineering prints.

Course Overview

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is a specific method of communicating dimensions and tolerances for size, location, orientation, and form. GD&T is a common language to ensure the design intent of your product is achieved and quality conformance is established and measured in a consistent fashion, all the while providing for optimum manufacturability within those bounds.

The course will utilize a combination of instructor lead presentation material, student workbook exercises, and group discussions to cover the material.  If possible, students are encouraged to bring drawing samples to aid in applying concepts to their particular needs.

Course Outline

Unit 1. Introduction to Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing:

• General overview, geometric characteristic symbols, rules, terms and definitions
• Introduction to measurement principles, open set-up and CMM

Unit 2. Limits of Size:

• Rule #1
• Features with & without size
• Regular & irregular features of size
• Independency principle
• Limits & fits

Unit 3. How the Geometric System Works:

• Problems with plus/minus tolerancing
• Introduction to the datum reference frame
• Datum precedence
• Basic dimensions
• Introduction to Position Tolerancing
• MMC, LMC, RFS feature modifiers
• Introduction to Profile Tolerancing

Unit 4. Position Tolerancing and Verification:

• Verifying position
• More on MMC, LMC, RFS feature modifiers

Other Concepts to be covered:

• Orientation Tolerances – Parallelism, Perpendicularity, Angularity
• Other controls based on participant needs and as time allows

Who Should Attend

This foundational course is recommended for those with a need to interpret GD&T callouts on engineering prints: production staff (assemblers, fabricators, machinists etc), quality (inspectors, technicians, managers), and other manufacturing roles. (estimators, purchasing, etc)

Course Materials

Course includes a reference guide/exercise book.

A Certification of Attendance will be provided upon completion.

About the Trainer

Matt Minner, Managing Director, Technical Services

Matt has been in technical roles at Catalyst Connection since 2017. He works with manufacturers to support their technology adoption efforts, supports and manages grant programs, and delivers training such as the Robotics & Technology Implementation Workshop, Print Reading and GD&T Fundamentals. Prior to Catalyst Connection, Matt held various product support roles at Caterpillar for 15 years working in the heavy equipment and mining industry. Matt has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Virginia Tech.

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