Shape and position tolerances according to ISO 1101 and the Japanese standard JIS B 0001: Important information

DIN ISO 1101 and JIS B 0001 are standards that enable designers to guarantee the dimensional accuracy of components. These standards are part of the Geometrical Product Specification.

What are geometrical tolerances?

Geometrical tolerances are technical specifications that are in place ensure uniform handling of dimensions and tolerances in production. They are used primarily in the manufacture of parts and components in order to ensure the dimensional accuracy of the parts.

There are a number of properties that influence the dimensional accuracy of parts and components, such as:

  • Surface quality
  • Size
  • Thickness
  • Position and contour

DIN ISO 1101 Geometrical tolerances distinguishes between two different types of tolerances: the error tolerance and the position tolerance. Together, these two tolerances represent the most key factors for ensuring the dimensional accuracy of components.

  • The error tolerance indicates how large the deviations in the dimensions and shape of the components are permitted to be.

The position tolerance indicates how large the deviations in the component position are permitted to be.

How are geometrical tolerances applied?

When designing the geometrical tolerances, it is important to take into account the manufacturing processes, the materials and the environmental conditions. The dimensions must be selected so that they match  the production technology and the desired fit result can be achieved. For this, the user must be familiar with the requirements of the respective component and the production process.

Choosing the right material is also important to ensure a reliable fit. The choice of material depends on the technical requirements and the environment where the component is used.

What symbols are used in the technical drawing according to ISO 1101?

Symbols for shape

Symbols and their definitions
Designation Symbol Definition
Straightness Straightness
  • For areas: The tolerated line must be in each plane between two parallel straight lines with distance t.

    Note The straightness on surfaces is measured in the direction of the line in the specified view. Surfaces can be straight along the X axis even though they are curved along the Y axis.

  • For axles: The tolerated axis must be in a cylinder (⌀ = t).
Flatness Flatness The tolerated surface must lie between two parallel planes (distance t).
Roundness Roundness The tolerated circumferential line must be perpendicular to the centre axis between two concentric circles in all section planes. (Δr = t)
Cylindricity Cylindricity The tolerated lateral surface must lie between two coaxial cylinders. (Δr = t).
Profile of a line Profile of a line

The tolerated profile must lie in each plane between two equidistant envelope lines, the distance of which is defined by circles. (Δr = t).

Profiles of a surface Profiles of a surface

The tolerated surface must lie between two equidistant envelope surfaces, the distance of which is defined by spheres. (⌀ = t)

Note The centre of a circle or sphere lies on the ideal line or surface.

Symbols for direction

Symbols and their definitions
Designation Symbol Definition
Parallelism Parallelism
  • For surfaces: The toleranced area must lie between two planes (distance t) which are parallel to the reference.
  • For axes: The toleranced axis must lie in a cylinder (⌀ = t) whose axis is parallel to the reference.
Perpendicularity Perpendicularity
  • For surfaces: The toleranced area must lie between two planes (distance t) which are perpendicular to the reference.
  • For axes: The toleranced cylinder axis must be in a cylinder perpendicular to the reference surface. cylinder perpendicular to the reference surface (⌀ = t).
Angularity Angularity
  • For surfaces: The toleranced surface must lie between two planes (distance t) which are inclined at the specified angle to the reference.
  • For axes: The toleranced axis must lie between two parallel planes (distance t) which are inclined at the specified angle to the reference.

Symbols for location

Symbols and their definitions
Designation Symbol Definition
Position Position

The centre of the hole must be in a square (a = t) whose centre corresponds to the theoretically exact position of the hole.

Square aligned according to theoretically accurate dimensioning

with ⌀-sign: The centre of the hole must be in a circle (⌀ = t), the centre of which corresponds to the theoretically exact position of the hole.

⌀-sign in front of the tolerance value (see tolerance frame (picture))

The position of surfaces can also be defined.

Concentricity

Coaxiality

Concentricity

The centre of the tolerated circle must lie in a circle (⌀ = t) whose centre is concentric to the reference.

The axis of the toleranced area must lie in a cylinder (⌀ = t) whose central axis is coaxial to the reference.

Note The coaxiality is partly not measurable if the length of a cylindrical body is too short.

Symmetry Symmetry The toleranced centre plane must lie between two parallel planes (distance t) which are symmetrical to the reference.

Symbols for running

Symbols and their definitions
Designation Symbol Definition

Radial runout

Axial runout

Radial runout

For one revolution around the reference axis, the concentricity deviation must not exceed t.

For one revolution around the reference axis, the axial run-out must not exceed t.

Total radial runout

Total axial runout

Total radial runout

For multiple revolutions around the reference axis and simultaneous axial displacement, the radial runout deviation must not exceed t.

For multiple revolutions around the reference axis and simultaneous radial displacement, the axial runout deviation must not exceed t.

What influence do general tolerances and DIN ISO 2768-1 have?

The general tolerances in accordance with DIN ISO 2768-1 are an important factor for the perfect fit of components. They define the permissible deviations in the form, size, position and orientation of components in a production process.

These tolerances can be used to ensure the fit of the components without the need for additional measurements.

As a Japanese manufacturer, MISUMI manufactures its products according to JIS B0401, which is equivalent to DIN ISO 2768-1.

Here you can find out more about general tolerances.

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