PRACTICAL HINTS ON DIMENSIONING

 1) Dimension lines should be drawn at least 8 mm away from the outlines and from each other.

2) Dimensions in a series may be placed in any one of the following two ways:

a) Continuous or Chain dimensioning:

Dimensions are arranged in straight line. An overall dimension is placed outside the small dimension. Least important dimensions is generally omitted.

b) Progressive or parallel dimensioning:

All dimensions are calculated from a common base line. Cumulative error is avoided by this method. This method is preferable compared to other.

3) Smaller dimensions should be placed nearer the view and the larger further away that so that further away so that extension lines do not cross dimension lines. Extension lines may cross each other or the outlines.

4) When a number of parallel dimension lines are to be shown near each other, the dimensions should be stagged.

5) Dimension should be placed where the shape is easily identified.

UNIT OF DIMENSION AND GENERAL RULE FOR DIMENSIONING

UNIT OF DIMENSION:

          As far as possible all dimensions should be given in millimeters, omitting the abbreviation mm. Even when it is not convenient to give dimension in millimeters and another unit is used, only the dimension figures are written. But a foot note such as "All dimensions are present in centimeters/meters" is inserted in a prominent place near the title block. The decimal point in a dimension should be quite distinct and written in line with dimension line. A zero must always precedes the decimal point when the dimension is less than unity.

GENERAL RULE FOR DIMENSIONING:

1) Every dimension of a part/segment must be given, but none should be given more than once.

2) Every dimension should be given so completely that further calculation or assumption of any dimension, or direct measurement from the drawing is not necessary.

3) A dimension should be placed on the view where it use is shown more clearly.

4) Dimension should be placed outside the views, unless they are clearer and more easily read inside.

5) Dimensioning between hidden lines and mutual crossing of dimension lines should be avoided. 

6) Dimension lines should not cross any other line of the drawing.

7) An outline or centre line should never be used as a dimension line. A centre line may be extended to serve as an extension line.

8) In general we use two types of dimensional systems (i.e, Unidirectional and aligned), in those Aligned dimensioning system is recommended.

 

 

   

PLACING OF DIMENSIONS

          It is necessary to indicate the size, and other details of the object for the construction and function, using lines, numerals, symbols, notes etc, we indicate the details in a drawing by proper dimensioning. Dimensions are written either above the dimension lines or inserted at the middle by breaking the dimension lines.

Normally dimensions are placed according to either of the following two systems:

1) Aligned System and

2) Unidirectional system

1) Aligned system:

          In Aligned system, the dimension is placed perpendicular to the dimension line in such a way that it may be read from the bottom edge or the right-hand edge of the drawing sheet. The dimension should be placed near the middle and above, clear of the dimension lines.

2) Unidirectional system:

          In unidirectional system, all the dimensions are placed in one direction such that they can be read from the bottom of the drawing. In this system, the dimension lines are broken near the middle for inserting the dimensions. This system is mainly used on large drawings -- as of automobiles etc., where it is inconvenient to read dimensions from the right-hand side.

   

TYPES OF LINES

TYPES OF LINES:

1) Out Lines:

          These are the most common lines used in Drawings. Lines drawn to represent visible edges, corners and surface boundaries of objects are called as Outlines (or) Principle lines. They are continues thick and solid lines.

2) Margin Lines:

          These lines are continues thick and wide lines along which the points are trimmed.

3) Dimension Lines and extension Lines:

          Dimension lines are thin, solid lines. These lines show the direction, length, and limits of the dimensions of a part. Dimension lines are drawn with an arrowhead at both ends. They are terminated at the outer ends by pointed arrowheads touching the outlines, extension lines or centre lines. A single style of arrowhead should be used throughout the drawing.

          Extension lines are also continues thin lines. Extension lines are drawn close to, but never touching, the edges or surface they limit. These are extended by  about 3 mm beyond the dimension line, length of extension lines is generally suited to the number of dimensions they limit. They should be perpendicular, or at right angles, to the dimension line. 

4) Construction lines:

          These lines are used for constructing figures. These are shown in geometrical drawings only. These are continues thin light lines.

5) Hatching or section lines:

          Section lines, also known as hatch patterns, indicate the surfaces in a sectional view as they would appear if the part were actually cut along the cutting plane line. These are continues thin lines that are normally drawn at 45-degree angle to the main outline of the section. They are uniformly spaced about 1 mm to 2 mm apart. 

6) Leader (or) Pointer Lines:

          Leader lines is drawn to connect dimensional notes, material specifications, and process notes with the feature to which it applies. It is a continues thin, solid line with an arrowhead at one end. These are bent (or) angled at the start, but should always end horizontal at the notation. When leader lines reference a surface, a dot is used instead of an arrowhead.

7) Border Lines:

          Perfectly rectangular workspace is determined by drawing the border lines. These are continues thin lines.

8) Break Lines:

          Break lines are drawn to show that a part has been shortened to reduce its size on the drawing. In general two variations of break lines in engineering drawing, they are the long break line and the short break lines. 

          Long break lines are thin ruled lines with short zigzags within them to indicate a break.

          Short break lines are continues thick, wavy solid lines that are drawn freehand. They are drawn to show a short break, or irregular boundaries.

          When either of these break lines is used to shorten an object, you can assume that the section removed from the part is identical to the portions shown on either side of the break.

9) Hidden (or) Dotted Lines:

          Hidden lines are used to show edges and surfaces that are not visible in a view. These are also called as Dotted lines. These lines are drawn as thin, evenly spaced dashes ( 2 mm spaced and equal distances of 1 mm apart). A surface or edge that is shown in one view with an object line will be shown in another view with a hidden line. When a hidden line meets or intersects another hidden line or an outline, their point of intersection or meeting should be clearly shown.

10) Centre Lines:

          These lines are drawn to indicate the axes of cylindrical, conical or spherical objects or details, and also used to show the centre lines of circles and arcs. They are thin, long, chain lines  composed of alternatively long and dot spaced approximately 1 mm apart. Centre lines should extend for a short distance beyond the outlines to which they refer. Centre lines can also show the symmetry of an object. The point of intersection of the two centre lines must always be indicated.

11) Cutting plane lines:

          The location of the cutting plane is shown by this line. This is long, thin, chain line, thick at ends only.

12) Chain Thick:

          These lines are used to indicate special treatment of the surface.