Benefits of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing

This paper focuses on the major benefits of the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) approach to design and inspection activities. This is accomplished by the GD&T description of a simple part by comparing it with a more traditional one. Also, the paper outlines the great impact of the GD&T approach on design for assembly (DFA). Finally, we conclude with some remarks about future standardization and some observations about the current evolution of production systems and integrated software for design and tolerancing in a 'closed ring structure'. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.