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Inspection Dimension (SolidWorks drawings) 6

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evolDiesel

evolDiesel

Mechanical
Feb 29, 2008
93
In SolidWorks and I believe other platforms they have this option to turn a dimension into an inspection dimension (see example below):

inspectiondim.png


The problem is we can't find anything on this in a standard. We specifically follow ASME Y14 and can't find any coverage on this format.

Can anybody shed some light on this standard, where it comes from, and any links documenting it. We are worried that it's local to a CAD program and not a real, observed standard.

Thanks,
Jack

Jack Lapham, CSWP
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W7x64 | sw-01: 55.92
SolidWorks x64sp4 in PDMWx
 
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The meaning of that oval is to designate that number as "critical" ... or it can go by other names ... which means that not only does the part have to meet that specification, but that our quality department must log variable data for how well we meet the tolerance. Essentially, it's a flag that marks that number as something that must be statistically monitored.

I'd really hesitate to call it an "inspection dimension" (does that mean that the other dimensions don't have to be checked?).


Having said all that, this symbol is not in the Y14.5 standard. Every company sort of does things differently when it comes to this designation for "critical" dimensions. Check out this earlier thread on the same topic:

I'm sure there are other threads like this; maybe do a search for the word "oval."

John-Paul Belanger
Certified Sr. GD&T Professional
Geometric Learning Systems
 
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The rounded outline box (it's not really oval) is a common practice to define dimensions that should be inspected on a regular basis. Other dimensions are still inspected as needed, such as for first articles. It is not a standard, so using it will require a note in your general notes or title block that explains what it means. I use this sentence:

"5. INSPECTION DIMENSIONS ARE DENOTED BY THE ROUNDED OUTLINE, SIMILAR TO: "

I include an example of the symbol within the note. You can download the symbol for your SolidWorks here: Inspection symbols



Matt Lorono
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/solidworks & http://twitter.com/fcsuper
 
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evolDiesiel,

I have worked at a number of large corporations that use various symbols to mean something specific to that company. What may be a specific identifier for company "A" may be something different for company "B".

My current employer uses the “race track” symbol for revisions. Belanger sees this as a “critical” dimension symbol; we use a diamond shape for “critical” dimensions here.

The important aspect of this is to define what your company intends the symbol to mean and put it in your standards; or sometimes a “legend” as part of the drawing format will do the job. I also agree with Belanger that calling this an "inspection dimension" probably isn’t the best definition for the reasons he mentioned.

The following paragraph is found in the fundamental rules, pg 4 of the 1994 standard. I am not sure what use of the symbol your company intends to convey, however here is the rule which allows drawings to have processing information and other nonmandatory information. This information should be marked accordingly.

f) It is permissible to identify as nonmandatory
certain processing dimensions that provide for finish
allowance, shrink allowance, and other requirements,
provided the final dimensions are given on the drawing.
Nonmandatory processing dimensions shall be
identified by an appropriate note, such as NONMANDATORY
(MFG DATA).


 
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Pro/E has that symbol built-in to the dimension properties dialog since WF3 at least.

"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli
 
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What I had in mind was a symbol for adding to a note explaining the meaning, this would not be a dimension. The symbol should look like a dimension with the racetrack, but with X.XXX instead of a particular dimension.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
 
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I appreciate all the responses!

So, going once – going twice… the collective answer is that the race track can’t be found in a major, recognized drafting standard like Y14?

Jack Lapham, CSWP
Engr Sys Admin
Dell M6400 Covet (24 Season 8, Ep 22)
Intel Core 2 Duo T9800, 2.93GHz, 1066MHZ 6M L2 Cache
8.0GB, DDR3-1066 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
1Gb nVIDIA Quadro FX 3700M (8.17.12.5896)
W7x64 | sw-01: 55.92
SolidWorks x64sp4 in PDMWx
 
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I have never seen an ANSI, ASTM or ISO standard covering that "racetrack" symbol.

TS16949 & ISO 9000 define special characteristic symbols but they are different depending on the customer. Not much of a "standard" IMHO. We use the customer symbols or our own if the customer does not have any. None of them is the "racetrack".
 
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I saved this from Pro/Engineer - Wildfire 2, you should be able to open it in any version of Pro/E after that. It would not be able to be opened in SolidWorks, use fcsuper's file for that.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
 
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In NX (Unigraphics) this symbol is not specifically named but is one of a number of "ID" symbols. They include balloons, triangles, hexs, etc. If I recall correctly I used this symbol in piping at one time.

There is no standard for these type symbols that I have ever encountered, other than company specific.

Just because a particular software designates a symbol with a certain name, doesnt nessecarily mean much.

Software for modeling and drawing creation does cross disciplines. Mechanical drawings, piping, schematics, architecture, etc.

IMO I have experienced the improvements over the years for nomenclature, symbols, commands, etc; however in general I wouldnt bet the house because a particular symbol is called a certain name in any given software.

 
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Solid Edge can apply the 'race track' symbol around dimensions.

As noted, I'm not aware of it being in any formal standard. Heck, I can't recall the idea of critical dimensions or inspection dimensions etc. being indicated on drawings being in ASME Y14.5M-1994 or similar (I think statistical is mentioned though) and have issues with the concept of critical dimensions and what it implies to other dimensions.

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​
 
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It should be mentioned that any type of notation like this (critical, key, statistical, inspection, whatever) naturally requires that supplemental information be given, such as the sample size or frequency, standard deviation/Cpk, etc.

Kenat's right; the closest that Y14.5 comes to this is the ST modifier, but at the very end of 2009's paragraph 2.17.2, it clearly states that other info is needed.

John-Paul Belanger
Certified Sr. GD&T Professional
Geometric Learning Systems
 
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Linking this discussion to the ST symbol is very interesting. I was about to say that the oval inspection symbol is, in a way, off-topic. I can see it leading to endless design change orders and drawing revision changes, possibly causing headaches for auditors and non-value-added activities for some of the drawing users. But the ST symbol is the beginning of a deep discussion linking the design to additional marketing requirements getting into MTBF, robust design... I have never used the ST symbol, but I am guessing that it will not go away.

Peter Truitt
 
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Right, Peter, and the point is that the ST symbol doesn't in itself really mean anything! It's just a flag that says hey, something special is going on here. And that's why additional info is needed; that will really define what the engineer intends to do with the ST symbol.

John-Paul Belanger
Certified Sr. GD&T Professional
Geometric Learning Systems
 
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Hi EvolDiesel,

I developed InspectionXpert for SolidWorks ( many years ago to deal with inspection dimensions in SolidWorks. During that time, I was like a private investigator looking for some standard that spelled out the inspection dimension racetrack. I never found the smoking gun :)

My conclusion was that one of the CAD companies decided to implement this (probably for one big customer) and all the other companies followed suit.

Best regards,
Jeff Cope
 
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