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Diameter symbol proper with OD/ID? 1

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GDT2009Rules

GDT2009Rules

Mechanical
Aug 17, 2014
3
I was asked to settle an argument that stumped me. It's not GD&T but general dimension application.

Our products contain certain odd-sized custom fabricated tube components, and on drawings we often specify "OD" or "ID" after a diameter dimension. The question is whether it's proper to include the diameter symbol before the dimension when you do this. For example, is it either "Ø4.00" or "4.00 OD" but not "Ø4.00 OD"? Is the use of OD/ID after the dimension legal?

I did a quick look through Y14.5, DRM and the Genium book and didn't find anything that seemed to address this directly. Does anyone know of a standard or best practice, or have an opinion?
 
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Read it out loud.

Ø4.00" OD
"diameter of four point zero zero inches outside diameter"

Redundancy is bad.

4.00" OD

"Four point zero zero inches outside diameter"

No redundancy.

_________________________________________
NX8.0, Solidworks 2014, AutoCAD, Enovia V5
 
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1. What kind of "drawings" do you create, so ID can be mistaken with OD?
2. I've seen OD/ID used on rectangular tubes, so don't worry and use diameter symbol.

 
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The added Ø is redundant, and I typically don't do it, but I'm not against it.

For experienced drawing readers, the Ø sends an instant message that the dimension is a diameter, and can help the reader sort the information presented.
 
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Speaking of redundancy, OD also means "olive drab" and there is special abbreviation ODT for "outer diameter tube". Anyone ever used it?

 
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Seems to me that if the drawings were clear then ID/OD would be apparent and the diameter symbol alone would be sufficient. Note that if the tubes were purchased or manufactured on another drawing then those dimensions would have to be reference dimensions.


Tunalover
 
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How about "Ø4.00 (OD)" since the OD is really a clarification of where the diameter dimension is pointed to? As Tuna says you'd hope with appropriate scale it would be clear if it was ID or OD but for very thin walls I can see clarifying may have its advantages.

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​
 
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KENAT, a man can type only just so many parentheses in a day. Sheesh!
 
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I could have been clearer in the OP. I am indeed talking about instances where the scale makes it hard to tell which diameter is indicated on a part whose wall is thin compared to OD, usually when shown in an assembly drawing, and often in a section view. I like Kenat's suggestion. Somehow leaving the diameter symbol off doesn't seem right to me.

Even though OTD appears in ASME Y14.38, I'm pretty sure I know what my supplier's reaction would be...
 
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I prefer to leave off ID and OD. Dimension the diameter, it should be clear if it's the ID or OD.
If it needs to be there, I prefer KENAT's suggestion "Ø4.00 (OD)".

Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks 14
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
 
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Sorry, I forget not everyone took typing at school, for me () are cheap.;-)

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​
 
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GDT2009Rules,

How about Ø4.00" OUTSIDE?

--
JHG
 
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