Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) is an essential tool for communicating design intent – how the parts from technical drawings have the desired form, fit, function, and interchangeability.
As a common language, GD&T can help facilitate communication amongst key team members responsible for the production of a part.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing standard is considered international best practice for the design language of GD&T. It establishes symbols, rules, definitions, requirements, defaults, and recommended practices for stating and interpreting GD&T and related requirements for use on engineering drawings, models defined in digital data files, and in related documents.
This four-day course, facilitated by an international expert from the USA, teaches you the skills needed to interpret engineering designs based on the latest standard, ASME Y14.5-2018. You’ll learn:
- better design tools for specifying tolerancing symbols
- concepts for more manufacturing tolerance
- better inspection techniques for measuring and reporting dimensional measurement data
- improved communication with others from design manufacturing and quality
By the end of this course you’ll have the skills and applied knowledge needed to avoid costly manufacturing mistakes, provide better quality control, and shorten delivery time.
This course is run exclusively by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers with Engineering Education Australia.
EA members get 15% off on selected workshops and training. Not a member? Sign up now
*1% credit card surcharge applies.
Any questions?
Contact us
7 July - 10 July
8 December - 11 December
This online course will run on the following dates:
7 – 10 July 2025, 9am – 3pm AEST
8 – 11 December 2025, 9am – 3pm AEDT
RSVP
Registrations close three business days before the start of each session.
We can customise this course for groups of six or more.
You choose the time, place, duration and format.
Find out how we can help you and your team by clicking on the button below to request a quote or calling us directly on +61 3 9321 1700.
- Create engineering drawings and interpret design intent per ASME Y14.5-2018
- See the common pitfalls with older style plus/minus tolerances
- Know the correct geometric tolerancing symbology for communicating design intent
- Understand the concept of a datum reference frame for a tolerancing scheme
- Position tolerances with RFS, MMC modifiers
- Profile tolerances for specifying boundaries
Is this course for you?
This course is relevant for anyone who needs to read and/or interpret engineering drawings and their intent including:
- designers
- engineers
- managers
- decision makers
- manufacturers
- drafters
- CAD inspectors, and
- Production, procurement and quality control personnel
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Topics we'll cover
Introduction to Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing:
- General overview
- Geometric characteristic symbols
- Rules, terms and definitions
- Introduction to measurement principles
- Open set-up and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
Limits of Size:
- Rule #1
- MMC and LMC
- Why plus/minus tolerancing is confusing
- The need for geometric tolerancing
How the Geometric System Works:
- Introduction to the datum reference frame
- Basic dimensions
- Introduction to Position Tolerancing
- Square vs Round tolerance zones
- MMC, LMC, RFS modifiers
- Introduction to Profile Tolerancing
The Datum Reference Frame:
- Datums, datum features, true geometric counterparts
- Holes, slots, shafts, tabs, widths as datum features
- Constraining the 6 degrees of freedom
Product Plans and Position Tolerancing Verification:
- Difference between the product drawing, manufacturing process plan, and dimensional measurement plan
- The engineering specification versus the inspection method
- Verifying position with MMC and RFS modifiers
- Intro to paper gage
Orientation Tolerances:
- Perpendicularity, Parallelism, Angularity
- Orientation as a refinement of location
- Inspection reporting
Patrick J. McCuistion, PhD, GDTPS has provided instruction in geometric dimensioning, dimensional analysis, gage and fixture design, and dimensional metrology to industry, military, and educational institutions since 1986.
Dr. McCuistion was an Associate Professor in the Engineering Technology and Management Department at Ohio University for 25 years. He taught Engineering Graphics, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, Dimensional Analysis, and Quality Management Systems. Prior to that, he taught three years at Texas A&M University and one year at Pittsburg State University.
He has worked eight years in various engineering design, drafting, and design and drafting checking positions and is certified as a ASME Geometric Dimensioning Tolerancing Professional – Senior grade and as a ADDA Mechanical Drafter.
Dr. McCuistion has authored one book on geometric dimensioning, three ASME University internet courses on Drawing Interpretation, Basic Geometric Dimensioning and Advanced Geometric Dimensioning, and two ASME ABC internet courses covering Drawing Formats, Line Conventions and Lettering, Orthographic and Pictorial Views, Dimensioning and Tolerancing, and Drawing Revisions.
The trainer made an effort to cover practical examples from the participants' fields of employment.
I now understand the fundamentals and practical application of GD&T in engineering drawing.