Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
(OP)
Folks-
How is this done? You can't create the datum to either the small diameter of the large diameter because the center of a circle is a point. ON the other hand with a normal hole if you assign a datum to the diameter then you've got a valid datum axis where the center of the cylinder is an axis.
It was suggested to assign, say, C to one diameter and, say, D to the other. The axis would then be the compound datum C-D. The problem with that is that there is no precedent in Y14.5M establishing a datum POINT!
This is such a common case in real life that it amazes me that Y14.5M hasn't covered it!
How is this done? You can't create the datum to either the small diameter of the large diameter because the center of a circle is a point. ON the other hand with a normal hole if you assign a datum to the diameter then you've got a valid datum axis where the center of the cylinder is an axis.
It was suggested to assign, say, C to one diameter and, say, D to the other. The axis would then be the compound datum C-D. The problem with that is that there is no precedent in Y14.5M establishing a datum POINT!
This is such a common case in real life that it amazes me that Y14.5M hasn't covered it!
Tunalover





RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
editorial comment
A countersink seems like an awfully flaky feature to use as a datum. Difficult to pick up with a gage, lots of variance in a small zone for CMM. Why not use the hole and not the c'sink?
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Tunalover
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
I don't know what 14.5 has to say about it, but the traditional way of measuring the location of a tapered hole or using it as a datum is with a gage ball of specified diameter, the diameter usually being chosen so the ball stops halfway through the cone.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
From a functional standpoint, hole centers are often good choices for datums especially for the control of coaxial features. It follows then that tapered holes often serve as natural and functionally-significant datums.
I've always held that functionality carries 85% of the weight when choosing datums! Inspectability carries the remaining 15%.
Tunalover
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Mike H's gage ball idea would work well enough, though again depending on the quaity of the cut.
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Where are these examples you mention?
Tunalover
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Try Fig. 4-34 on page 76.
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Are you referring to Y14.5M-1994?
Tunalover
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
RE: Assigning a datum axis through a tapered (countersunk) holes
Assuming that you want the axis to be the primary datum feature, select the conical surface as the primary datum feature and include a note under the datum callout (or in an addendum or note elsewhere) indicating that the axis is only being used to generate the primary datum (axis); then label another feature as the secondary datum. In the FCF, include the primary datum and secondary datum (and tertiary as needed to clock the part).
It's easier if the cone's axis can be the secondary datum; the primary datum will already override the datum plane that would otherwise have been generated at the vertex.
Another option, rather than using the entire surface of the cone is to use a series of datum targets. A ring (usually 5 points MIN to catch lobing effects) of targets at a location near one end of the cone and a ring (an odd number of points, but more points than at the first ring) of targets near the other end of the cone will be used, with the RESULTANT axis being used as the datum. (Note, the RESULTANT axis DOES NOT correspond to the actual axis of the part).
Another option that I've heard of is to use a toroidal ring to locate the center at one location (essentially line contact) on the cone, and a series of 3 or more (odd number again) points around the circumference at a substantial distance from the toroidal ring. This method actually sets up a compound-datum which, of course, may have nothing to do with the actual axis of the part.
My preference is to specify the whole surface to generate the axis, and meet with inspection to agree on a mutually-acceptable way of establishing the datum in practice (and document it!).
Sorry it's a long answer, but it's a major topic! Hope it helps.
Jim Sykes, P.Eng, GDTP-S
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