×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Use of Tabular Dimensions

Use of Tabular Dimensions

Use of Tabular Dimensions

(OP)
Hello all,

I am in the process of assisting in the update of David A. Madsens' 5th Edition of "Engineering Drawing and Design", published by Thomson-Delmar Learning.  I am working on Chapter 25 which covers HVAC, Pattern Development and Precision Sheet Metal Drafting.  

In the Precision Sheet Metal Drafting section, it is stated that for items such as chassis layouts, that the method of dimensioning these parts "...includes standard unidirectinal, arrowless or tabular dimensioning systems".

My question is this:  Is tabular dimensioning used that much for this type of sheet metal work?

Thank you for your reply's.  

RE: Use of Tabular Dimensions

cadboss,

   Is there any reason it should not be?

               JHG

RE: Use of Tabular Dimensions

(OP)
drawoh,

No, I just wanted to verify that it is used in sheet metal dimensioning.  Tabular dimensioning isn't a style of dimensioning that is seen that much.  My thinking was that ordinate dimensioning would be used predominantly but tabular does seem to have it's purpose in sheet metal.

RE: Use of Tabular Dimensions

cadboss,

   After nine years on SolidWorks, I finally used their tabular dimensioning.  I recently had a plate with sixty threaded holes in it.  Any dimensioning scheme other than tabular would have been unreadable.  A complex, spline outline might be a candidate for tabular dimensions as per Fig.1.35 in ASME Y14.5-2009 (Fig.1.32 in ASME Y14.5M-1994).

   Perhaps a better question to ask would be if anyone has an example of a justifiable tabular dimensioned drawing.  It would illustrate the technique, and show off the problem it solves.  

   Tabular dimensioning is someting that sits in your toolbox until you need it.   

               JHG

RE: Use of Tabular Dimensions

(OP)
Kenat, drawoh, both your reply's have answered the question well enough for me.  The present statement in the book is "...the dimensioning and tolerancing for precision sheet metal parts are citical, and arrowless, dtum, and tabular dimensioning is often used with close tolerances to achieve an accurate layout".  Based on your statements and relating them to the above text, tabular does have it's place and is used.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would think a rewording of the text would be appropriate to cover both of your statements?  

RE: Use of Tabular Dimensions

cadboss,

   I would be careful with the word "often".  In my case, once in nine years probably does not qualify.  KENAT's mileage may be different.  Actually, I managed to do tabular dimensions on AutoCAD_10 a very long time ago.

   I claim that the dimensioning and tolerancing of low precision components is critical too, and in many cases, more complicated and challenging.  What you really need to do is show your readers what options are available for applying dimensions to their parts.  

               JHG

RE: Use of Tabular Dimensions

(OP)
drawoh, because of the use of the word "often" was the reason I was questioning.  That's why I am thinking of rewriting it so it does offer it as a dimensioning option but not in such a manner that it would be used "often".

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources