Ordinate and Linear Dimensions

[macduff]

Hello,
I’m checking some engineering drawings and notice that the engineer has a mix of Ordinate and Linear Dimensioning schemes defining his geometry. Is this normal practice? I mention he should stick with one or the other. He used linear scheme to define the centerline of the part, then used ordinate for the other. What are your thoughts? I can upload an example if you need to look at my issue.

Thanks,


Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2010 SP 5.0
Dell T5500 XP Pro SP 3 (32-bit)
Xeon CPU 2.53 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro 4000 2 GB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[ctopher]

I don't like to mix them. Consistency makes good dwgs IMO. I have had cases when a customer required mix dims per their own contract drawings, but rare.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[TheTick]

You need to be more specific. I will, on occasion, mix the two. If nearly everything can be measured from common datums save for a small hole pattern or a bend line, I will add regular dimensions in the same view as the ordinates. Just don't have anything double-dimensioned, is all.

I don't think there's chapter-and-verse anywhere that explicitly prohibits a dual scheme.

Martinet

 

[drawoh]

macduff,

Is the drawing clear and unambiguous?

If so, I would say it is okay. I have mixed the two on occasion.

JHG

 

[fcsuper]

Dimensioning and tolerancing should be done to properly define the part. Style of the dimensioning scheme should be second to that. It's OK in my book to mix them as needed.

Matt Lorono, CSWP
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion
Follow me on Twitter

 

[macduff]

Thanks for the feedback all. I'm just going to leave it alone for now.

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2010 SP 5.0
Dell T5500 XP Pro SP 3 (32-bit)
Xeon CPU 2.53 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro 4000 2 GB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer