Frank,
Each part would have its own general tolerance value, and drf. This appeases the Y14.5 requirement that all features be controlled. Beyond that, you override with local controls. I.e. appropriate controls on your datum features, tighter or looser controls where needed/warranted on specific features. Some of us who were more experienced would base our values on process knowledge and industry standard such as 2768, while others would pull a thumb-suck from 2768 without understanding the implications. There were various philosophies about selecting which tolerance to put in the general tol frame too; ISO requires the loosest shop capability (or is it the tightest; I keep forgetting) while some designers emphasize the tightest with all looser tolerances being directly applied. To me, it made sense to reduce detailing time by selecting the most common acceptable tolerance. I found that most people then rationalized that they typically were too restrictive with their tolerances on most features anyway, and ended up accepting the general tol as adequate for even more features.
Yup, Dave, we agree to disagree.
Now, on 4-15, these are my thoughts; there is no HARM in adding the datum references even if they are not required for functionality PROVIDING THAT it does induce an additional setup for inspection. I say this because if the DRF is not filled in, then you would need to break down the inspection setup to eliminate over-constraint; I pretty much guarantee that a CMM operator doesn't break down the datums for a new feature. Taking a blend radius as an example, there's no value in the DRF - agreed - but are you going to break down the setup to verify it?
Overall, nothing should be a carte-blanche for design or inspection, but some conveniences can save both parties significant time and effort ... and a general surface profile has proven to be one of them for many situations.
Jim Sykes, P.Eng, GDTP-S
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