Frank,
CH is right, there is no specific definition of "location" in Y14.5 We must pull its meaning from the context(s) it is used in. Here is the breakdown that I would use:
1. Location of a feature relative to datum(s)
-we get this by applying any of the Tolerances of Location (Position, Concentricity, Symmetry) to a feature or features
-I would say that we also get this with both types of Profile, Circular Runout, and Total Runout
-location is controlled because the tolerance zone is not allowed to translate relative to the datum(s)
-the relationship between the considered feature and the datum(s) must be basic described with explicit or implicit basic dimensions/angles)
-I usually refer to this as "absolute location"
2. Location of a feature relative to other features
-we get this by applying the Position or Profile characteristic to a pattern or group of features
-location is controlled because the tolerance zones are not allowed to translate relative to each other
-the relationship between the features must be basic (described with explicit or implicit basic dimensions/angles)
-I usually refer to this as "relative location"
The use of the terms "absolute location" and "relative location" here is my own, and others may suggest alternative terms. Also, directly toleranced dimensions can also locate features but I have not dealt with this case.
Frank, you're extending the idea of relative location to apply to the location of points on a feature relative to other points on a feature. I would say that this is a valid concept, but the Y14.5 standard does not go there. Using the term "relative location" to apply to within-feature relationships would confuse most GD&T users.
Can we agree to acknowledge that containment is technically a type of within-feature relative location, but reserve the term "location" to apply to features as described above?
Evan Janeshewski
Axymetrix Quality Engineering Inc.