SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 23: Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Note
You can also add tolerances to dimensions in models; the tolerance is brought in with the dimension if you use
the Insert Model Items feature. n

Refer to the Tolerance/Precision panel shown in Figure 23.11. The appropriate number entry fields

are activated when you assign the corresponding tolerance type to the dimension. The tolerance

types that are available in SolidWorks are shown in Figure 23.16.

FIGURE 23.16

The available tolerance types in SolidWorks

Fit Tolerancing

Basic Bilateral

Symmetrical Limit

Max Min

Changing precision values

In SolidWorks, precision means the number of decimal places with which dimensions are dis-

played. Typically, SolidWorks works to eight places with meters as the default units. You can cre-

ate templates that use up to eight places as the default setting, and then change the number of

places for individual dimensions as necessary. The first of the two boxes under Precision is used

for the dimension precision, and the second is used for tolerance precision.

You can change Precision values for individual dimensions in the PropertyManager for the dimen-

sion as well as the entire document by choosing Tools ➪ Options ➪ Document Properties ➪ Units.

Using Geometric Tolerancing symbols

The full range of Geometric Tolerancing symbols is available for control frames, datums, datum

targets, and so on. You can use the Geometric Tolerance dialog box to build control frames. This

dialog box is shown in Figure 23.17. For commonly used Geometric Tolerance symbols, you may

want to create and use styles.