Feature Control Frames

Definition

Feature control frames are specific geometric tolerancing symbols used in technical drawings to define the permissible limits of variation for the size, form, orientation, and location of features on a part. They provide a standardized way to communicate the design intent and manufacturing requirements for parts, ensuring that components fit and function together correctly in mechanical and manufacturing designs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feature control frames are composed of a rectangular box containing geometric symbols, tolerance values, and references to datums.
2. Each feature control frame specifies a particular type of tolerance, such as flatness, circularity, or position, providing clear instructions for manufacturing.
3. Proper use of feature control frames helps reduce manufacturing errors and improves quality by ensuring that parts meet precise specifications.
4. They are essential for communication between design engineers and manufacturing teams, enabling effective collaboration in the production process.
5. Incorporating feature control frames into designs is crucial for achieving interchangeability and ensuring that components function properly within an assembly.

Review Questions

• How do feature control frames enhance communication between design engineers and manufacturing teams?
  • Feature control frames enhance communication by providing a standardized method of conveying the exact requirements for part features. They outline tolerances and references clearly, allowing manufacturing teams to understand the designer's intent without ambiguity. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings that could lead to costly errors in production.
• Discuss how feature control frames relate to the overall concept of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in design documentation.
  • Feature control frames are integral to the GD&T system as they provide specific tolerance information related to part features. GD&T utilizes these frames to communicate how much variation is acceptable for each feature's size, shape, orientation, and location. This ensures that parts will fit together correctly and function as intended in their final assembly.
• Evaluate the impact of correctly implemented feature control frames on product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
  • Correctly implemented feature control frames significantly enhance product quality by establishing clear standards for tolerances that must be met during manufacturing. This precision reduces variations that can lead to defects or assembly issues, thereby increasing overall manufacturing efficiency. Additionally, they promote consistency across production runs and facilitate easier inspections, which ultimately leads to higher customer satisfaction.

Related terms

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T): A system for defining engineering tolerances that uses symbols and annotations to convey information about the geometry of parts.

Datums:

Reference points or surfaces on a part that serve as the basis for measuring other features, crucial for maintaining consistency in measurements.

Tolerance Zone: The area within which a feature is permitted to deviate from its specified geometry, defined by the values indicated in the feature control frame.