If you’ve ever suffered through a difficult lesson, you were likely not in Gary Griffith’s class. Griffith teaches geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), quality audits, measuring and gaging, and other quality-related subjects, and though the technical aspects could make for a dry learning experience, his students say Griffith makes it fun.

Today’s manufacturing industry relies on the use of GD&T definitions, and the ability to verify parts directly to them for first article and production inspection and reporting. Only then do orders ship and the manufacturer gets paid. Price and scheduling are negotiable, quality is not!

A noticeable influx of people and activity fueled the second day of IMTS 2018 at McCormick Place. 

CHICAGO - The third day of IMTS began on the shores of Lake Michigan with the Miles for Manufacturing 5K run/walk to raise money for manufacturing education. 

You hear a lot about Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) today, but less about its practical deployment and utilization in the manufacturing and inspection process.

Referees at sporting events can fuel elation or outrage with their calls when it comes to a favorite team, but in truth, these people are needed to provide an impartial interpretation of the rules of the game.

GD&T is the only tool we have with which to manage machine part geometry perfectly. In particular, it’s the only tool we have with which to impose truly functional limits of imperfection on machine part features and actually guarantee assembly and operation prior to drawing release.

In his article for Computerworld, Paul Glen recounts that when most executives have told him that their operations require more accountability what they are really saying is that they need someone to blame.

Much has been written about the advantages of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and much of it is true. 

In today’s highly specialized world of engineering it takes a village to develop and produce a component part, let alone a complete product.