What are limits and Fits?

How are they

important in Machine Design.

Limit When we have to assemble two

machine parts (for example nut and bolt) then
accuracy in the dimensions of each part is
necessary. Otherwise it would be very difficult
(sometimes impossible) to assemble them.
The exact (or actual) dimension is known as basic or
normal size.
Unfortunately, due to inaccuracy of manufacturing
methods it is almost impossible to make a part with
exact dimensions. Hence it is necessary for us to
allow some deviation in the dimensions of machine
components.

Types Of limits

1. Maximum (or upper) limits

2. Minimum (or Lower) limits

The maximum allowed size is known as upper limit

and the minimum allowed size is known as lower
limit
Fit is defined as the degree of freedom of tightness

between the mating parts in an assembly process, it is also

defined as the relationship between the hole and the

shaft during the Assembly is called Fit. In this article, we

are going to discuss different types of Fits in a detailed way.

The various parameters that can be included are Maximum
Interference, Minimum Interference, Maximum Clearance,
minimum clearance, etc.
Types of Fits:
The 3 types of fits are as follows...

1. Clearance Fit
2. Interference Fit
3. Transition Fit

Go through this article till the end, so that you can understand
different types of fits briefly.
Fit obtaining parts are either movable or fixed joints.

Example of a fit are, Shaft and Bearing assembly.

 Clearance fit:
The dimensions of the hole and shaft are such that always
clearance or gap is existing between hole and shaft called
Clearance fit.

The condition of this type of fit is Hole size must be

greater than Shaft size.

Types of Clearance Fits:

The most commonly used fits of the clearance type are.

1. Slide fit
2. Running Fit
3. Slack running Fits
4. Easy Slide
5. Loose Running Fits

 Interference fit:
Dimensions of hole and shaft are such that without the
interference of external agency the Assembly of hole and shaft is
not possible.

The condition will be the shaft size must be greater than the Hole
size.

Types of Interference Fits:

Interference Fit is further Classified into the following

types.

1. Force Fit
2. Tight Fit
3. Shrink Fit

 Transition Fit:
The dimensions of hole and shaft are such that sometimes
the Clearance fit and sometimes the Interference fit is
produced called Transition fit

Types of Transition Fits:

The transition fit is classified into two types:

1. Wringing Fit
2. Push-fit
 How do we apply the limit system in
the design of the machine elements.

When one part is matting with another one, first of all, the fit
between the two parts must be determined.

Types of Fits]. To determine the fit, we must take one component

as the constant member and the second component will have the
deviations according to the type of fit chosen.

By making a constant member we can classify them as hole basis

system and shaft basis system. these are the two bases of the
limit system. In hole basis system Hole values are constant and
the deviations will be considered in the shaft dimensions. In Shaft
basis system the shaft dimensions are constant and the deviation
will be considered in the hole dimensions.

Important Terms Used in Limit System

1. Nominal size
2. Basic size
3. Actual size
4. Limits of sizes
5. Tolerance
6. Allowance
7. Tolerance zone
8. Zero line
9. Upper deviation
10. Lower deviation
11. Actual deviation
12. Mean deviation
13. Fundamental deviation

These are the important terms used in the limit system. Let’s see
what are the definitions of all above-listed terms in the Limit

System?
The term shaft is meant for any external dimension of the part
whereas the hole represents for the internal dimension of the part.

Engineering fits are generally used as part

of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing when a part or
assembly is designed. In engineering terms, the "fit" is the
clearance between two mating parts, and the size of this
clearance determines whether the parts can, at one end of the
spectrum, move or rotate independently from each other or, at the
other end, are temporarily or permanently joined together.
Engineering fits are generally described as a "shaft and hole"
pairing, but are not necessarily limited to just round
components. ISO is the internationally accepted standard for
defining engineering fits, but ANSI is often still used in North
America.
ISO and ANSI both group fits into three categories: clearance,
location or transition, and interference. Within each category are
several codes to define the size limits of the hole or shaft - the
combination of which determines the type of fit. A fit is usually
selected at the design stage according to whether the mating
parts need to be accurately located, free to slide or rotate,
separated easily, or resist separation. Cost is also a major factor
in selecting a fit, as more accurate fits will be more expensive to
produce, and tighter fits will be more expensive to assemble.
Methods of producing work to the required tolerances to achieve
a desired fit range from casting, forging and drilling for the widest
tolerances
through broaching, reaming, milling and turning to lapping and ho
ning at the tightest tolerances.