NIMS Offers New Methodology for Learning GDT

Photo Credit: NIMS

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) has developed a new methodology to learn, retain and transfer knowledge for geometric tolerancing and dimensioning (GDT) across an organization and is offering the training in a day-and-a-half workshop.

It is said that, conventionally, most people are taught print reading with drawings which are annotated with limit dimensioning and all its flaws. Lessons in limit dimensioning are further applied in engineering or manufacturing activities. Students or employees are then exposed to GDT – the international standard for symbols — to describe parts in a language that is clearly understood by any manufacturer.

NIMS says this traditional approach usually results in limit dimensioning being the first language or native tongue, and GDT being the second. Going back and forth between the two may be a struggle for many and they rely on craftmanship to produce parts. This approach may eventually lead to producing parts within the specifications, but, according to NIMS, that approach is inconsistent and wastes time.

“GDT is the best way for manufacturers to ensure parts are absolutely within specifications,” says Montez King, NIMS executive director. “It gives designers, engineers and machinists a common language to communicate not only for manufacturing but how those parts fit into its final assembly.”

However, like any language, it only works if everyone agrees to speak it and fully understands it. And that’s where NIMS comes in. According to King, the optimal way to learn GDT is to teach employees and students how GDT works rather than its applications. Teaching GDT applications restricts understanding and only relays a process or procedure. But, when GDT is understood as though it’s the person’s native tongue, every application makes sense. In fact, when GDT is well understood, it’s retained and applications can be continuously improved.

NIMS says it helps organizations transfer GDT knowledge and skills much the same way children learn their native language. Further, NIMS says it teaches an organization how to embed GDT across all lines of communication within the enterprise. By the end of NIMS GDT training, the staff will be able to understand and use GDT in all stages of design and production.