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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Tolerances and Measurement

Dimension

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/dɪˈmɛnʃən/nounCore term

In mechanical engineering, dimension means: A measurement of size or position on a part, such as a length, width, diameter or the distance between two holes, shown as a number on a drawing.

In Turkish: ölçü, boyut

How it is used

Used on drawings, in inspection and when quoting. Engineers add, check and measure dimensions; a critical dimension is one that affects function. As a verb, dimension means to put dimensions on a drawing. Overall dimensions give the outside size of a product.

Example sentences

  1. Mark the critical dimensions on the drawing so the inspector checks them first.

  2. The overall dimensions of the unit are 1200 × 800 × 950 mm.

Common collocations

  • critical dimension
  • overall dimensions
  • check a dimension
  • nominal dimension
  • missing dimension
  • toleranceThe allowed amount of variation in a dimension or property, for example ±0.05 mm. A part is acceptable if its measured value falls inside this range.
  • technical drawingA precise drawing of a part or assembly that shows its shape, dimensions, tolerances, material and finish, so that it can be made and inspected.
  • caliperA hand measuring tool with two jaws that measures outside and inside sizes and depths, usually to 0.01 or 0.02 mm. It can be vernier, dial or digital.
  • datumA theoretically exact point, line or surface on a part, marked with a letter on the drawing, from which other features are located and measured.
  • micrometerA precision measuring tool with a calibrated screw that measures small sizes such as diameters and thicknesses, usually to 0.01 mm or 0.001 mm.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Tolerances and Measurement

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