02 / Tolerances

Tolerances & Specifications

Use these references to prepare an RFQ. They do not state guaranteed DRAmetal capability: tolerance feasibility, process source, measurement method and sampling are confirmed only after drawing review.

RFQ
Feasibility Review
CTQ
Critical Features
DRAWING
Invoked Standard
PLAN
Inspection Method

Tolerances by Process

RFQ Review Matrix
Process Drawing Input Main Variables Inspection Input Quotation Status
Fiber Laser Cutting Profile, edge and position requirements Material, thickness, size and heat input Datum and measurement method Confirm after review
CNC Press Brake Bending Angle, flange and formed-state datums Material, grain, tooling and bend sequence Fixture and cumulative stack Confirm after review
CNC Turret Punching Hole, form and edge requirements Tooling, sheet restraint and station access Pattern datum and sampling Confirm after review
3-Axis CNC Machining Datums, profile and surface requirements Material, stock, setup and feature access Measurement uncertainty and fixture Confirm after review
5-Axis CNC Machining Complex profile and positional requirements Setup strategy, tool access and stability Method and responsible inspection source Confirm after review
TIG Welding (after assembly) Post-weld dimensions and joint specification Heat input, fixture, sequence and access Weld and dimensional plan Confirm after review
Robotic Welding Joint, datum and production requirements Fixture, access, process qualification and volume Weld and dimensional plan Confirm after review
Hardware Insertion (PEM®) Hardware, hole and seating requirements Material, thickness, finish and installation direction Presence, seating and retention scope Confirm after review

Important: no fixed tolerance is promised by this table. Only a written quotation tied to the released drawing, process route and inspection plan establishes the accepted scope.

Tolerances by Material & Thickness

Laser Cutting
Material Thin Sheet Review Medium Sheet Review Thick Sheet Review Quotation Boundary
Aluminum 5052/6061 Alloy, temper and edge quality Heat input and flatness Cut route and distortion Drawing review required
Stainless Steel 304/316L Grade and finish protection Heat input and flatness Cut route and edge condition Drawing review required
Carbon Steel Q235/A36 Grade and surface condition Scale, heat input and flatness Cut route and distortion Drawing review required
Pure Copper T2/C11000 Temper and surface protection Heat input and burr control Equipment route must be confirmed Drawing review required
Titanium Grade 2 / Ti-6Al-4V Grade, stock form and contamination controls Heat input and edge condition Equipment route must be confirmed Drawing review required
Inconel 625/718 Grade, stock form and traceability Heat input and edge condition Equipment route must be confirmed Drawing review required

Material, thickness, stock condition, geometry and process route all affect feasibility. The table is a review checklist, not a capability claim. Read our ISO 2768 guide for how to specify these effectively.

ISO 2768 Quick Reference

General Tolerances

Linear Dimensions (ISO 2768-1)

Nominal Size (mm) f (Fine) m (Medium) c (Coarse) v (Very Coarse)
0.5 – 3 ±0.05 ±0.1 ±0.2 —
3 – 6 ±0.05 ±0.1 ±0.3 ±0.5
6 – 30 ±0.1 ±0.2 ±0.5 ±1.0
30 – 120 ±0.15 ±0.3 ±0.8 ±1.5
120 – 400 ±0.2 ±0.5 ±1.2 ±2.5
400 – 1000 ±0.3 ±0.8 ±2.0 ±4.0

Angular Tolerances (ISO 2768-1)

Shorter Side (mm) f / m c v
≤ 10±1°±1°30'±3°
10 – 50±0°30'±1°±2°
50 – 120±0°20'±0°30'±1°
120 – 400±0°10'±0°15'±0°30'
> 400±0°5'±0°10'±0°20'

Geometric Tolerances (ISO 2768-2)

Length / Size (mm) H (Fine) K (Medium) L (Coarse)
Up to 100.020.050.1
10 – 300.050.10.2
30 – 1000.10.20.4
100 – 3000.20.40.8
300 – 10000.30.61.2

GD&T Drawing Review (ISO 1101 / ASME Y14.5)

Project-Defined

Form Tolerances

  • Identify the functional datum system
  • Separate formed-state and machined requirements
  • Define free-state or restrained inspection
  • Confirm method and feasibility by quotation

Orientation Tolerances

  • State perpendicularity and parallelism to datums
  • Define the controlled feature length
  • Confirm fixture and measurement access
  • Invoke the applicable drawing standard

Location & Profile

  • Define basic dimensions and datum precedence
  • State material-condition modifiers when needed
  • Provide profile CAD and inspection alignment
  • Confirm measurement method by quotation

Runout Tolerances

  • Identify the datum axis and controlled surface
  • Define circular or total runout explicitly
  • Confirm rotation and fixture method
  • Equipment and source are project-defined

Surface Roughness Reference

Planning Only
Surface Finish Ra (µm) Process Typical Application
Mill / As Cut 6.3 – 12.5 Laser, plasma Hidden surfaces, weldments
Standard Machined 3.2 – 6.3 CNC milling General mechanical parts
Fine Machined 1.6 – 3.2 Finish pass CNC Mating surfaces
Brushed 0.8 – 1.6 Belt sanding Decorative, food-grade
Polished 0.2 – 0.8 Buffing Sanitary, optical
Electropolished 0.1 – 0.4 Electrochemical Medical, semiconductor
Mirror Polish ≤ 0.1 Multi-step Optical, premium consumer

These are general process references, not guaranteed DRAmetal results. The drawing must state the parameter, value, cutoff, direction and acceptance method; the quotation confirms the responsible process source.

Need a Specific Tolerance Achieved?

Send your CAD file with critical tolerances marked — our initial response target is within 24 working hours. Tolerance feasibility, process recommendations and quotation timing depend on the submitted scope.

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