What does the term "tolerance" refer to in manufacturing?

The term "tolerance" in manufacturing specifically refers to the permissible limit or limits of variation in a physical dimension. In the context of manufacturing processes, it is crucial to specify tolerances for dimensions to ensure parts will fit and function properly once assembled. Tolerances are significant because they account for the inherent variability in manufacturing processes, ensuring that even with some variation, the final product meets the required specifications.

When parts are manufactured, slight deviations in size or shape can occur due to machine precision, material properties, and human factors. By defining acceptable tolerances, manufacturers can ensure parts that are produced remain functional and interchangeable, which is essential for quality control, assembly, and overall product reliability. Understanding and properly implementing tolerances is a critical aspect of engineering and production processes in order to meet design specifications and customer requirements.