Parallelism refers to the degree of keeping parallelism, which indicates the condition that the measured actual element of the workpiece maintains an equidistant state relative to the benchmark.
The parallelism tolerance is the maximum allowable deviation between the actual direction of the measured element and the ideal direction parallel to the benchmark.
Example of parallelism: //0.03A
Parallelism tolerance with illustrations
1. Tolerance of Parallelism Between Lines
The tolerance zone is the area between two parallel planes located at a distance of tolerance value t from the datum line and in the given direction.
The axis being measured must be located between two parallel planes that are at a distance of 0.1 tolerance value and are parallel to the datum axis in the given direction.
The axis being measured must be located between two parallel planes that are at a distance of 0.2 tolerance value and are parallel to the datum line in the given direction.
The tolerance zone is the area between two pairs of parallel planes, perpendicular to each other and located at a distance of t1 and t2 tolerance values respectively from the datum line.
The axis being measured must be located between two sets of parallel planes, perpendicular to each other and parallel to the datum axis, at distances of tolerance values 0.2 and 0.1 respectively.
If Φ is added before the tolerance value, the tolerance zone is the area inside a cylindrical surface with diameter of tolerance value t and parallel to the datum line.
The axis being measured must be located inside a cylindrical surface with diameter of tolerance value 0.03 and parallel to the datum axis.
2. Tolerance of Parallelism Between Line and Surface
The tolerance zone is the area between two parallel planes located at a distance of tolerance value t from the datum plane and parallel to it.
The axis being measured must be located between two parallel planes that are at a distance of 0.01 tolerance value from the datum surface B (datum plane) and are parallel to it.
3. Tolerance of Parallelism Between Surface and Line
The tolerance zone is the area between two parallel planes that are at a distance of tolerance value t from the datum line and are parallel to it.
The surface being measured must be located between two parallel planes that are at a distance of 0.01 tolerance value from the datum axis C (datum line) and are parallel to it.
4. Tolerance of Parallelism Between Surfaces
The tolerance zone is the area between two parallel planes located at a distance of tolerance value t from the datum surface and are parallel to it.
The surface being measured must be located between two parallel planes that are at a distance of 0.01 tolerance value from the datum surface D (datum plane) and are parallel to it.
5. Schematic Diagram of Parallelism Measurement Using CMM
a. Measured surface feature.
b. Datum plane.
CMM probe can change angles and positions to measure surface features, acquire actual coordinates data of measured elements through sensors, and evaluate parallelism value using software.
Issue:
When the measured actual element belongs to non-rigid components, such as soft resin products and rubber, the measurement force of the probe may cause deformation of the measured surface, making it difficult to conduct accurate measurements.
In addition, for shapes that cannot be smoothly fixed to the reference plate with their target object’s reference plane, accurate measurements are also difficult to carry out.
Diagram of parallelism measurement using drag indicator.
Explanation:
- Parallelism requires a reference plane.
- Parallelism controls the direction, not the position.
- When parallelism controls the surface, it also controls the shape error (flatness).
EN 
DE 
ES 
RU 