Composite Tolerances

A composite tolerance specifies two tolerances for the same geometric characteristic of a feature or features that have different datum requirements. One tolerance relates to a pattern of features and the other tolerance to each feature within the pattern. The individual feature tolerance is more restrictive than the pattern tolerance.

In the illustration above, where datums A and B intersect is called the datum axis, the point from which the position of the pattern is calculated. A composite tolerance could specify both the diameter of the pattern of holes and the diameter of each individual hole, as in the illustration below.

When you add composite tolerances to a drawing, you specify the first line of a feature control frame and then choose the same geometric characteristic symbol for the second line of the feature control frame. AutoCAD LT extends the geometric symbol compartment over both lines. You can then create a second line of tolerance symbols.