Campus Manufacturing Sizes and Tolerances¶

The desired precision or accuracy of a part generally dictates the process used to fabricate it. This should be reflected in the significant digits used on drawings. The RPI CAD_templates call out this relationship in the title block.

• most parts of your house require ± 1/32" tolerance (or 0.032") and are made with a tape measure and a circular saw
• some parts of your car's engine may require ± 0.002" and are produced with CNC machining and grinding processes

Common campus fabrication processes

Process	Material	Max size (LxWxH)	Tolerance
CNC Machining	metal, plastic	30 x 16 x 20"	± 0.002"
Abrasive Water Jet Cutting	metal, plastic, wood	48 x 48 x 10"	± 0.010"
Laser Cutting	wood, fabrics, paper products, and certain plastics	25 x 18 x 1/4"	± 0.001"
Rapid Prototyping	ABS, PLA	8 x 8 x 12"	± 0.010"
Rapid Prototyping	metal		±
CNC Router	wood, plastic, foam	48 x 48 x 6"	± 0.010"