What tolerances are achievable and practical?
This is a question that is asked all the time, but is very difficult to answer without a particular part and machine type in mind. Often someone will ask, “can you hold .002 (or whatever)?” Naturally, the tolerance can be held, but it may change the way a part is made. It may require more attention from the operator, may require a more time consuming inspection method, and likely will result in higher costs. Your supplier should be eager to discuss your particular requirements and he should welcome the opportunity to be involved in concurrent engineering, designing his process concurrently with the part design and assuring an ideal match.
