Dual-Dimension Tolerance Rounding Tool

Use this Dual-Dimension Tolerance Calculator to convert dimensions and tolerances between mm and inches. It utilizes the “inward rounding” methodology to prevent tolerance growth or inversion, ensuring your converted limits and bilateral deviations maintain the original design intent. An aid for engineering and professional drawing unit conversion.

This Dual-Dimension Tolerance Rounding Tool is designed to be an aid for professionals who convert engineering dimensions and tolerances between metric (mm) and imperial (in) units.

Therefore, its core purpose is to address the critical risk of tolerance inversion or tolerance growth that can occur when mathematically rounding converted limits. The utility applies a methodology commonly referred to as “inward rounding,” which helps ensure the calculated secondary tolerance zone remains contained within the original primary zone. Although SOLIDWORKS has similar functionality built-in, there may be other times when this calculation is necessary but not available in a particular software.

By presenting limits or bilateral deviations derived from this methodology, the tool assists in reducing manual calculation errors and provides a valuable general reference for maintaining the part’s original design intent.

Note on Use: This utility uses the online decimal.js library for precision; so whether you download the utility or use it here, you’ll need internet access. As always, the results generated should be verified by a professional and used in accordance with your organization’s standards.

Dual-Dimension Tolerance Rounding Tool

Rounded Secondary Dimension (in)
Tolerance Range Comparison (Upper Limit is Left, Lower Limit is Right)
UPPER LIMIT (+Dev) LOWER LIMIT (-Dev)
If Sec. Nom. falls outside the Secondary Range, the condition may be invalid.

This utility is based on online sources, particular assumptions and calculations. This utility should only be used as a general reference. Results should always be verified. No one is responsible for incorrect information generated by this utility. Use thereof is the sole responsibility of the user. Use at your own risk.

DualDimensionTolRoundingTool.zip

Standard Views without Zoom-to-fit

When using Standard Views in SolidWorks, the resulting view of the model is normally Zoom to fit.  This is regardless to the zoom level of the current view.  So, if I’m zoomed in to look at a specific feature a very long part, when I change from Front View to Rear View, the model will be resized to fit to screen.  This might be unexpected in some cases, as it requires extra steps to return to the area where I was working on the model.

With newer versions of SolidWorks, there is an alternative.  A toggle setting is available under Tools>Options…>System Options>View.  Unselect the Zoom to fit when changing to standard views option.

The only draw back is that this toggle is buried deep within the Options window.  This makes the task of dynamically using this functionality difficult.  Otherwise, this is a great function.

Click to see larger view

Zoom to fit when changing to standard views