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Home Xometry Community CAD & Software Best file format for tight-tolerance parts with GD&T annotations

Best file format for tight-tolerance parts with GD&T annotations

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Hi, I’m designing a housing component for an optical assembly, machined from anodized 7075-T6 aluminum, with several ±0.01 mm tolerances and GD&T callouts for perpendicularity and flatness. The part is quite compact (80x60x40 mm) but critical for alignment, so every micron counts. I’ve been exporting both STEP and 2D PDF drawings, but I’m wondering if there’s a better practice or format that preserves tolerancing data more reliably when handing it off to manufacturers. Any insight from those dealing with precision CNC parts?

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      Hi, I’m designing a housing component for an optical assembly, machined from anodized 7075-T6 aluminum, with several ±0.01 mm tolerances and GD&T callouts for perpendicularity and flatness. The part is quite compact (80x60x40 mm) but critical for alignment, so every micron counts. I’ve been exporting both STEP and 2D PDF drawings, but I’m wondering if there’s a better practice or format that preserves tolerancing data more reliably when handing it off to manufacturers. Any insight from those dealing with precision CNC parts?

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      How frequently do you have these close-tolerance parts manufactured? Do you have the option of developing a relationship with one specific manufacturer? My advice would be to have compatible software between yourself and them – then you can transfer the native design file without the need for exporting into a standard file format like STEP. If you’re using one of the big, common software packages like Solidworks or Inventor, you should be able to find someone you can work with quite easily.

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Best file format for tight-tolerance parts with GD&T annotations
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