Integrating Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing with Additive Manufacturing: A Perspective

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) are among the basic concepts of functional fitness and quality assurance in modern manufacturing. The historical development of GD&T took place primarily in the ambit of subtractive manufacturing; the advent of Additive Manufacturing (AM) now presents novel challenges due to the complexity of geometries, material variability, and process-induced variances. The present Perspective Paper briefly hints at key challenges for the future of GD&T in AM, with an eye to the necessary adaptation of tolerancing principles to AM-specific geometries, integration of Model-Based Definition (MBD) in digital threads, and development of new standards for surface texture and tolerance stack-up. New inspection techniques are also highlighted for the AM parts, which would become more prominent. This study underscores the need for continued research and collaboration to develop comprehensive GD&T frameworks tailored to AM, ensuring its industrial scalability and interoperability with traditional manufacturing systems.