Datums and Datum Systems

A datum system has the purpose of defining a set of two or more ideal features established in a specific order (for example, a system made up of a triad of mutually orthogonal planes) that allows not only the tolerance zones to be orientated and located, but also their origin to be defined for the measurement, and the workpiece to be blocked during the control. When it is not desirable to use a complete integral feature to establish a datum feature, it is possible to indicate portions of the single feature (areas, lines or points) and their dimensions and locations using datum targets. This chapter illustrates the main differences between the ISO 5459 and ASME standards for the specification of datums and highlight some theoretical and mathematical concepts. This section also provides simple rules to follow whenever choosing functional datums to ensure the part will function as intended, with the least possible amount of variation.