Contour vs. Profile - Is there a connection between "Contour" & "Profile"?

[optomist1]

Hi To All,

While studying 14.5M, and reviewing some sample drawings (no longer at my disposal) I have noticed the use of "Contour", I have searched 14.5M and various websites for a definition of "Contour" no luck.

Is there a connection between "Contour" & "Profile"? If so, what is it and is there an official definition (other than Webster's) of "Contour"?

Thank you for your assistance...

Regards,
Marty

[True Position]

I have heard contour used as a description for a surface you apply a profile tolerance to.

eg: 'The contour of the curve is in the math data'.

[optomist1]

Hi True Position,

Thank you for the response, so could you think of an instance where "Contour" would be used on a y14.5M part drawing, or in conjunction with a profile control?

Regards,
Marty

[David DeLong]

Marty:

No, contour would not be used on a drawing. Profile of a Line or Surface would be used. The definition for contour is in Websters rather than ASME Y14.5-2009.

[Hodgepodge]

I've never seen "Contour" on a blueprint but the word is used in the programming and set up of our CNC machines. It seems like machining vernacular.

[optomist1]

In Reply to Parent Post by David DeLong

Marty:

No, contour would not be used on a drawing. Profile of a Line or Surface would be used. The definition for contour is in Websters rather than ASME Y14.5-2009.

David and HodgePodge,

Thank you both for your timely response, I value your learned insight. Here is what is really strange (eventhough I am still a GD&T in training), I recently had an interview (Q.E.) with a large multi-national Aerospace firm, during the interview (three on one of course) I was given a "typical drawing" supposedly/assuming per Y14.5M, and it appeared to be a engine seal or flange part. Mind you it wasn't a test, but rather meant to show the type of "typical drawings" we would be working with. While reviewing the three page drawing, the use of the word "Contour" popped off the page, it, as I recall "Contour" was used as part of a FCF applied to 5-6 surfaces. Of course my comment was "this is not per Y14.5M, is the intent to use a Profile of Surface call out...", no response.

It has bugged me for tha last two weeks....I am thinking may be this is an company specific use of "Contour"...if so this seems to miss the whole point of Y14.5M....a common language used to generate and communication part function/use and its drawing(s)....kind of frustrating.

Your thoughts??

Regards,
Marty

[Jim Wynne]

In Reply to Parent Post by optomist1

David and HodgePodge,

Thank you both for your timely response, I value your learned insight. Here is what is really strange (eventhough I am still a GD&T in training), I recently had an interview (Q.E.) with a large multi-national Aerospace firm, during the interview (three on one of course) I was given a "typical drawing" supposedly/assuming per Y14.5M, and it appeared to be a engine seal or flange part. Mind you it wasn't a test, but rather meant to show the type of "typical drawings" we would be working with. While reviewing the three page drawing, the use of the word "Contour" popped off the page, it, as I recall "Contour" was used as part of a FCF applied to 5-6 surfaces. Of course my comment was "this is not per Y14.5M, is the intent to use a Profile of Surface call out...", no response.

It has bugged me for tha last two weeks....I am thinking may be this is an company specific use of "Contour"...if so this seems to miss the whole point of Y14.5M....a common language used to generate and communication part function/use and its drawing(s)....kind of frustrating.

Your thoughts??

Regards,
Marty

In another thread I think I remarked that you'd need to get used to this sort of thing. There are precious few drawings loose in the world that incorporate GD&T 100% correctly. You'll also find a sort of double-whammy--GD&T used incorrectly when it's not even necessary or helpful to use GD&T.

[David DeLong]

Marty:

It sounds like company jargon to me but it still means profile of a line or, probably, surface.