Din 16742 | - Tg5 ((full))
: Always specify the standard and group on technical drawings (e.g., "General tolerances DIN 16742 – TG5"). Match Material to TG : Ensure your chosen resin (like ABS, PC, or Nylon
is not merely a number on a drawing. It is an engineering contract between designer, toolmaker, and molder. Specifying TG5 says: “I need functional fit, but I respect the physics of plastics.”
All tolerances in DIN 16742 are . If asymmetrical tolerances (e.g., fit dimensions) are required, they must be converted to a symmetrical tolerance field location by formally modifying the nominal dimension to the tolerance mean dimension C: 100-0.6 → 99.7 ± 0.3 . din 16742 - tg5
The standard doesn't just provide a table of numbers; it calculates tolerances based on several variables: 1. Mold-Fixed vs. Non-Mold-Fixed Dimensions
The DIN 16742 standard establishes a comprehensive framework comprising nine distinct tolerance groups () to classify manufacturing accuracy. : Always specify the standard and group on
DIN 16742 is closely linked to the international standard (or ISO 20457), which covers the same subject — tolerances for plastic moulded parts — at an ISO level. In practice, the two standards are used interchangeably; many companies and software tools support both. The primary difference is that DIN 16742 retains some German‑specific details and references, while ISO 20457 is intended for global application. For most practical engineering purposes, TG5 values in DIN 16742 align with the corresponding tolerance class in ISO 20457.
represents the standardized threshold for precision design and manufacturing of plastic molded components, serving as the benchmark for "Standard Precision" within the global plastics industry. Established by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) to succeed the older DIN 16901 standard, this standard bridges the gap between what engineers model in CAD software and what plastic injection molding machines realistically output under stable production environments. Specifying TG5 says: “I need functional fit, but
DIN 16742-TG5 is the designated tolerance group for . It is the default choice for general tolerances on engineering drawings and is the standard applied by many manufacturers for their standard injection moulding processes. The specification "DIN 16742 – TG5" in a drawing's title block defines the permissible general tolerances for all features not explicitly dimensioned.
Achieving TG5 is not automatic. It requires disciplined manufacturing protocols:
Tolerances widen to a range between
For the designer, specifying TG5 means adopting a realistic, production‑friendly tolerance that avoids the pitfalls of over‑specifying based on metal‑part intuition. For the manufacturer, TG5 defines a clear, measurable target that can be consistently met with properly designed tooling, controlled processes, and standard quality‑assurance methods. In both cases, DIN 16742 – TG5 provides the common language needed to communicate dimensional expectations clearly, unambiguously, and — most importantly — achievable.
