Squareness Tolerances
Squareness tolerance or “out of square” refers to the deviation of an end edge from a straight line at a perfect 90-degree angle. The length and width of a sheet may measure correctly, but sometimes the sheet is not square. A square sheet has perfect 90° angles in each of the four corners. In manufacturing metal sheets, this tolerance determines the permissible variation of a surface from a perfect square.
How to Measure Squareness Tolerance
To check the squareness of a sheet without measuring the angles, diagonal measurements can be used. The squareness tolerance is determined by identifying the difference between the diagonal measurements of a metal sheet divided by two. Let's say one diagonal is at 84.75" while the other diagonal is at 84.50". The squareness measurement is .125", or simply, the sheet is .125" out of square.
Tolerance of Resquared Sheets and Plate Up To 72"
| Thickness Range | Max Tolerance Out of Square | Difference of Diagonal Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 30-20 GA Sheets | 1/32" | 1/16" |
| 19-16 GA Sheets | 1/16" | 1/8" |
| 15-12 GA Sheets | 3/32" | 3/16" |
| 11-7 GA Sheets | 3/16" | 3/8" |
| 3/16" – 3/8" Plate | 1/4" | 1/2" |
| 3/8" – 5/8" Plate | 3/8" | 3/4" |
| 5/8" – 1" Plate | 3/4" | 1 1/2" |
Tolerance of Resquared Sheets and Plate Up to 120"
| Thickness Range | Max Tolerance Out of Square | Difference of Diagonal Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 30-20 GA Sheets | 1/16" | 1/8" |
| 19-16 GA Sheets | 1/8" | 1/4" |
| 15-12 GA Sheets | 3/16" | 3/8" |
| 11-7 GA Sheets | 3/8" | 3/4" |
| 3/16"-3/8" Plate | 1/2" | 1" |
| 3/8" – 5/8" Plate | 3/4" | 1 1/2" |
| 5/8" 1" Plate | 1 1/2" | 3" |
What Impacts Squareness Tolerance
Several variables affect the perforated metal squareness, creating deviations from the perfect right angle in all four corners. These factors include:
- Material type
- Size of the sheet
- Thickness range
- Manufacturing process
- Equipment and tooling
Importance of Tight Tolerances in Square Metal Sheets and Plates
Matching project specifications and standards for metal sheet squareness is critical for accurate fit and alignment and structural integrity. Going beyond the maximum tolerance out of square can lead to increased friction, potential equipment failure and reduced lifespan.
Hendrick Manufacturing adapts the metal perforating process to fulfill each project's specific demands for material, shape and hole placement. Different machine operations can perforate different materials and patterns, meeting customers' requests for blank areas, hole spacing or margins while delivering very tight tolerances.
Partner With Us for Tight Tolerances in Perforated Square Sheets
Learn more about square tolerances from the industry experts. At Hendrick Manufacturing, we meet your critical square tolerances for every project. Our custom ability enables the manufacturing of perforated metal based on standard tolerance. Contact us today for custom metal needs.
