A tenth of a millimeter may seem insignificant — until the product doesn’t fit. Tolerances determine how well parts work together in real production. Too loose, and the product feels sloppy. Too tight, and manufacturing becomes unnecessarily expensive. At Vormelijk Engineering, we define tolerances based on real workshop conditions: practical, achievable, and reliable.
1) Tight tolerances cost more than you think
Many CAD models are designed with default settings that are far too tight for the intended production method. This leads to more inspections, rework, and scrap. By consciously defining tolerances based on process capability, costs drop without any loss of quality.
2) The right tolerances start in the design phase
We determine early on where precision is truly critical — and where clearance is acceptable. This ensures that critical fits and functions remain intact, while aligning the design more closely with production capability.
3) Collaboration between engineer and manufacturer
The best tolerances don’t come from a table — they come from collaboration. By discussing tooling, clamping, and measurement methods directly with manufacturers, we ensure drawings are not only correct on paper but also practical in production.
4) Less discussion, more predictability
Well-chosen tolerances prevent endless revisions, corrections, and interpretation errors. Every part fits as intended — with no surprises during assembly. That saves time, frustration, and cost throughout the entire production chain.
Tolerances may seem like minor details, but they form the foundation of reliable manufacturing. These small decisions make the difference between a design that’s correct — and a design that truly works.
