To achieve a clearance fit between a shaft and its mating hole, which type of tolerance relationship is required?

To achieve a clearance fit between a shaft and its mating hole, which type of tolerance relationship is required?

• A. Interference fit
• B. Transition fit
• C. Clearance fit
• D. Force fit

Answer: (C)

A clearance fit means the hole is larger than the shaft, creating a gap that allows movement between the parts. In tolerancing terms, this requires the minimum size of the hole to be greater than the maximum size of the shaft, so there is positive clearance in every assembled condition. This ensures easy assembly and the ability for sliding or rotating motion without binding. Other fit types shift toward no clearance or even interference: an interference fit makes the shaft larger than the hole (assembly requires force), a transition fit can be either clearance or interference depending on the tolerance bands, and a force fit is essentially another term for an interference/press fit.

A clearance fit means the hole is larger than the shaft, creating a gap that allows movement between the parts. In tolerancing terms, this requires the minimum size of the hole to be greater than the maximum size of the shaft, so there is positive clearance in every assembled condition. This ensures easy assembly and the ability for sliding or rotating motion without binding. Other fit types shift toward no clearance or even interference: an interference fit makes the shaft larger than the hole (assembly requires force), a transition fit can be either clearance or interference depending on the tolerance bands, and a force fit is essentially another term for an interference/press fit.