GD&T

GD&T True Position: AS9102 glossary definition

GD&T true position is a geometric control that defines the allowed location variation of a feature relative to specified datums and tolerance conditions.

Updated July 3, 2026

What GD&T True Position means

GD&T true position is a geometric control that defines the allowed location variation of a feature relative to specified datums and tolerance conditions.

In a FAIR, true position often needs more than a simple measured diameter or coordinate. The Form 3 requirement should preserve the feature control frame, datums, tolerance, and material condition when applicable.

Use this term as a review cue: it should help connect a drawing requirement, specification, certificate, result, or approval field to the evidence a customer will inspect. If the purchase order or customer portal uses stricter wording, follow that controlled source instead of this glossary entry.

Where it appears in AS9102

True position usually appears on Form 3 as a requirement and result pair. The characteristic designator, reference location, result, tooling note, and evidence attachment may all be important for review.

In an Articul review, this term is treated as part of the traceability path from source drawing or flowed requirement to form field, evidence, validation issue, and final approval. Use the AS9102 standard text as the controlled source, and use this glossary to clarify reviewer-facing meaning before export. When the term is ambiguous, keep the reviewer note close to the row or field it affects.

Review notes

Confirm the datum reference frame, basic dimensions, tolerance zone, material condition, and inspection method before signing the row.
Do not reduce true position to a single coordinate without documenting the evaluated tolerance condition and datum basis.
Keep wording, units, identifiers, and attachment names consistent across the drawing, Forms 1-3, evidence files, and any customer portal submission.

AS9102 Forms 1-3 guideField-by-field hub for the complete FAIR package How to fill out Form 3Characteristic requirement, result, and nonconformance review AS9102 Form 3 templateCharacteristic accountability workbook and completed example Ballooned drawing examplesSample prints paired with downloadable Form 3 rows

Characteristic DesignatorA characteristic designator is the Form 3 field used when a drawing or customer requirement assigns a special classification, key characteristic flag, or similar designator to a characteristic.RequirementA requirement is the design or flowed condition that a Form 3 row must verify, such as a dimension, tolerance, note, GD&T control, finish, material callout, or specification reference.Inspection ResultAn inspection result is the evidence value or acceptance statement entered on Form 3 to show how a characteristic was verified against its requirement.

FAQ

What does GD&T True Position mean in an AS9102 FAIR?

GD&T true position is a geometric control that defines the allowed location variation of a feature relative to specified datums and tolerance conditions. Confirm the datum reference frame, basic dimensions, tolerance zone, material condition, and inspection method before signing the row.

Source notes

This Articul glossary entry is based on the public AS9102 field matrix used in product validation and on the internal review patterns linked from the related guides. It is not a replacement for purchased AS9102 text, customer requirements, or purchase order flowdowns.

Changelog

July 3, 2026: Published the first GD&T True Position glossary entry with DefinedTerm, FAQPage, and BreadcrumbList schema plus links to related AS9102 guides and terms.

Keep the FAIR review tied to the print

Articul pre-fills Forms 1-3 from the print and routes anything uncertain to you, including drawing notes and title-block fields, while preserving source traceability for review.

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