# S6E22 Dean Odell | Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-05-30
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 22
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t

## Summary

Dean Odell, a mechanical engineering instructor at Hudson Valley Community College and popular YouTube educator, discusses the history, application, and teaching of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T). He explains how GD&T evolved from drafting notes to a standardized symbolic language to communicate design intent more clearly than text-based notes. Odell details his journey from welder to educator, his approach to teaching via whiteboard and video, and the importance of understanding inspection methods like Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) and height gages.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=0) Introduction and Dean's Background
- [3:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=236) The History and Evolution of GD&T
- [7:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=479) Dean's YouTube Channel and Teaching Philosophy
- [14:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=849) Common Misconceptions and University Education
- [15:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=949) CMM Technology and Inspection Training
- [19:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=1175) In-Person Training Methods and Whiteboard Approach
- [23:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=1437) Proposed GD&T Simplifications and Profile Tolerance
- [33:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-30-s6e22-dean-odell-geometric-dimensioning-tolerancing-gd-t#t=2010) Practical Inspection Tools: Height Gages and Granite Plates

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- General Motors (company)
- Zeiss (company)
- Coordinate Measuring Machine (tool)
- height gage (tool)
- granite plate (tool)
- Y14.5 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Scott Driscoll - Impacable Interdisciplinary Inventor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-02-05-an-interview-with-scott-driscoll-impacable-interdisciplinary-inventor) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Matt Berggren](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-12-16-an-interview-with-matt-berggren) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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