Sollprofile

Sollprofile is a term used in engineering to denote the intended, design, or nominal geometry of a part, system, or feature. The word combines soll (target or should) and profil (profile). In practice, the Sollprofile defines the geometry, dimensions, and tolerances that a component is expected to have after manufacturing or during operation.

In contrast to the Istprofil, which reflects the as-built or actual measured geometry, the Sollprofile serves as the reference for assessing production quality and conformity. The comparison yields deviations that inform quality control, process adjustments, and design revisions. The concept is central to tolerance analysis, metrology, and manufacturing planning.

Applications span several fields. In mechanical engineering and manufacturing, Sollprofile is used for part contours, cam profiles, gear tooth shapes, and machining paths. In sheet metal and extrusion, it ensures cross-sectional shapes meet specifications. In civil engineering and transportation, the geometric profile of alignments for roads or rails can be defined as a Sollprofil to guide design and verification.

Creation and management typically involve CAD and product lifecycle management systems, where the Sollprofile is defined as nominal geometry and linked to tolerances, datum references, and inspection plans. In metrology, measurement data are compared to the nominal profile to determine deviations and guide calibration or corrective actions.

Limitations include design changes, manufacturing constraints, and measurement uncertainty, which can necessitate updates to the Sollprofile. The term is common in German technical literature and in bilingual documentation, often translated as nominal or target profile. See also Istprofil, Toleranzen, Geometrische Dimensionen und Toleranzen (GD&T), CAD/CAM, Qualitätssicherung, and Messung.