Title: Tolerance sensitivity analysis in a variational design environment

Authors: Jian (John) Dong, Ying Shi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3139, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3139, USA

Abstract: This paper presents the use of variational geometry theory to calculate the tolerance sensitivities. Due to the lack of mathematical foundation, it has long been a difficult task to calculate how one design constraint variation will affect other constraints (tolerance sensitivity calculations). In the variational geometry-based design environment, design constraints are described with mathematical equations, and tolerances are considered as design constraint variations. Because of the solid mathematical foundation behind the variational geometry, both dimensional and geometric tolerances can be analytically studied, which provides a powerful tool for the variation reduction in vehicle design and manufacturing.

Keywords: CAD; tolerance sensitivity; tolerancing; variational design; variational geometry; computer-aided design; vehicle design; dimensional tolerances; geometric tolerances.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1997.062069

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1997 Vol.18 No.5, pp.474 - 486

Published online: 29 May 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article