Structure configuration/connection impact and design gaps for compliant body assemblies
by B. Zhang, J. Ni
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 30, No. 3, 2002

Abstract: For compliant body assemblies such as automotive and aircraft bodies, design gaps are often given at certain areas in design to avoid interference or to offset potential mean-deviation stack-up. The location, the size and the necessity of design gaps for body assembly are usually based on engineers' experience or the outcomes of previous models. In this paper, the sources for mean deviations are discussed and the structure-induced mean deviation, due to the ''peak contact'' in parallel connection/contact among the components, is identified. It is discovered that the parallel contacts would result in ''mean shifting'' and the resulting variations ''shrinking''. To reduce or eliminate these mean deviations, it is to either consider the impact from product and assembly process design, or specify design gaps if they are necessary. Principle and estimations/calculations of the amounts of design gaps are developed. The study shows that the design gaps are highly related to the structure/connection, contact, assembly process and datum schemes. The work provides insights and practical ways for design engineers to better understand assembly processes and specify design gaps.

Online publication date: Fri, 15-Aug-2003

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com