Title: Statistical variation analysis of multi-station compliant assemblies based on sensitivity matrix

Authors: Salvatore Gerbino, Stanislao Patalano, Pasquale Franciosa

Addresses: SAVA Department, Engineering and Environmental Division, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, Italy. ' Department of Industrial Engineering Design and Management, University of Naples, Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80 80125 Naples, Italy. ' Department of Industrial Engineering Design and Management, University of Naples, Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80 80125 Naples, Italy

Abstract: A new method for tolerance/variation analysis of multi-station assemblies of compliant parts is presented. Based mainly on the |unit displacement| and |sensitivity matrix| method, it allows for the use of statistical variations in key points to predict the final shape variation of multi-station assemblies. |Linear contacts| between parts are included to avoid part-to-part intersections. The evaluation of what happens at the end of the assembly process enables users to analyse different assembly configurations in the early design phase. Implemented in the Matlab environment, it requires two linear FEA runs for each assembly station. Two case studies are presented and discussed.

Keywords: compliant parts; compliant assemblies; contact modelling; multi-station assemblies; tolerance analysis; statistical variations; FEA; finite element analysis; linear static analysis; variation analysis; sensitivity matrix; unit displacement; shape variation; assembly configurations; early design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2008.021881

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2008 Vol.33 No.1, pp.12 - 23

Published online: 08 Dec 2008 *

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