Design Issues in Mechanical Tolerance Analysis

Abstract

Tolerance analysis is a valuable tool for reducing manufacturing costs by improving producibility. Several useful methods of selecting design tolerances are presented with examples. The common and more advanced tolerance analysis methods are also reviewed and evaluated. A simple new tolerance analysis model suitable for designers is described as an alternative to the advanced methods. It is much more flexible than the common engineering methods. For example, it can mix statistical and worst case components in the same assembly. Also, it includes a critical manufacturing variable that is often overlooked: nominal shifts or biased distributions.