Effects of Industrial Design and Engineering Design Interplay: An Empirical Study on Tolerance Management in the Automotive Industry

Abstract

Using a scenario from tolerance management in the automotive industry, interdisciplinary effects of industrial design and engineering design interplay have been studied. Interdisciplinary effects of the use of a visualisation tool, developed to enhance the interplay, were also investigated. The study was performed using a semi-structured interview technique. Inconsistency in the tolerance management approach, concerning activities and tools were revealed from the study. It was also indicated that the proposed method and tool could support certain aspects of the interplay.