Design and Analysis of Both Dimensional and Geometric Tolerances in a Variational Geometry-Based Design Environment

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes an ongoing research on developing an analytical approach to optimal allocation of both dimensional and geometric tolerances. Current researches and industrial practices only focus on dimensional tolerances allocations, and geometric tolerances are not considered. Four major issues are discussed in this paper, they are: (1) analyzing constraint variations and tolerance sensitivity in a variational geometry-based design environment, (2) establishing an optimization model for allocating both geometric and dimensional tolerances, (3) identifying the geometric and manufacturing relationships between dimensional and geometric tolerances, (4) solving the optimization model and comparing the results. As an example, the optimal allocation of both dimensional and geometric tolerances for a precision slideway is presented.