Abstract
Abstract. This paper deals with the tolerance synthesis with the application for a typical Lock-or-Release (L/R) mechanism, used for Chinese Space Station Microgravity Platform (SSMP). The L/R mechanism is utilized to lock the SSMP maintaining space position during the launching stage, and to release the SSMP automatically during on-orbit stage. Manufacturing accuracy of L/R mechanism presents direct influence on its kinematic and dynamic behaviors. Tolerance synthesis can provide a reasonable assignment of tolerance, satisfying the critical assembly criteria while lowering manufacturing complexity. In this paper, based on the number-theory method (NTM), a Halton-set based Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is introduced in the accuracy model of the L/R mechanism, aiming at improving analytical precision and efficiency for tolerance synthesis. A design of experiment (DOE) based tolerance synthesis approach is proposed. With initial tolerance determined by capacity, sensitivities of different tolerance factors are generated through the first DOE stage, and then applied to determine feasible tolerance levels. The final tolerance assignments, like points scatted in high-dimensioned space with inherent uniformity, are then produced through uniform DOE in the second stage. Result shows that the majority of feasible tolerance assignments generated have more relaxed tolerance, which can facilitate the manufacturing process.
Highlights
As one of scientific exploration oriented carriers, the Chinese Space Station Microgravity Platform (SSMP) provides a higher level of controllable environment for samples and instruments and facilitates delicate manipulations in diverse new technology experiments, such as material sciences, microgravity fluid physics and biotechnology (Xie et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2014; Liu et al, 2006)
There are two problems to be addressed: (a) how the mechanism tolerance is assigned, so that manufacturing complexity is reduced without much loss in quality (Singh et al, 2009a; Chen and Ji, 2005; Chlebus and Wojciechowska, 2016; Jeang, 2001; Lyu et al, 2006; Rout and Mittal, 2006, 2007, 2008; Li et al, 2015); and (b) how the synthesis approach is devised so that process data can be promoted in precision and efficiency (Singh et al, 2009b; Huang, 2013)
Building on the above advances, this paper focuses on tolerance analysis and synthesis towards application in the L/R mechanism
Summary
As one of scientific exploration oriented carriers, the Chinese Space Station Microgravity Platform (SSMP) provides a higher level of controllable environment for samples and instruments and facilitates delicate manipulations in diverse new technology experiments, such as material sciences, microgravity fluid physics and biotechnology (Xie et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2014; Liu et al, 2006). Two auto L/R mechanisms are assembled into both sides of each scientific research experiment rack to lock the SSMP. J. Ding et al.: Design of experiment-based tolerance synthesis for a L/R mechanism of the CSSMP. Tolerance assignments for mechanical parts and assembly of a product play an important role in the accuracy performance of the product, since it is closely connected with components’ tolerance (Merlet, 2006; Hao and Kong, 2016; Hao and Merlet, 2005; Huang et al, 2016; Huang and Kong, 2010; Li et al, 2016). As one of the crucial tasks in a product life cycle, tolerance synthesis for mechanical parts and assembly of a product, which is generally regarded as tolerance design, is a typical iterative procedure. There are two problems to be addressed: (a) how the mechanism tolerance is assigned, so that manufacturing complexity is reduced without much loss in quality (Singh et al, 2009a; Chen and Ji, 2005; Chlebus and Wojciechowska, 2016; Jeang, 2001; Lyu et al, 2006; Rout and Mittal, 2006, 2007, 2008; Li et al, 2015); and (b) how the synthesis approach is devised so that process data can be promoted in precision and efficiency (Singh et al, 2009b; Huang, 2013)
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