Model-based definition in computer aided tolerance analyses

Abstract

Recent advancements in means of data collection and utilization have stepped forward to the realization of model-based definition (MBD) approaches in product and production development processes. This realization is further facilitated by the presentation of open standards for modelbased definition including STEP AP 242 and QIF 3.0. As a result, engineers are empowered with a significant amount of data to improve the development processes, particularly the tolerancing and metrology processes. This paper briefly reviews the tolerancing methods and MBD open standards. Subsequently, integration of MBD, particularly QIF 3.0 and STEP AP 242, into computer-aided tolerancing (CAT) methods including the opportunities and challenges in this regard are discussed. The main breakthrough in these standards is the semantic representation of tolerancing data in the models. However, the existing methods of modeling and analyzing tolerance information are diverse and not all these methods can utilize the new standards in the same manner. The potential usages of the new standards in different tolerance modeling techniques are reviewed. Furthermore, the research gaps and wishes for further improvements in the tolerance analysis era through model-based definition are discussed.