Tolerance modelling and robust design for concurrent engineering

This article presents a tolerance modelling and robust design approach to support concurrent engineering. This method allows the designer to synthetically specify dimensional and geometric tolerance, considering assembly functional requirements (AFRs) and manufacturing costs. First, features of ISO/TC 213 are used as the basis for the construction of tolerance network and tolerance model for assembly. Second, the manufacturing cost-tolerance model for cylindrical and planar features is established. This model addresses not only dimensional tolerances but also geometric tolerances and nominal parameters. Finally, the robust tolerance optimization model is established, and genetic arithmetic is used to obtain robust tolerance values. The proposed approach is consistent with the philosophy of concurrent engineering, in which AFRs are satisfied and manufacturing cost is reduced. A design instance is introduced to show the validity of this method.