An interactive tolerance system

ABSTRACT

The proper distribution of tolerances among the components of an assembly is necessary to ensure that the product would meet the desired design specifications at the lowest possible cost. Typically, designers have to manually determine the desired tolerances of a product to input into a CAD system. This paper describes an Interactive Tolerance System (ITS) designed to allow users to interactively select the appropriate class of fit and perform tolerance analysis for an assembly. The ITS is written in C programming Language for a micro-computer and can be interfaced with CAD software, such as AutoCAD and CADkey. With ITS, the productivity of designers is enhanced and design for manufacturability is easier to achieve.

REFERENCES

• 1: Wade, O.R. Tolerance Control in Design and Manufacturing, Industrial Press Inc., 1967.
• 2: Chase, K.W. and Greenwood, W.H., "Design Issues in Mechanical Tolerance Analysis'm, Manufacturing Review, Vo{. 1, No. 1, March 1988, pp. 50-59.
• 3: Ahluwalia, R.S. and Karolin, A.V., "CATC- A Computer Aided Control System", Journal of Manufacturing SLystems, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 153- 159.
• 4: Etgabry, A.K., " A Framework for a Solid-Based Tolerance analysis", ASME International Conference: Computers in Engineering, 1986, pp. 79-86.
• 5: Turner, J.U.; Wozny, M. J. and Hoh, D.D., "Tolerance Analysis in a Solid Modeling Environment" ASME International Conference: Computers in Engineering, 1987, pp. 169-175.
• 6: Yu, Y.C.; Liu, C. R. and Kashyap, R.L., "A Variational Solid Model for Mechanical Parts" ASME Winter m eetinng; Integrated and Intelligent manufacturing, Anaheim, California, 1986, pp. 237-245.
• 7: Farmer, L.E. and Gladman, C.A., "Tolerance Technology-Computer- Based Analysis", ANNAL of the CIRP, Vol.35, No.l, 1986
• 8: Emanue{, R., "Establishing Mechanical Tolerances with CAD/CAM" Computer-Aided Engineering, July 1985, Vo{. 6, No. 7, pp. 76-80.
• 9: Oong, Z. and $oom, A., "Automatic Tolerance Analysis from a CAD Database" ASME paper 86-DET-36
• 10: Ahmad, K. and MacdonaLd, A., "An Expert System on Tolerances in Mechanical Design (EX-TOLD)", ESD/SM! Expert Systems Conference and Exposition for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Proceedings, June 9-11, 1987, Dearborn, MI, pp. 309-326.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: C

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.1 Applications and Expert Systems
          Subjects: Industrial automation
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.6 Methodology and Techniques
          Subjects: Interaction techniques

  J. Computer Applications
  J.6 COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING
      Subjects: Computer-aided design (CAD)
  J.7 COMPUTERS IN OTHER SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Industrial control

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Languages