Optimum Tolerance Allocation in Assembly

This paper presents a new approach to optimum tolerancing of components in an assembly such that all interaction requirements are met. The requirements may be for unilateral tolerance for control of clearance and interference or they may be for bilateral tolerance control. A model showing the relationship between components is constructed directly from the design. Using the model, coupled with a unique algorithm, a set of linear equations is formulated based on the design constraints and assembly requirements. The linear equations are then solved to determine the optimum tolerances of the assembly.