Evaluating the effect of tolerances on the functional requirements of assemblies

¹ LGM, ENIM, University of Monastir, Av. Ibn Eljazzar, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia
² LIPPS, ÉTS, 1100 Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, H3C1K3 Québec, Canada

^a Corresponding author: Borhen.Louhichi@etsmtl.ca

Received: 12 July 2012
Accepted: 26 March 2013

Abstract

In order to improve digital mock-up, a tolerancing phase should be integrated in the geometric models. However, in CAD software, tolerances are represented by annotations, which are neglected as well as the tolerance impact. Thus, the system malfunction is generated. For these reasons, in this paper a tolerancing phase is integrated in the numerical model to form a realistic model, where worst case configurations of assemblies are determined from the tolerances assigned to the nominal model. The proposed model incorporates tolerances on CAD models in the case of planar face, cylindrical face and planar face with non quadratic loop. In addition, the model ability to respect the maximum material condition (MMC) and the requirement of datum priority order in the CAD models is shown. Finally, functional requirement of a linear guide mechanism is inspected by using the proposed model.