An Improved Tolerance Analysis Method Based on Skin Model Shapes of Planar Parts

Geometric deviations have huge influences on the functional behavior of product, which should be analyzed and properly controlled. Tolerance analysis, as a way to evaluate geometric deviations, is an essential part of product development. Current Computer Aided Tolerancing systems provide solutions for tolerance analysis but have limitations in the consideration of form deviations. The Skin Model theory, as a new research topic, represents part with non-ideal model that comprises geometric deviations, thus developing into a new computer aided tolerancing approach. In. this paper, the related work with respect to the generation of Skin Model Shapes and its application in assembly simulation and tolerance analysis is briefly introduced. In order to overcome its shortcomings in the tolerance analysis employing SMSs, this paper proposes an improved method by taking advantage of the method adopted in a CAT system. The proposed method supports the analysis of position and orientation tolerances and has been proved to be valid through a case study. (C) 2016 The Authors, Published by Elsevier B.V.