ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf
ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf
ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf
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primarily uses the bounding-box, point-in-polyhedra query, polyhedral proximity, and polyhedral<br />
and surface intersection algorithms for the reasoning purposes.<br />
• Size tolerance module: This module retrieves information from the function decomposition, process<br />
planning, and optimization modules in order to arrive at a set of size tolerance assignments on<br />
the surfaces of the part. This is done by transforming the PFM assignment on the part surface<br />
into equivalent design tolerance limits and determining the optimal size tolerance limits with<br />
regard to other constraints (such as manufacturing and quality considerations). The component<br />
function-functional tolerance limit knowledge base and the process-tolerance limit data base<br />
provide support to the size tolerance module.<br />
• Form tolerance module: This module works in a similar fashion to the size tolerance module. In<br />
this module, the form tolerance type (such as flatness, circularity, etc.), along with the form<br />
tolerance zone, is assigned for the different surfaces of the part. During the synthesis phase, the<br />
component function-functional tolerance limit and geometric entity-process error relationship<br />
knowledge bases, and the process-tolerance limit data base assist in the assignment of tolerances.<br />
• Process planning module: This module is used for creating the process model of the part using a<br />
blackboard architecture-based process planner. 15<br />
• Optimization module: In this module, the different optimization formulations that are encountered<br />
in tolerance synthesis are evaluated in order to assign the tolerances. This module offers an<br />
integrated platform for solving linear programming (LP) and nonlinear programming (NLP)<br />
optimization-related problems.<br />
• Datum specification module: This module takes as its input the information from the geometric<br />
reasoning module, the PFM model of the surfaces, and the process model of the part in order to<br />
assign a set of data for referencing different features in the part. The datum assignment algorithm<br />
is provided in Reference 16.<br />
• Position tolerance specification module: In this module, the position tolerances on the location of<br />
different features of the part are assigned on the basis of the component functions, the process<br />
model, and the inter-relationships between the location of different part features. The component<br />
function-functional tolerance limit and geometric entity-process error relationship knowledge bases<br />
along with the process-tolerance limit data base provide support to the position tolerance module.<br />
• Information aggregation module: In this module, the size, form, and position tolerances assigned<br />
to the part are retrieved for presentation in a useful manner to the user. In addition, this module<br />
assists in transformation of some of the tolerances into other types as required (e.g., some of the<br />
form tolerance assignments are transformed into orientation tolerances, depending on the specified<br />
functional and assembly requirements).<br />
Case Study: Tolerance Assignment for a Spindle Assembly<br />
A spindle assembly consisting of three parts (shaft, hub, and key) as shown in Figure 1.16 is used for demonstrating<br />
the working of TSS. In Table 1.10, the user-specified inputs to TSS are shown. The input consists of<br />
(a) part geometry specification, part location in assembly with respect to a global coordinate reference frame,<br />
location, and type of feature in the part, and size dimensions of the features, (b) surface finish specifications<br />
(Ra values) for the faces of the features, (c) part function specification denoting the functions performed by<br />
the part, and (d) assembly-graph of the spindle assembly. Next, TSS generates the geometric models of the three<br />
parts and instantiates the respective product models (Figure 1.15). With reference to Figures 1.15 and 1.16, face<br />
interactions involving surface contact take place among the following faces: (a) face 3 (F6-3) of feature F6 is<br />
pressed against face 3 (F3-3) of feature F3, (b) face 4 (F6-4) of feature F6 is pressed against face 4 (F5-4) of<br />
feature F5, (c) face 2 (F4-2) of feature F4 is pressed against face 2 (F2-2) of feature F2, (d) face 5 (F6-5) of feature<br />
F6 is pressed against face (F3-5) and face (F5-5), and (e) face 6 (F6-6) of feature F6 is pressed against face<br />
(F3-6) and face (F5-6). In accordance with the proposed tolerance synthesis schema, the PFM model for<br />
the individual faces of the three parts is generated for the specified part functions and assembly configuration.<br />
© 2001 by CRC Press LLC