Global Consistency of Tolerances

This book contains selected contributions from the 6th CIRP International Seminar on Computer-Aided Tolerancing, which was held on 22-24 March, 1999, at the University of Twente, Enschede, in the Netherlands. This volume presents the theory and application of consistent tolerancing. Until recently CADCAM systems did not even address the issue of tolerances and focused purely on nominal geometry. Therefore, CAD data was only of limited use for the downstream processes. The latest generation of CADCAM systems incorporates functionality for tolerance specification. However, the lack of consistency in existing tolerancing standards and everyday tolerancing practice still lead to ill-defined products, excessive manufacturing costs and unexpected failures. Research and improvement of education in tolerancing are hot items today. It gives an overview of the latest developments in the field of computer-aided tolerancing, including such topics as tolerance specification; tolerance analysis; tolerance synthesis; tolerance representation; geometric product specification; functional product analysis; statistical tolerancing; education of tolerancing; computational metrology; tolerancing standards; and industrial applications and CAT systems. This book is suited to users of new generation CADCAM systems who want to use the available tolerancing possibilities properly. It can also be used as a starting point for research activities.