Partitioning the production processes when assembling a bore and shaft

• Published in: International journal of production research Vol. 47; no. 10; pp. 2705 - 2720
• Main Author: Sweet, Arnold L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2009; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Approximation; assembly; design for assembly; Exact sciences and technology; Industrial metrology. Testing; inspection planning; Manufacturing; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Optimization; precision assembly; quality assurance; Studies; tolerance analysis; truncated probability density function; Lower bound; Probabilistic approach; Precision engineering; Tolerance analysis; Probability distribution; Specification; Quality assurance; Partitioning; Shaft; Probability density function; Truncated shape; design for assembly; Planning; precision assembly; Dimensional tolerance; inspection planning; truncated probability density function; Assembly; Production process
• ISSN: 0020-7543; 1366-588X
• DOI: 10.1080/00207540701666238

The problem of assembling of two mating parts is considered. Making use of the probability distributions of the bore and shaft, and the specifications on the fit between them, it is desired to define the dimensions of separate groups for the bore and for the shaft that these parts can be placed in, such that the specifications on the fit when parts in these groups are assembled will be met with certainty. This is accomplished by formulating an optimisation problem such that the number of such groups is made a minimum subject to a specified lower bound on the sum of the probabilities of a sample lying in each group, and introducing a method of generating approximate solutions. The method makes use of the 'solver' and 'chart wizard' functions that are contained in Microsoft Excel © . Using the dimensions of the groups, an expression for the expected number of assemblies generated by each group is presented.