Apparatus and method for allocating tolerances.

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for allocating tolerances. A total tolerance is specified (218) to be allocated among a plurality of variable tolerances each having an associated assembly feature. For each associated assembly feature, an associated first tolerance point is defined at which a further decrease in a stringency of the variable tolerance fails to significantly decrease a cost of achieving the variable tolerance. For each associated assembly feature, an associated second tolerance point is defined at which a further increase in the stringency begins to substantially increase the cost of achieving the variable tolerance. For each associated assembly feature, an associated third tolerance point is defined at which a further increase in the stringency is not substantially achievable. The total tolerance is allocated (for example: 232, 254, 266) among the variable tolerances, such that the variable tolerances substantially satisfy a first predetermined relationship relative to the total tolerance, and such that each variable tolerance substantially satisfies a second predetermined relationship relative to its associated tolerance points.