A new approach to first tolerance evaluations in the conceptual design stage based on tolerance graphs

Abstract Tolerancing is commonly performed in late design stages, in which the product geometry is fully defined. However, this often leads to high manufacturing costs or expensive design changes. Therefore, motivated by the idea of frontloading, a new approach for first tolerance evaluations in conceptual design stages is developed, which enables a first tolerance specification and analysis based on the few geometry data available. Together with semantic information of the interface notations of adjacent parts, graphs including relevant geometry elements and tolerance information are generated. These graphs support designers with a first assessment of tolerance situations before the geometry is finally defined.