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Optimal tolerance design of assembly for minimum quality loss and manufacturing cost using metaheuristic algorithms

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Abstract

Tolerance allocation is a design tool for reducing overall cost of manufacturing while meeting target levels for quality. An important consideration in product design is the assignment of design and manufacturing tolerances to individual component dimensions so that the product can be produced economically and functions properly. The allocation of tolerances among the components of a mechanical assembly can significantly affect the resulting manufacturing costs. In this work, the tolerance allocation problem is formulated as a non-linear integer model by considering both the manufacturing cost of each component by alternate processes and the quality loss of assemblies so as to minimise the manufacturing cost. Metaheuristics techniques such as genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimisation are used to solve the model and obtain the global optimal solution for tolerance design. An example for illustrating the optimisation model and the solution procedure is provided. Results are compared with conventional technique and the performances are analysed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Engineering, Krishnankoil, 626190, Tamilnadu, India

    P. Muthu

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, 625015, Tamilnadu, India

    V. Dhanalakshmi

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, 620015, Tamilnadu, India

    K. Sankaranarayanasamy

Authors
  1. P. Muthu
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  2. V. Dhanalakshmi
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  3. K. Sankaranarayanasamy
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Correspondence to P. Muthu.

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Muthu, P., Dhanalakshmi, V. & Sankaranarayanasamy, K. Optimal tolerance design of assembly for minimum quality loss and manufacturing cost using metaheuristic algorithms. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 44, 1154–1164 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-009-1930-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-009-1930-1

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