It is important to conduct error analysis of assemblies in order to ensure that the manufactured parts satisfy the design specifications. Traditionally, mechanical tolerances and clearances are modeled as random variables and the analysis is conducted using probabilistic methods. In this work, a new approach, based on interval analysis, is presented for the modeling and analysis of tolerances and clearances. The basic procedure of interval analysis involving solution of simultaneous nonlinear equations is described. The application of the approach in the fuzzy error analysis of planar and spatial mechanisms is also outlined. The treatment of the tolerances and clearances of the mechanism as interval numbers leads to a better and a more realistic estimation of the analysis results. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the computational procedures. The results of the interval analysis, although philosophically different, are compared with those given by the probabilistic method for comparable input data; the differences found in the two sets of results are explained in terms of the basic characteristics of the two methods. This work denotes the first application of interval methods for the modeling of tolerances and clearances and the fuzzy error analysis of mechanisms.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
July 2004
Technical Papers
Interval Approach for the Modeling of Tolerances and Clearances in Mechanism Analysis
Weidong Wu, Graduate Teaching Assistant,
Weidong Wu, Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33124
Search for other works by this author on:
S. S. Rao, Professor and Chairman
S. S. Rao, Professor and Chairman
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33124
Search for other works by this author on:
Weidong Wu, Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33124
S. S. Rao, Professor and Chairman
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33124
Contributed by the Mechanisms and Robotics Committee for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received August 2003; revised November 2003. Associate Editor: C. Mavroidis.
J. Mech. Des. Jul 2004, 126(4): 581-592 (12 pages)
Published Online: August 12, 2004
Article history
Received:
August 1, 2003
Revised:
November 1, 2003
Online:
August 12, 2004
Citation
Wu, W., and Rao, S. S. (August 12, 2004). "Interval Approach for the Modeling of Tolerances and Clearances in Mechanism Analysis ." ASME. J. Mech. Des. July 2004; 126(4): 581–592. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1760775
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
DeepJEB: 3D Deep Learning-Based Synthetic Jet Engine Bracket Dataset
J. Mech. Des (April 2025)
Design and Justice: A Scoping Review in Engineering Design
J. Mech. Des (May 2025)
Related Articles
Accuracy Analysis of Parallel Manipulators With Joint Clearance
J. Mech. Des (January,2009)
A New Wire-Driven Three Degree-of-Freedom Parallel Manipulator
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng (August,2006)
Modeling the Performance of Flattened Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (February,2005)
Error Analysis with Applications in Engineering
Appl. Mech. Rev (January,2002)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
The Solutions for the Equations with Localized Consistent Blow-Up Rate
International Conference on Computer Technology and Development, 3rd (ICCTD 2011)
Some Laws to Affect the Results in Numerical Calculus
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering, 4th (ICACTE 2011)
Application of the Ergodic Algorithm for Solving Nonlinear Equations and Tridiagonal Linear Equations
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Technology (ICMET-London 2011)