Cost-competent tolerancing in CAD.

This paper presents a methodology for the automatic establishment and processing of machine shop and application-specific cost-tolerance functions for the cost-optimum allocation of tolerances in dimensional chains. It can be readily integrated into a CAD environment and overcomes inefficiencies of existing systems. The concept of tolerance element (TE) is introduced that is a generic and machining process related geometric entity with attributes clearly identifiable in conformance with the existing industrial understanding. The system database module, based on a database feedback form filled by the machine shop, once created needs updating only when changes occur in machines, facilities and/or the machine shop expertise. An application example demonstrates the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]