Fundamentals of Tolerance Analysis

Speaker: Fred Schenkelberg

There are three approaches to set tolerance limits for design elements. Each has ramifications for the eventual manufacturability and reliability performance. Design for manufacturability and reliability hinge of getting design tolerances set correctly.

If you are interested in creating a reliable product, the work to do so starts well before the first prototype arrives. The design decisions that involve materials, components, manufacturing processes, and product performance all involve understanding the capabilities and variation associated with each element in the design.

It is the variability that undermines a wonderful design creating difficult to assembly and poor durability results. Understanding and addressing the range of variation that will occur within the final product permits the design team to optimize the design for performance along with manufacturability and reliability.

Let’s discuss the connection between tolerance analysis and reliability along with the three approaches to setting tolerances. A brief introduction to the basic approaches along with when to use which approach as you balance the needs of the design performance with available data.

The process of setting tolerances is important. Getting it right often only takes a bit of awareness and the proper application of some simple techniques.

This Accendo Reliability webinar originally broadcast on 14 May 2019.