Patent ID: 7477262
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: B65G,G05B

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for determining a minimum condition and a maximum condition of an assembly comprised of a plurality of parts, the method comprising: determining a subset of the plurality of parts, the subset comprised of members of the plurality of parts having a tolerance feature capable of affecting the minimum condition and the maximum condition of the assembly; constructing a tolerance chain comprised of a plurality of tolerance features, wherein: each tolerance feature has an association with one part in the subset of parts; and each tolerance feature has a tolerance that can assume a minimum value and a maximum value; setting the tolerance of at least one of the plurality of tolerance features to one of the minimum value and the maximum value; calculating at least one of the minimum condition and the maximum condition of the assembly based on the setting of the tolerance; specifying a direction vector to identify a direction of movement that produces the maximum condition and the minimum condition of the assembly; and selecting the tolerance to set based on a certainty that one of a position and a size of the art associated with the tolerance feature will change and cause movement in the direction of movement.