Variation Analysis in Collaborative Engineering; an Industrial Case Study of Rocket Motor Development

Abstract

Considerably less research is found on tolerance specifications compared to research on tolerance analysis and synthesis. Where tolerance analysis and synthesis often can be completely understood based on technical input we argue that an extended research approach is needed to understand tolerance specification complexity. We have aimed to understand the Research Question (RQ) "How does variation analysis support tolerance specification during collaborative Product Development (PD)"? For this case study of the Product Development Process (PDP) of a rocket motor within the defense industry we have used interviews, observations, participation and secondary sources during data gathering. We found that collaborative gathering of input for the simulation generates useful knowledge for the project at an early stage. Further, that swiftly and precisely done variation analysis generates output supporting frequent and cross functional communication on tolerances. We see the enabled fact based decision making as an important factor to PD success.

Tolerancing: Managing uncertainty from conceptual design to final product

“…Tolerances assigned to points on the same feature are often defined with a dependency. CAT tools such as RD&T, VSA, and 3DCS use this approach to support the product development process and bridge the gap between tolerancing and product development [97,102,185,271,275,276]. Fig.…”

Development of An Open-Source Computational Tool for the Generation of Deviated Point Clouds from Nominal Models

“…On the other hand, some commercial tools can provide good support for product and process development, allowing early prediction of the effects of dimensional and geometrical deviations on the assembled part [14]. For example, the EVOLVE software suite allows the designer to perform a "what-if" analysis of dimensional tolerances and hence improve the overall consistency of the tolerancing process [15,16], and the TECNOMATIX® software enables the user to identify dimensional issues early in the design cycle by using linear equations or the Monte Carlo method, which was used by Barbero et al [17] within a CAT-based methodology for the assessment of assembly tolerances, including a so-called dimensional hierarchization matrix and a tolerance optimization algorithm.…”