GEOMETRIC TOLERANCING IN MECHANICAL DESIGN USING FRACTAL-BASED PARAMETERS

The submacrogeometric (tolerance) variations of mechanical components have an important impact on product function. The problem of combining tolerance assignment in engineering design with tolerance control in manufacturing and quality assurance presents a continuing challenge to researchers. This paper illustrates the feasibility of using fractal- based methods for the problem of tolerance specification in engineerin g design. Error data are generated as a function of the fractal dimens ion using the fractional Brownian motion model and are superposed on a n ideal profile of a slider bearing. The consequent changes in perform ance parameters are studied and the detrimental effect of large variat ions perceived. This simple case study indicates the potential of the method to be extended for more complex problems.