Objective function of cost in optimal tolerance allocation

An objective function model is proposed for cost in optimizing and allocating tolerance with consideration of manufacturing conditions. With the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, a manufacturing difficulty coefficient is derived, which takes into account of several factors affecting the manufacturing cost, including the forming means of the blank, size, machining surface features, operator's skills and machinability of materials. The coefficient is then converted into a weight factor used in the inversed square model representing the relationship between the cost and tolerance, and, hence, an objective function for cost is established in optimizing and allocating tolerance. The higher is the manufacturing difficulty coefficient, the higher is the relative manufacturing cost and the higher is the weight factor of the tolerance allocation, which indicates the increase of the tolerance s effects on the total manufacturing cost and, therefore, a larger tolerance should be allocated. The computer-aided tolerance allocation utilizing this model makes it more convenient, accurate and practicable.