A combinatorial optimization approach for geometric tolerance design considering various taxonomies

Abstract

Design engineers play a vital role in conceptualizing and designing an assembly. The assembly is then disintegrated into several subassemblies and geometric tolerance symbols and values are allocated. Often, the allocated symbols and values are not realistic and conflict occurs as a result of improper assembly function, difficulty in manufacturing, and increased time and production costs. This article proposes a new design methodology. First, the functional behaviour of the assembly is predicted through finite element analysis, and the deformed geometry is expressed as a geometric tolerance zone constraint. Then, the functional assembly requirement is mathematically defined as a fit constraint. Simultaneously, rotational and planar machining constraints are developed. Finally, a combinatorial optimization problem is formulated to minimize the manufacturing cost. For optimal trade-offs, the bacterial foraging algorithm is applied to solve the combinatorial optimization problem; when it is applied to a mounted disc brake assembly, promising results are obtained.

KEYWORDS:

• Bacterial foraging optimization algorithm
• combinatorial optimization
• finite element analysis
• geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.