A New Approach for Best Fit Assembly Based on the Behaviour of Components 2006-01-3174

Best fit assembly is now a widely spread assembly technique that consists in finding an optimal position of measured components in order to get an assembly that fits its tolerance specifications. The rigid body assumption does not apply for compliant assemblies that can be slightly deformed and for which the geometrical variations are cleared by the flexibility of components to be assembled. We are proposing a best assembly process that takes into account through simulation the flexibility of components. Thanks to this more realistic simulation, the best fit application scope can be enlarged and confidently applied. It leads to reduced fitting times for over-constrained parts or interchangeable items, like doors, during assembly integration and in service replacements.