Evaluation of geometric tolerances using strain energy density

Journal article, 2023

Traditionally, the geometric quality of assembled products has been evaluated by deviation from nominal values. However, the increased use mixed materials in especially automotive industry, in combination with an increased use of non-rigid simulation, open up for other evaluation criteria to complement the traditionally used deviation. The stiffness of a part or subassembly will, in combination with its deviation from nominal, give rise to different amounts of energy needed to join it to other parts. In this paper, the energy needed for joining is suggested as an evaluation criterion, complementary to geometric deviation, to judge the severity of the deviation.