Locating Scheme Analysis for Robust Assembly and Fixture Design

This paper highlights the importance of robust locating scheme design and proposes methods and tools for components and assembly robustness design and evaluation.

The way datums and locators affect the entire variation control process, from early design stages to inspection of the final product, is discussed, and a structured work plan for incorporating robust locating scheme design into embodiment design is proposed.

Methods and tools for locating scheme analysis are developed and presented Sensitivity analysis and variation analysis are exemplified and discussed using a small assembly case. A comparision of Monte Carlo simulation versus the “matrix method” is made for variation analysis.