Genetic algorithms in statistical tolerancing

An important aspect in manufacturing design is the distribution of geometrical tolerances so that an assembly functions with given probability, while minimising the manufacturing cost. This requires a complex search over a multidimensional domain, much of which leads to infeasible solutions and which can have many local minima. As well, Monte-Carlo methods are often required to determine the probability that the assembly functions as designed. This paper describes a genetic algorithm for carrying out this search and successfully applies it to two specific mechanical designs, enabling comparisons of a new statistical tolerancing design method with existing methods. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.