To model joints with clearance for tolerance analysis

Mechanical products are usually made by assembling many parts. Among the different types of links, bolts are widely used to join the components of an assembly. In a bolting, a clearance exists among the bolt and the holes of the part to join. This clearance has to be modelled in order to define the possible movements agreed to the joined parts. To model a joint with clearance between two components is the aim of this work. This model takes part of a tolerance analysis model for rigid parts developed to overcome some limits of the literature's works. It allows the assembly design to choose the tolerances on the basis of their impact on the assembling of the components and on the functional requirements. It adopts the simplified hypothesis that each surface maintains its nominal shape, that is, the effects of the form deviations are neglected. The proposed model has been successfully applied to a case study, a belt drive.