A functional tolerancing method, developed for analyzing tri-dimensional variations of mechanical assemblies and tested with many different types of mechanisms junctions, is presented in this paper. The authors begin the presentation of their approach with a survey of similar research, and continue by demonstrating how to apply their proposed method in modeling the contacts between parts.

The junctions studied in this paper are composed of planes and cylinders. The behavior of a junction is simulated using the Microsoft Excel solver utility, and the results obtained are validated using an experimental design structure. The major benefit of this approach is that it can be used to determine the relationship between the variation of a given functional requirement, as well as the geometric tolerances specified for the surfaces defining the contacts between parts, giving the displacement of each point to tolerance values.

Simulation results are presented and discussed in detail, using many tables and graphs. The mathematical background of this approach is clearly explained and documented.

This paper is research-oriented, and intended for engineers involved with research in tolerance analysis methods in mechanical assemblies, since knowledge of relative mathematical techniques and methods is necessary to understand the material. I believe, however, that it will also be very useful to mechanical design engineers who would like to obtain more practical knowledge of tolerances in mechanical assemblies. Overall, the paper is well organized and written.