Statistical model for setting up a machining center to achieve geometric tolerances at maximum material requirement

The production adjustment on a machining center aims to manufacture parts that conform to their manufacturing specifications. To achieve this, the adjustment operation consists of determining a set of setting variables associated with a geometric model of the machine. The maximum material requirement proves very useful in guaranteeing the conformity of parts to intended functional requirements. This is the case, for example, for ensuring part assembly by linking the tolerances of dimensional and geometric specifications. However, setting up a machining center to achieve geometric tolerance with the maximum material requirement needs decoupling geometric tolerance from the associated dimensional tolerance(s). In particular, the dimension to be targeted by the feature of linear size must be determined with the performance of the production means from a dimensional and geometric point of view. Therefore, the article aims to develop a computation model for setting the target dimension to be machined, ensuring maximum production of parts conforming to a geometric specification at maximum material requirement. This model is based on the statistical distributions of the history of dimensional and geometric measurements taken on different parts produced by the production means under consideration. A case study is carried out to validate the proposed model.