Anisotropy Oriented Tolerance Analysis of Composite Assembly With T-Maps Method

Anisotropy is an outstanding characteristic of the composite parts, and should be considered during the course of the tolerance analysis. The paper presents a tolerance analysis method for composite elevator assembly using T-Maps method, mainly concerning the variations originated from the anisotropy of the composite materials. The composite elevator is composed of the forward spar, the skin panels, and the ribs. Variations of the composite forward spar and the composite panels in different directions are represented by the T-Maps. Mating clearances of the composite spar and the metallic joints are mapped to the hypothetical Euclidean space. Since the different axial deviations are represented in the same Euclidean point-space, anisotropy oriented tolerance analysis of the composite parts assembly could be conducted with more accurate results. This procedure is found to be effective for anisotropy oriented tolerance analysis. The assembly of the composite elevator is investigated intensively by the proposed method. The procedures outlined in the paper are quite general and can be used for tolerance analysis of any anisotropic parts assembly process.