ToleranceCalc FAQ

Question: What is ToleranceCalc?

ToleranceCalc is a powerful software wizard that helps users to perform quick and easy 1D and 2D linear and angular tolerance analysis of parts and assemblies at any stage of the product development process in AutoDesk Inventor and AutoCAD.

Question: How long does it take to learn to use ToleranceCalc?

Step-by-step tutorials are included that get users to learn to use ToleranceCalc in minutes.

Question: How does ToleranceCalc work?

ToleranceCalc incorporates a groundbreaking graphical calculation technology that eliminates tedious calculations from the tolerance analysis process. Here are the steps for performing tolerance analysis with ToleranceCalc:

1. Sketch the tolerance vector chain representing the tolerance propagation within a part or assembly using the CAD sketching tools by connecting points - the process is similar to connecting a set of dots. You can sketch the vector chain while in sketch, model, or drawing mode. Then with the vector chain selected as an active sketch you click on the ToleranceCalc command that is made available inside AutoDesk Inventor and AutoCAD when the plug-in is installed. ToleranceCalc launches automatically with the vector chain displayed in a graphic window ready to perform analysis.

2. You need to simply enter linear and angular tolerances to the contributors as applicable using the next and previous button with the vector highlighted in the graphic window to guide you and click a button to see the tolerance and sensitivity analysis results in just a few seconds.

Question: What are the key benefits of ToleranceCalc?

ToleranceCalc wizard is an "available anytime" assistant to users that enables them to perform informed mediation between product performance and manufacturing quality objectives at any stage of the product development process. ToleranceCalc assures strategic success that result from including tolerance considerations as an early and integral part of the overall design process.

Question: What will ToleranceCalc do for me?

ToleranceCalc will help you to avoid costly redesigns caused by arbitrary allocation of tolerances without analysis. Specifically, ToleranceCalc wizard will help you to:

• Perform automated Min/Max, Worst Case, and Statistical analysis of 1D and 2D tolerances.
• Perform automated Sensitivity Analysis of 1D and 2D tolerance contributors.
• Obtain sigma quality and reject rate analysis for any allocation of linear and angular tolerances.
• Validated the tolerances before allocating GD & T
• Export analysis results to Excel

Question: Who should use ToleranceCalc?

ToleranceCalc does not require any specialized knowledge of dimensional engineering and has a learning curve of minutes. Which means all engineers as well as designers using CAD can quickly benefit from ToleranceCalc to achieve the highest product quality and performance excellence.

Question: I use spreadsheets for tolerance analysis. How will ToleranceCalc help me?

Spreadsheet based solutions first require you to convert geometry data into numerical information that you enter in the spreadsheets - a tedious process subject to errors. Then you have to define and setup complex formulae to calculate tolerances, a process, which requires specialized knowledge of statistical analysis, trigonometry, and mathematics.

ToleranceCalc works directly on geometry saved in CAD. All statistical analysis calculations are already built-in. So you simply need to identify the tolerance vector chain using the sketch, model, or drawing geometry as overlay and then save the file in DXF format and load the DXF file in ToleranceCalc. ToleranceCalc does the rest for you to automatically deliver high value answers in seconds.

Question: What about maintenance and support?

Maintenance and web based support are included in the price.