This research will be to carry out an analytical and experimental program to study a fractal-based representation of tolerances for discrete part manufacturing processes. A fractal- based representation does not replace the current view of tolerance control in engineering design and manufacturing. Instead, such a representation extends current tolerance synthesis and analysis practices by providing a means of determining the physical interaction of the product design and manufacturing process variables. A novel representation of the experimental data in terms of Karhunen-Loeve expansion will be developed as a means of studying the fractal or integral nature of shape profiles of the workpiece specimens. The experimental data and Karhunen-Loeve representation will also supply information for comparisons with analytical models of the manufacturing processes.
