Assembly Analysis of Interference Fits in Elastic Materials

The objective of this work is to provide fast approximations of force/work/energy calculations for designers of assemblies in which interference is required. In this paper, the subjects of interest are assemblies in which there are several sets of features that can influence the final location of the parts, once assembled. The analysis includes a systematic approach in developing an analytical model involving basic laws of equilibrium and more advanced finite element based models to estimate the work required for assembly and the total strain energy in the components after assembly is complete. In this approach, an ideal press-fit type interference assembly is considered initially and solution methodology is developed. A non-symmetric hinge assembly with multiple interferences is analyzed later with the developed approach and the results are compared with the experimental observations. The suitability of the GapSpace assembly analysis method [1] for assemblies in which there is interference between the components is also investigated.