On optimal tolerancing in computer-aided design

A geometric approach to the computation of precise or well approximated tolerance zones for CAD constructions is given. We continue a previous study of linear constructions and freeform curve and surface schemes under the assumption of convex tolerance regions for points. The computation of the boundaries of the tolerance zones for curves/surfaces is discussed. We also study congruence transformations in the presence of errors and families of circles arising in metric constructions under the assumption of tolerances in the input. The classical cyclographic mapping as well as ideas from convexity and classical differential geometry appear as central geometric tools.