224 4.7.2 Compact design The most obvious possibility of sealing the structure of the mechatronic
module is the convergence of its parts, i.e. decrease the distance between parts.
This path is associated with a number of difficulties that arise as gaps
decrease. Even the determination of the values of the gaps between the approa-
ching parts with a complex configuration is laborious work. Immeasurably
greater difficulties arise in the manufacture of parts with rigid tolerances
and their assembly. It should not be forgotten that excessive reduction of the
gaps may, for a number of reasons, reduce the reliability of the structure (for
example, due to temperature deformations).
The more difficult the process of convergence of parts, the more often
the designer returns to the review of the technical assignment, trying to
rethink the requirements that caused such difficulties. This is especially true
for cases where any «narrow» space prevents significant compression of the
entire structure. The desire to «expand» such a «narrow» place contributes to
strengthening and deepening the reverse effects on the initial requirements.
Sometimes it becomes possible to implement such changes in the technical
requirements that lead to a significant improvement in the layout, without
adversely affecting the target functions and performance characteristics of the
mechatronic module.
Stepping process with a return. The methodology for selecting the require-
ments that are most important for the layout involves the need for some
adjustment of the initially assembled mechatronic module, i.e. return from the
subsequent stages, on which the remaining requirements are realized, to the
previous one. The choice of each step is made in such a way that the drawing
work, caused by the correction of the results, is reduced to a minimum. If the
dimensions of the mechatronic module on the final layout drawing decreased in
comparison with the dimensions stipulated in the sketch layout, this indicates
that the adjustment helped optimize the design solution by minimizing the size
criterion.
The concept of the layout of the mechatronic module as a stepping process
with a return is based, on the one hand, on the nature of loosely posed problems
that allow varying initial data in the course of the solution, on the other, on
the limitations of human capabilities with respect to the optimal constructive
realization of a set of interrelated variables.