Assembly Adjustments

a series of operations performed during the assembly of machines or their parts (subassemblies) to compensate for errors in the relative displacement of surface elements or errors in sizes and forms; these errors occur as a result of manufacturing or preassembly and affect the quality of the work or the appearance of a machine. Assembly adjustments are made directly during assembly or sometimes separately (often in another location or at another division) by means of special parts (adjusters) or by structural features of the parts.

Assembly adjustments include sorting of components in groups according to size or form, matching of components, adjustment of the position of components, and individual adjustments, which involve various treatments to give the components the required dimensions and form. Each operation is performed separately or in various combinations, depending on the nature, organization, and technical capabilities of the manufacturing process. Assembly adjustments are not made in manufacturing where there is complete interchangeability of components and subassemblies.