Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

An elastically averaged alignment system comprising:

• a first component and a second component, each of the first and second components having substantially a same construction and comprising:
• a body;
• an inner wall formed in the body and defining an alignment aperture;
• and
• an alignment member comprising a pair of tabs extending from the body, wherein the alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the first component alignment member is inserted into the second component alignment aperture, the first component alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning and stacking the first component relative to the second component;
• wherein the system further comprises:
• a third component absent the pair of tabs of the alignment member, the third component comprising a body and an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, wherein when the second component alignment member is inserted into the third component alignment aperture, wherein the second component alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning and stacking the second and third components in a defined orientation.