Abstract
A modular fixture system is a flexible alternative to a dedicated fixture. In this paper, an automatic modular fixture design system is suggested for creating prismatic parts. The system contains fixture planning, fixture modelling, and fixture assembly. The part geometrical database and process plans are considered as inputs to the system. A rule- based method is applied to assign the feasible locating scheme and the locating and clamping datum. The search strategy is designed to determine the most suitable locating and clamping points. The final fixture assembly is made with the standard fixture components using the CATVBA Editor inside CATIAV5. The proposed methodology is successfully validated with a case study.
Highlights
Fixtures, which are important in both traditional manufacturing and modern flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), directly affect the machining quality, productivity, and cost of products
The fixture planning output for the locating scheme and the locating and clamping faces is presented in Table 3 for each setup
The correct locating scheme and locating and clamping datum for the specific setup of the part was established by developing the suitable rules, based on the process/setup plan data and part geometrical database
Summary
Fixtures, which are important in both traditional manufacturing and modern flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), directly affect the machining quality, productivity, and cost of products. The manual fixture design requires the consideration of a number of factors such as the primary requirements of the design, meeting specific demands, the use of automated and semi-automated clamping devices, and safe operation. The application of these fundamental principles to an individual fixture design depends primarily on the designer’s experience. A fixture is a device for locating, holding, and supporting a work-piece during a manufacturing operation. Modular fixturing systems use a group of individual components, which are assembled on a base plate, to fit the work-piece that requires fixturing.
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