Abstract
Fixtures, are used to fixate, position and support workpieces, and form a crucial tool in manufacturing. Their performance influences the manufacturing (and assembly) process of a product. Furthermore, fixturing can form a significant portion of the needed investment and total process planning time for the manufacturing system. Many fixturing concepts, as contribution to increase the flexibility of the manufacturing system, are reported in the literature. The flexible fixturing designs can be classified into the following seven categories: modular fixtures, flexible pallet systems, sensor-based fixture design, phase-change based concepts, chuck-based concepts, pin-type array fixtures and automatically reconfigurable fixtures. It is observed that the more intelligent and automated fixturing systems are designed with the demands for automation in certain industries in mind. Furthermore, different fixturing solutions suit the engineering demands for different manufacturing areas, this means that for the foreseeable future all technologies will remain current. From the self-reconfigurable fixturing techniques a new fixturing capability is emerging: in process reconfigurability for the optimal placement of clamps and supports during the whole process time. These several concepts together with some recent patents are studied here. The paper concludes with some prospective research directions in the field of flexible fixturing.
Highlights
The advent of computer numerically-controlled (CNC) machine tools and machining centres, in combination with the infiltration of information technologies and the advance of computer science in manufacturing environments, have triggered a paradigm shift from mass manufacturing to mass customisation
Special attention deserves here the ‘Automated Reconfigurable Machining Fixture’ (ARMF) concept developed at the General Motors Research & Development Center
In order to overcome the lack of positional accuracy of a robot, the fixture elements are placed on the base-plate by the CNC machine tool spindle with the aid of specially designed adapters
Summary
The advent of computer numerically-controlled (CNC) machine tools and machining centres, in combination with the infiltration of information technologies and the advance of computer science in manufacturing environments, have triggered a paradigm shift from mass manufacturing to mass customisation. Machine flexibility, the ease of making changes required to produce a given set of part types. Process flexibility, the ability to produce a given set of part types, possibly using different materials, in different ways. Routing flexibility, the ability to handle breakdowns and to continue producing a given set of part types. As a result of the above, research and development activities in the manufacturing sector have focused on investigating and developing technologies and equipment that constantly push the boundaries of flexibility and cycle times, whilst minimising production costs without the loss of quality of the end result.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
