The optimization of the position and the magnitude of the clamping forces in machining fixtures

Abstract

This paper presents a method which allows the optimization of the position and magnitude of the clamping forces for a specific case of processing: milling of a canal in a prismatic workpiece, using a multi-objective method, implemented with ANSYS software. The design variables are location dimensions of clamping elements, whose range of variation is determined by constructive and dimensional considerations of the workpiece-fixture assembly and the magnitude of the clamping forces. The objective functions of optimization are to minimize the maximum total displacement of the selected edge and to minimize the maximum equivalent stress in workpiece. The constraint is the magnitude of the contact forces between locators and the piece’s surfaces to be greater than zero. Values of the design variables which meet the objective functions were obtained after the simulation was performed.