Automated modular fixture planning: Accuracy, clamping, and accessibility analyses

Automated fixture design has become a research focus in process planning and CAD/CAM integration. An automated fixture configuration design system has been developed where when fixturing surfaces and points are specified, modular fixture components can be automatically selected to generate fixture units and placed into position with satisfying assemble conditions. A geometric analysis has been conducted to determine the fixturing surfaces and points which provide feasible geometric constraints and assembly relationships with modular fixtures. This paper presents an analysis on fixturing accuracy, clamp planning, fixturing accessibility, and clamping stability. When a fixture planning is determined, the analysis results can be applied to verify the performance of the fixture design. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.