Information models in an integrated fixture decision support tool

An important part of modern design and manufacture is to ensure that effective manufacturing decisions are made as early as possible in the product introduction process. The software tools which can support the broad decision making needs of engineers require further research. A potentially effective approach in this area is the use of information models, which can provide information support to a range of applications, in an integrated CAD/CAM environment. The key problem discussed is the structure of information models to support the interactions between fixture design, process planning and product design. A software support environment is described which consists of three key areas; product information, manufacturing capability information and a set of fixturing decision support applications. The issues related to the data structures required for product and manufacturing capability models are discussed and potential object-oriented solutions are proposed. A selected prismatic workpiece has been used, in conjunction with a variety of fixture types and machine tools, to illustrate the approach taken. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.