Computer-Aided Fixture Design Verification. Part 1. The Framework and Modelling

Computer-aided fixture design (CAFD) techniques have been advanced rapidly so that fixture configurations can be generated automatically, for both modular fixtures and dedicated fixtures. Computer-aided fixture design verification (CAFDV) is the technique for verifying and improving existing fixture designs. In this paper, the framework of CAFDV is introduced based on two models, i.e., geometric and kinematic models. The fixturing tolerance and stability verification will be presented in separate papers.     

Machining Fixture Verification for Nonlinear Fixture Systems

This paper presents a fixture configuration verification methodology for nonlinear fixture systems, which is developed on the basis of optimal clamping forces and total restraint. This method can be applied for validating the feasibility of a fixture with point, line and area contacts in two stages: fixturing and machining. The "∞-∞-∞" principle for nonlinear fixture location is proposed. The automatic fixture verification system is modelled as a nonlinear optimisation problem with respect to minimum clamping forces. The method provides a simple and effective means for: (a) verifying whether a particular fixturing configuration is valid with respect to locating stability, deterministic workpiece location, clamping stability and total restraint and (b) determining minimum variable clamping forces over the entire machining time. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and the capabilities of the methodology. ID="A1"Correspondance and offprint requests to: Prof. D. R. Strong, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 5V6. E-mail: strong@ms.umanitoba.ca     

Computer-Aided Fixture Design Verification. Part 2. Tolerance Analysis

Tolerance analysis is the most important issue in computer-aided fixture design (CAFD), and it is an important part of computer-aided fixture design verification (CAFDV). This study presents a new approach for fixture tolerance analysis that is more generalised and can be used to assign locator tolerances based on machining surface tolerance requirements. The tolerance analysis is also generalised to handle any type of fixture design, workpiece, datum feature, and machining feature tolerance. Locator tolerance assignment distributes tolerances to locators based on a sensitivity analysis.     

Design and optimization of machining fixture layout using ANN and DOE

In machining fixtures, minimizing workpiece deformation due to clamping and cutting forces is essential to maintain the machining accuracy. This can be achieved by selecting the optimal location of fixturing elements such as locators and clamps. Many researches in the past decades described more efficient algorithms for fixture layout optimization. In this paper, artificial neural networks (ANN)-based algorithm with design of experiments (DOE) is proposed to design an optimum fixture layout in order to reduce the maximum elastic deformation of the workpiece caused by the clamping and machining forces acting on the workpiece while machining. Finite element method (FEM) is used to find out the maximum deformation of the workpiece for various fixture layouts. ANN is used as an optimization tool to find the optimal location of the locators and clamps. To train the ANN, sufficient sets of input and output are fed to the ANN system. The input includes the position of the locators and clamps. The output includes the maximum deformation of the workpiece for the corresponding fixture layout under the machining condition. In the testing phase, the ANN results are compared with the FEM results. After the testing process, the trained ANN is used to predict the maximum deformation for the possible fixture layouts. DOE is introduced as another optimization tool to find the solution region for all design variables to minimum deformation of the work piece. The maximum deformations of all possible fixture layouts within the solution region are predicted by ANN. Finally, the layout which shows the minimum deformation is selected as optimal fixture layout.     

A combined contact elasticity and finite element-based model for contact load and pressure distribution calculation in a frictional workpiece-fixture system

Contact forces between workpiece and fixture define fixture stability during clamping and influence workpiece accuracy during machining. In particular, forces acting in the contact region are important for understanding deformation of the workpiece at the contact region. This paper presents a model that combines contact elasticity with finite element methods to predict the contact load and pressure distribution at the contact region in a workpiece-fixture system. The objective is to determine how much clamp forces can be applied to generate adequate contact forces to keep the workpiece in position during machining. The model is able to predict the normal and tangential contact forces as well as the pressure distribution at each workpiece-fixture contact in the fixturing system. Model prediction is shown to be in good agreement with known industry practice on clamp force determination. The presented method has no limits on the types of materials that can be analyzed.     

Development of a finite element analysis tool for fixture design integrity verification and optimisation

Machining fixtures are used to locate and constrain a workpiece during a machining operation. To ensure that the workpiece is manufactured according to specified dimensions and tolerances, it must be appropriately located and clamped. Minimising workpiece and fixture tooling deflections due to clamping and cutting forces in machining is critical to machining accuracy. An ideal fixture design maximises locating accuracy and workpiece stability, while minimising displacements.The purpose of this research is to develop a method for modelling workpiece boundary conditions and applied loads during a machining process, analyse modular fixture tool contact area deformation and optimise support locations, using finite element analysis (FEA). The workpiece boundary conditions are defined by locators and clamps. The locators are placed in a 3-2-1 fixture configuration, constraining all degrees of freedom of the workpiece and are modelled using linear spring-gap elements. The clamps are modelled as point loads. The workpiece is loaded to model cutting forces during drilling and milling machining operations. Fixture design integrity is verified. ANSYS parametric design language code is used to develop an algorithm to automatically optimise fixture support and clamp locations, and clamping forces, to minimise workpiece deformation, subsequently increasing machining accuracy. By implementing FEA in a computer-aided-fixture-design environment, unnecessary and uneconomical “trial and error” experimentation on the shop floor is eliminated.     

Optimal Fixture Design Accounting for the Effect of Workpiece Dynamics

This paper presents a fixture layout and clamping force optimal synthesis approach that accounts for workpiece dynamics during machining. The dynamic model is based on the Newton– Euler equations of motion, with each fixture–workpiece contact modelled as an elastic half-space subjected to distributed nor-mal and tangential loads. The fixture design objective in this paper is to minimise the maximum positional error at the machining point during machining. An iterative fixture layout and clamping force optimisation algorithm that yields the "best" improvement in the objective function value is presented. Simulation results show that the proposed optimis-ation approach produces significant improvement in the work-piece location accuracy. Additionally, the method is found to be insensitive to the initial fixture layout and clamping forces.     

多目标的装夹方案优化及变夹紧力优化

夹具布局和夹紧力大小影响切削变形的大小和分布.基于遗传算法和有限元方法,提出一种夹具布局和夹紧力优化设计方法.该方法将同步优化夹具布局和夹紧力大小以及施加变夹紧力相结合,首先以加工变形最小化和变形分布最均匀为目标同步优化夹具布局和夹紧力大小,然后在优化后的夹具布局的基础上求解使得加工变形最小的变夹紧力大小.使用该方法进行底座薄壁零件的夹具优化设计,结果表明优化得到的设计优于经验设计和多目标优化方法,该方法有效地降低了加工过程中工件的变形,提高变形均匀度.     

FIX-DES: A computer-aided modular fixture configuration design system

This paper presents a computer-aided modular fixture configuration design system: FIX-DES. When fixturing requirements are specified as locating/clamping surfaces and points, a fixture configuration will be automatically generated by

1. Selecting fixture elements from a fixture element database to form fixture units based on fixture element assembly relationships.
2. Placing the fixture units and elements into position on a baseplate while the fixturing requirements and assembly relationships (e.g. hole alignments) are maintained.

The fixture element assembly relationships can be established automatically when the geometric models and fixturing functions of the fixture elements are specified so that the FIX-DES system can be applied easily to different fixture systems. The system also provides the interactive design and design modification functions for human expert involvement. The system was developed with core programs in C and C++ and interface programs in a specific CAD environment. The system has been successfully applied in industry and can be transferred easily to other CAD systems. The overall structure of the FIX-DES system is introduced in the paper. The development of the automated fixture configuration design (AFCD) functions are presented in detail. Finally a fixture configuration design example is given to illustrate the application of the system.     

Fixture Clamping Force Optimisation and its Impact on Workpiece Location Accuracy

Workpiece motion arising from localised elastic deformation at fixture-workpiece contacts owing to clamping and machining forces is known to affect significantly the workpiece location accuracy and, hence, the final part quality. This effect can be minimised through fixture design optimisation. The clamping force is a critical design variable that can be optimised to reduce the workpiece motion. This paper presents a new method for determining the optimun clamping forces for a multiple clamp fixture subjected to quasu-static machining forces. The method uses elastic contact mechanics models to represent the fixture-workpiece contact and involves the formulation and solution of a multi-objective constrained oprimisation model. The impact of clamping force optimisation on workpiece location accuracy is analysed through examples involving a 3-2-1 type milling fixture.     

基于多重夹紧的工件-夹具间接触力的预测方法

在夹具设计过程中,工件-夹具之间的接触力是工件稳定性分析和加工精度估算的关键因素.为此,根据多重夹紧力对工件的作用过程,建立了接触力与多重夹紧力的大小、作用点以及夹紧顺序之间的接触力模型.基于总余能原理,提出了接触力模型的求解算法.最后通过典型实例,详细说明了接触力的分析预测过程.     

A Fast Interference Checking Algorithm for Automated Fixture Design Verification

Fixtures are tooling devices used to locate, support and hold workpieces during a manufacturing process. The major purpose of a computer-aided fixture design (CAFD) system is to provide a fixture design based on fixturing principles and workpiece information. Interference checking between the machining tool and fixture units, as well as between fixture units, is one of the important functions of automated fixture design. This paper presents a fast interference checking algorithm for automated modular fixture design validation. It is based on the study of the geometric characteristics of modular fixture components and the machining tool. The fixture component model is simplified into a 2D contour model with height information. The tool-path model is represented by a moving dot for 3-axis operations, or a moving line segment in 5-axis operations, as the fixture component model is different from the popular collision detection procedure using swept volume and is more efficient for fixturing verification. Application of this method will greatly reduce the computation complexity for fixturing interference checking. The method is implemented with a CAFD system. An example is given at the end of the paper.     

Analysis of Reactions and Minimum Clamping Force for Machining Fixtures with Large Contact Areas

This paper presents a model for analysing the reaction forces and moments for machining fixtures with large contact areas, e.g. a mechanical vice. Such fixtures transmit torsional loads in addition to normal and tangential loads and thus differ from fixtures using point or line contacts. The model is developed using a contact mechanics approach where the workpiece is assumed to be elastic in the contact region and the fixture element is treated as rigid. Closed-form contact compliance solutions for normal, tangential, and torsional loads are used to derive the elastic deformation model for each contact. A minimum energy principle is used to solve the multiple contact problem yielding unique predictions of the fixture–workpiece contact forces and moments due to clamping and machining forces. This model is then used to determine the minimum clamping force necessary to keep the workpiece in static equilibrium during machining. An example is given to demonstrate its effectiveness in analysing the clamping performance of a mechanical vice during machining.     

薄壁件的装夹变形机理分析与控制技术

系统地提出一个分析与优选夹紧力大小、作用点以及夹紧顺序的通用方法.基于由摩擦力引起的接触力历史依赖性,定量地分析多重夹紧元件及其作用顺序对薄壁件变形的影响,并建立装夹方案的数学模型.同时提出基于最小总余能原理的有限元求解方法.另一方面,基于装夹方案的优化模型,提出装夹变形的控制技术以便获得最高的工件加工精度.以典型铝合金航空材料构件为例,模拟与分析夹紧力及夹紧顺序对其变形的影响过程.     

基于遗传算法的夹具布局和夹紧力同步优化

夹具设计是机械加工中一个重要步骤。夹具优化旨在得到最合理的夹具布局和夹紧力。为了弥补分步优化夹具布局和夹紧力以及应用传统优化算法而存在的不足,本文提出了应用遗传算法同步优化夹具布局和夹紧力的方法。使用该方法进行夹具优化的算例结果表明优化得到的设计优于经验设计,该方法是一种有效的夹具优化方法。     

表面形状为自由曲面零件的装夹设计研究

表面形状为自由曲面零件的夹具设计是机械制造领域中的一个难点问题。但是,该类夹具的设计尚未引起广大夹具设计人员的充分注意,成功的设计范例也为数不多,这一现实已不能满足日益增长的自由曲面零件加工制造的要求。本文结合８６３／ＣＩＭＳ关键技术攻关项目“面向并行工程的计算机辅助夹具设计”的实践并加以扩展,重点讨论了该类夹具设计领域的零件装夹这一难点问题,并根据确定性定位理论与曲面理论给出了自由曲面零件上定位点的选取算法与夹紧点选取策略。     

基于线性规划的工件稳定性建模及其应用

工件在实现定位后,在加工过程中将要受到工件重力和切削力等外力的作用。为使工件保持定位精度与生产安全性,必须保证工件在整个加工过程中具有稳定性。系统地讨论了工件稳定性建模及其求解方法,在摩擦锥线性近似以及变量非负转换的基础上,提出了工件稳定性的定量判断准则;利用线性规划方法对工件稳定性模型进行分析。结果表明,稳定性模型不仅能够验证工件的稳定性,而且还能够分析夹紧力大小、作用点以及夹紧顺序的合理性。这种方法既适用于夹具夹持稳定性分析,也适用于机械手的抓取稳定性分析。     

An Integrated Model of a Fixture-Workpiece System for Surface Quality Prediction

Surface quality is a major factor affecting the performance of a component. The machined surface quality is strongly influenced by the external loads during the fixturing and machining processes. In machining process development, it is highly desirable to predict the quality of a machined surface. For this purpose, an integrated finite element analysis (FEA) model of the entire fixture–workpiece system is developed to investigate the influence of clamping preload and machining force on the surface quality of the machined workpiece. The effects of fixture and machine table compliance (from experimental data), and the workpiece and its locators/clamps contact interaction, and forced vibration, on the machined surface quality are taken into account. This simulation model provides a better understanding of the causes of surface error and a more realistic prediction of the machined surface quality. The deck face of a V-type engine block subjected to fixture clamping and a face milling operation is given as an example. A comparison between the simulation result and experimental data shows a reasonable agreement.     

Modeling and analysis of workpiece stability based on the linear programming method

After being located on a machine bed, a workpiece will be subject to gravity and cutting forces during the machining operation. In order to keep the locating precision as well as the production safety, it is necessary to maintain the workpiece stability. In this paper, a linear programming method is proposed for stability analysis of the workpiece. Based on the linear approximation of the friction cone, a quantitative criterion is established to verify the workpiece stability in association with the rationality of the clamping sequence, magnitude of clamping forces and clamping placement. This criterion allows designers to plan reasonably the clamping sequence, magnitude of clamping forces as well as clamping placement. Compared with existing methods, the main advantage of this approach lies in that the sophisticated computing of contact forces between fixture elements and the workpiece is avoided. In this work, both friction and frictionless cases can be easily taken into account in stability analysis. Mathematical formulations of the method are given and some numerical tests are finally demonstrated to validate the proposed method.