Abstract
This paper addresses a major issue in fixture layout design:to evaluate the acceptable fixture designs based on several quality criteria and to select an optimal fixture appropriate with practical demands. The performance objectives considered are related to the fundamental requirements of kinematic localization and total fixturing (form-closure) and are defined as the workpiece localization accuracy and the norm and distribution of the locator contact forces. An efficient interchange algorithm is uaed in a multiple-criteria optimization process for different practical cases, leading to proper trade-off strategies for performing fixture synthesis.
I. INTRODUCTION
Proper fixture design is crucial to product quality in terms of precision and accuracy in part fabrication and assembly. Fixturing systems, usually consisting of clamps and locators, must be capable to assure certain quality performances, besides of positioning and holding the workpiece throughout all the machining operations. Although there are a few design guidelines such as 3-2-1 rule, automated systems for designing fixtures based on CAD models have been slow to evolve.
