A reconfigurable modular fixturing system for thin-walled flexible objects

This paper presents a novel reconfigurable modular system for the fixturing of thin-walled, flexible objects subject to a discrete number of point forces. The paper comprises two parts: description of the conceptual design of our new reconfigurable fixture, and a brief review of our earlier work on the optimal reconfiguration of the object-support locations.During the mechanical design phase of the fixture, a conscientious effort was made to develop a robust and low-cost system. The primary components of the fixture are: a baseplate, support locators and clamps. A novel tiltable support-surface design, through which the height of the surface can be maintained constant, is used for the locators and the clamps. A fixture reconfiguration method is proposed to place these locators, underneath the object, as an optimal support wall. Potential surface deflections due to external forces are minimised during the optimisation process.