Expert fixture-design system for an automated manufacturing environment

Abstract In the bridging of CAD and CAM activities in flexible manufacturing systems, the development of an automated fixture-design system capable of handling various part geometries is a pertinent link. The paper discusses the design task relating to the development and implementation of an automated fixture-design system. An automated fixture-design system requires an intelligent feature recognizer, a sophisticated design system, a good knowledge-representation scheme, and sound interfacing of these modules. A CAD model is used as an input to the system. A feature recognizer is developed to recognize the machining features represented in the CAD model. A rule/object-based approach is used to group the machining features into appropriate fixture setups, and to recommend suitable clamping, locating and supporting points. The appropriate fixturing elements are then selected and assembly sequences are planned. Relevant fixturing constraints and the representation of the design knowledge in the system are also discussed.

[1]  H.J.J. Kals,et al.  Fixture Design with FIXES: the Automatic Selection of Positioning, Clamping and Support Features for Prismatic Parts , 1989 .

[2]  M. J. Wozny,et al.  Feature-Based Reasoning in Fixture Design , 1991 .

[3]  J. A. G. Knight,et al.  Holdex — Holding Device Expert System , 1986 .

[4]  F Giusti,et al.  Robotized Assembly of Modular Fixtures , 1991 .

[5]  Andrew Y. C. Nee,et al.  Applying AI in jigs and fixtures design , 1987 .

[6]  A. Y. C. Nee,et al.  Expert CAD Systems for Jigs and Fixtures , 1991 .

[7]  Warren R. DeVries,et al.  Locating Point Synthesis in Fixture Design , 1989 .

[8]  Warren R. DeVries,et al.  Optimization Methods Applied to Selecting Support Positions in Fixture Design , 1991 .

[9]  K F Gill,et al.  Knowledge Representation Database for the Development of a Fixture Design Expert System , 1988 .

[10]  Suksan Prombanpong.  An optimization approach to the integration of computer aided fixture design with macro process planning for three-dimensional prismatic workpieces manufactured on CNC machining centers / , 1990 .

[11]  Hyun-Myung Shin.  Rule-based systems approach to fixture design / , 1988 .

[12]  Bartholomew O. Nnaji,et al.  Rules for an expert fixturing system on a CAD screen using flexible fixtures , 1990, J. Intell. Manuf..

[13]  R G Hannam,et al.  Computer Aided Design Using a Knowledge Base Approach and its Application to the Design of Jigs and Fixtures , 1985 .

[14]  K. K. Wang,et al.  Computer-Aided Group Fixture Design , 1988 .

[15]  Duc Truong Pham,et al.  Autofix—an expert CAD system for jigs and fixtures , 1990 .

[16]  Kamal Youcef-Toumi,et al.  Automated setup and reconfiguration for modular fixturing , 1989 .

[17]  Andrew Y. C. Nee,et al.  A Framework for an Object/Rule-Based Automated Fixture Design System , 1991 .

[18]  Brian S. Thompson,et al.  Automated design of modular fixtures for flexible manufacturing systems , 1986 .

[19]  Brian S. Thompson,et al.  The computer-aided design of modular fixturing systems , 1987 .

[20]  Sanjay B. Joshi,et al.  CAD interface for automated process planning , 1987 .

[21]  C. R. Liu,et al.  AIFIX: AN EXPERT SYSTEM APPROACH TO FIXTURE DESIGN. , 1985 .

[22]  M. J. Nategh,et al.  A knowledge-based jig-and-fixture designers' assistant , 1989 .

[23]  Zsuzsanna Markusz,et al.  Fixture de-sign using prolog: An expert system , 1984 .

[24]  Bartholomew O. Nnaji,et al.  A framework for a rule-based expert fixturing system for face milling planar surfaces on a CAD system using flexible fixtures , 1988 .

[25]  Beno Benhabib,et al.  A reconfigurable fixturing system for robotic assembly , 1990 .