Optimization on Fixture Design for Plate Shaped Workpiece in Terms of Flatness Error due to Cutting Heat in Finish Face Milling.

In this study, the plate shaped workpiece is constrained in a special method whereby it is supported at four selected points at the bottom surface. From experiments, it has been found that this special fixture configuration results in less amount of flatness error than that caused by side clamping mechanism. The flatness error is, however still dominantly influenced by the cutting heat. The objective of this research is to find an optimum method on fixture design for plate shaped workpieces, which can ensure that the machining flatness error is minimum as caused by the moving cutting heat source imposed by finish face milling cutter.