Development of an automated fixture set-up system for inspection

This paper presents an automated fixture set-up for inspection. The system comprises a workplace with magazines, locators and a baseplate. An articulated robot, the SCORBOT-ER VII is used to automate the system. A C-program is developed and used to execute robot arm movements based on user input. The C-program also establishes locating postions for a rectangular workpiece and determines the set-up of the locating fixtures via points. The program is therefore a useful interface to other small-scale expert systems for fixture design and graphical simulators. The set-up of the fixtures can be performed for other complex shapes if locating points are known, and input into the robot controller using the C-program.