Fixturing strategies and geometric queries in set-up planning

Abstract

In recent years the integration between computer-based design and manufacture has received significant research effort as it has major potential to improve industrial performance. Automation of process planning in particular has been accepted as a key link and is essential if integrated systems are to offer the potential advantages of concurrency in the future. One aspect of planning which has received little attention is fixturing and its influence on set-up planning. This paper describes a method of integrating fixturing strategies with technological and geometric information, within a product modelling environment, to automate set-up planning for machining. The method uses machine capability representations and product model analysis techniques to generate set-up plans. The software implementation concentrates on the machining of two and half dimensional prismatic parts from solid stock on a three-axis vertical machining centre.