Fixture Feasibility: Methods and Techniques for Fixture Planning

Abstract

Fixture planning is a complex activity restricted by the extreme diversity of workpieces and several environmental factors including machine tools, assembly tools, grasping devices, and cutting tools. This paper reviews methods and techniques for the geometry analysis of fixture feasibility in product development. Fixture synthesis methods including geometrical analysis and fixture assembly planning are surveyed. The implementation of CAD-based and Web-based fixture planning systems is discussed in respect to their reasoning methods, functionality, limits and potentials. A novel fixture planning system is proposed and further research activities are identified.

Keywords:

• computer-aided fixture planning
• fixture feasibility
• fixture assembly planning