Automated fixture layout design for 3D workpieces

This paper presents a new approach to the problem of fixture layout design for 3D workpieces. The approach is based on a concept of optimum experiment design, and the problem is treated as an optimal aggregation to select optimal locators from an initial collection of a large number of fixel locations on the surfaces of the given workpiece and to achieve form-closure for the part. An interchange algorithm is described, in which the fixture locators are generated sequentially first and are further improved. The algorithm uses the D-optimality criterion to minimize the workpiece positioning error. An example of turbine airfoil is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach