Fixture Clamping Force Optimisation and its Impact on Workpiece Location Accuracy

Workpiece motion arising from localised elastic deformation at fixture-workpiece contacts owing to clamping and machining forces is known to affect significantly the workpiece location accuracy and, hence, the final part quality. This effect can be minimised through fixture design optimisation. The clamping force is a critical design variable that can be optimised to reduce the workpiece motion. This paper presents a new method for determining the optimun clamping forces for a multiple clamp fixture subjected to quasu-static machining forces. The method uses elastic contact mechanics models to represent the fixture-workpiece contact and involves the formulation and solution of a multi-objective constrained oprimisation model. The impact of clamping force optimisation on workpiece location accuracy is analysed through examples involving a 3-2-1 type milling fixture.     

Development of a finite element analysis tool for fixture design integrity verification and optimisation

Machining fixtures are used to locate and constrain a workpiece during a machining operation. To ensure that the workpiece is manufactured according to specified dimensions and tolerances, it must be appropriately located and clamped. Minimising workpiece and fixture tooling deflections due to clamping and cutting forces in machining is critical to machining accuracy. An ideal fixture design maximises locating accuracy and workpiece stability, while minimising displacements.The purpose of this research is to develop a method for modelling workpiece boundary conditions and applied loads during a machining process, analyse modular fixture tool contact area deformation and optimise support locations, using finite element analysis (FEA). The workpiece boundary conditions are defined by locators and clamps. The locators are placed in a 3-2-1 fixture configuration, constraining all degrees of freedom of the workpiece and are modelled using linear spring-gap elements. The clamps are modelled as point loads. The workpiece is loaded to model cutting forces during drilling and milling machining operations. Fixture design integrity is verified. ANSYS parametric design language code is used to develop an algorithm to automatically optimise fixture support and clamp locations, and clamping forces, to minimise workpiece deformation, subsequently increasing machining accuracy. By implementing FEA in a computer-aided-fixture-design environment, unnecessary and uneconomical “trial and error” experimentation on the shop floor is eliminated.     

Machining fixture layout design using ant colony algorithm based continuous optimization method

In any machining fixture, the workpiece elastic deformation caused during machining influences the dimensional and form errors of the workpiece. Placing each locator and clamp in an optimal place can minimize the elastic deformation of the workpiece, which in turn minimizes the dimensional and form errors of the workpiece. Design of fixture configuration (layout) is a procedure to establish the workpiece–fixture contact through optimal positioning of clamping and locating elements. In this paper, an ant colony algorithm (ACA) based discrete and continuous optimization methods are applied for optimizing the machining fixture layout so that the workpiece elastic deformation is minimized. The finite element method (FEM) is used for determining the dynamic response of the workpiece caused due to machining and clamping forces. The dynamic response of the workpiece is simulated for all ACA runs. This paper proves that the ACA-based continuous fixture layout optimization method exhibits the better results than that of ACA-based discrete fixture layout optimization method.     

Analysis of Reactions and Minimum Clamping Force for Machining Fixtures with Large Contact Areas

This paper presents a model for analysing the reaction forces and moments for machining fixtures with large contact areas, e.g. a mechanical vice. Such fixtures transmit torsional loads in addition to normal and tangential loads and thus differ from fixtures using point or line contacts. The model is developed using a contact mechanics approach where the workpiece is assumed to be elastic in the contact region and the fixture element is treated as rigid. Closed-form contact compliance solutions for normal, tangential, and torsional loads are used to derive the elastic deformation model for each contact. A minimum energy principle is used to solve the multiple contact problem yielding unique predictions of the fixture–workpiece contact forces and moments due to clamping and machining forces. This model is then used to determine the minimum clamping force necessary to keep the workpiece in static equilibrium during machining. An example is given to demonstrate its effectiveness in analysing the clamping performance of a mechanical vice during machining.     

基于多重夹紧的工件-夹具间接触力的预测方法

在夹具设计过程中,工件-夹具之间的接触力是工件稳定性分析和加工精度估算的关键因素.为此,根据多重夹紧力对工件的作用过程,建立了接触力与多重夹紧力的大小、作用点以及夹紧顺序之间的接触力模型.基于总余能原理,提出了接触力模型的求解算法.最后通过典型实例,详细说明了接触力的分析预测过程.     

Design and optimization of machining fixture layout using ANN and DOE

In machining fixtures, minimizing workpiece deformation due to clamping and cutting forces is essential to maintain the machining accuracy. This can be achieved by selecting the optimal location of fixturing elements such as locators and clamps. Many researches in the past decades described more efficient algorithms for fixture layout optimization. In this paper, artificial neural networks (ANN)-based algorithm with design of experiments (DOE) is proposed to design an optimum fixture layout in order to reduce the maximum elastic deformation of the workpiece caused by the clamping and machining forces acting on the workpiece while machining. Finite element method (FEM) is used to find out the maximum deformation of the workpiece for various fixture layouts. ANN is used as an optimization tool to find the optimal location of the locators and clamps. To train the ANN, sufficient sets of input and output are fed to the ANN system. The input includes the position of the locators and clamps. The output includes the maximum deformation of the workpiece for the corresponding fixture layout under the machining condition. In the testing phase, the ANN results are compared with the FEM results. After the testing process, the trained ANN is used to predict the maximum deformation for the possible fixture layouts. DOE is introduced as another optimization tool to find the solution region for all design variables to minimum deformation of the work piece. The maximum deformations of all possible fixture layouts within the solution region are predicted by ANN. Finally, the layout which shows the minimum deformation is selected as optimal fixture layout.     

Optimal Fixture Design Accounting for the Effect of Workpiece Dynamics

This paper presents a fixture layout and clamping force optimal synthesis approach that accounts for workpiece dynamics during machining. The dynamic model is based on the Newton– Euler equations of motion, with each fixture–workpiece contact modelled as an elastic half-space subjected to distributed nor-mal and tangential loads. The fixture design objective in this paper is to minimise the maximum positional error at the machining point during machining. An iterative fixture layout and clamping force optimisation algorithm that yields the "best" improvement in the objective function value is presented. Simulation results show that the proposed optimis-ation approach produces significant improvement in the work-piece location accuracy. Additionally, the method is found to be insensitive to the initial fixture layout and clamping forces.     

接触变形对工件加工误差的影响

基于工件的准静态受力分析 ,运用经典Hertz接触理论 ,计算夹具 工件接触区的变形。根据多刚体运动学 ,建立表面加工误差和接触变形的关系 ,对加工误差进行预报。此方法也可用来计算定位基准误差对加工误差的影响。     

A Clamping Design Approach for Automated Fixture Design

In this paper, an innovative clamping design approach is described in the context of computer-aided fixture design activities. The clamping design approach involves identification of clamping surfaces and clamp points on a given workpiece. This approach can be applied in conjunction with a locator design approach to hold and support the workpiece during machining and to position the workpiece correctly with respect to the cutting tool. Detailed steps are given for automated clamp design. Geometric reasoning techniques are used to determine feasible clamp faces and positions. The required inputs include CAD model specifications, features identified onthe finished workpiece, locator points and elements.     

夹具定位误差分析自动建模方法

提出一般夹具的定位误差分析模型建立方法。根据工件—夹具系统的误差形成和传递路线分析,将工件—夹具系统分为定位元件、定位基准、工序基准和加工特征等四个要素组成,通过求解四个要素之间的位置变动获得工件—夹具系统整体的定位误差。将四个要素之间的位置及其变动关系用连杆机构模型等价表示,工件—夹具系统转换为接触副等价机构、公差关系等价机构、工序尺寸等价机构等三个等价机构的组合。研究工件和夹具定位元件接触副与等价机构之间的映射关系的建立方法,研究定位基准与工序基准、工序基准与加工特征之间的尺寸与公差关系所对应的等价连杆机构的建立方法,研究采用机构的结构参数和运动参数表示工件—夹具系统的所有工序信息及其内在联系的方法。利用机构学的机构位置计算方法求解定位误差,实现定位误差分析的自动化。     

薄壁弧形件装夹布局有限元优化

关于航空结构件加工变形控制的研究是高效数控加工研究的一部分。薄壁弧形零件加工中的弹性变形对加工质量影响很大,而装夹布局影响切削变形的大小和分布。以减少加工中工件最大弹性变形为目标,建立了弧形件铣削加工装夹布局的优化模型,采用商业有限元软件的设计优化模块进行计算。在对计算结果进一步分析的基础上,提出了最终的装夹布局方案,采用该方案可以得到整个加工过程中更低的变形量,变形分布更均匀,为采取相应数控补偿措施提供条件。优化方案和实际加工方案结果基本一致。所提出方法可推广至其他类型工件夹具布局优化设计。     

Error Compensation of Thin Plate-shape Part with Prebending Method in Face Milling

Low weight and good toughness thin plate parts are widely used in modern industry, but its flexibility seriously impacts the machinability. Plenty of studies focus on the influence of machine tool and cutting tool on the machining errors. However, few researches focus on compensating machining errors through the fixture. In order to improve the machining accuracy of thin plate-shape part in face milling, this paper presents a novel method for compensating the surface errors by prebending the workpiece during the milling process. First, a machining error prediction model using finite element method is formulated, which simplifies the contacts between the workpiece and fixture with spring constraints. Milling forces calculated by the micro-unit cutting force model are loaded on the error prediction model to predict the machining error. The error prediction results are substituted into the given formulas to obtain the prebending clamping forces and clamping positions. Consequently, the workpiece is prebent in terms of the calculated clamping forces and positions during the face milling operation to reduce the machining error. Finally, simulation and experimental tests are carried out to validate the correctness and efficiency of the proposed error compensation method. The experimental measured flatness results show that the flatness improves by approximately 30 percent through this error compensation method. The proposed method not only predicts the machining errors in face milling thin plate-shape parts but also reduces the machining errors by taking full advantage of the workpiece prebending caused by fixture, meanwhile, it provides a novel idea and theoretical basis for reducing milling errors and improving the milling accuracy.     

An Integrated Model of a Fixture-Workpiece System for Surface Quality Prediction

Surface quality is a major factor affecting the performance of a component. The machined surface quality is strongly influenced by the external loads during the fixturing and machining processes. In machining process development, it is highly desirable to predict the quality of a machined surface. For this purpose, an integrated finite element analysis (FEA) model of the entire fixture–workpiece system is developed to investigate the influence of clamping preload and machining force on the surface quality of the machined workpiece. The effects of fixture and machine table compliance (from experimental data), and the workpiece and its locators/clamps contact interaction, and forced vibration, on the machined surface quality are taken into account. This simulation model provides a better understanding of the causes of surface error and a more realistic prediction of the machined surface quality. The deck face of a V-type engine block subjected to fixture clamping and a face milling operation is given as an example. A comparison between the simulation result and experimental data shows a reasonable agreement.     

弱刚度工件夹紧顺序与夹具布局的同步优化

针对弱刚度工件在定位、夹紧过程中易变形的问题,建立了夹紧顺序与接触力及节点位移增量之间关系的数学模型,给出了各夹紧步骤中工件夹具系统的静力平衡方程;在此基础上,根据最小余能原理及库仑摩擦定律,构建了装夹方案优化模型,提出了基于遗传算法的夹具布局与夹紧顺序同步优化方法。算例结果表明,该方法有效降低了由于装夹所引起的工件变形。提高了加工精度。     

Computer-Aided Fixture Design Verification. Part 3. Stability Analysis

In fixture design, a workpiece is required to remain stable throughout the fixturing and machining processes in order to achieve safety and machining accuracy. This requirement is verified by a function of the computer-aided fixture design verification (CAFDV) system. This paper presents the methodologies of fixturing stability analysis in CAFDV. A kinetic fixture model is created to formulate the stability problem, and a fixture stiffness matrix (FSM) is derived to solve the problem. This approach not only verifies fixturing stability, but also finds the minimum clamping forces, fixture deformation, and fixture reaction forces. The clamping sequence can also be verified with this approach.     

Workpiece locating error prediction and compensation in fixtures

In machining process, fixture is used to keep the position and orientation of a workpiece with respect to machine tool frame. However, the workpiece always cannot be at its ideal position because of the setup error and geometric inaccuracy of the locators, clamping force, cutting force, and so on. It is necessary to predict and control the workpiece locating error which will result in machining error of parts. This paper presents a prediction model of a workpiece locating error caused by the setup error and geometric inaccuracy of locaters for the fixtures with one locating surface and two locating pins. Error parameters along 6 degrees of freedom can be calculated by the proposed model and then compensated by either using the “frame transformation” function of a numerical control (NC) system or modifying NC codes in post-processing. In addition, machining error caused by the workpiece locating error can be predicted based on a multi-body system and homogeneous transfer matrix. This is meaningful to fixture design and machining process planning. Finally, a cutting test has shown that the proposed method is practicable and effective.     

Modeling and compensation technology for the comprehensive errors of fixture system

Error modelling and compensating technology is an effective method to improve the processing precision.The position and orientation deviation of workpiece is caused by the fixing and manufacturing erro...     

Modeling and analysis of workpiece stability based on the linear programming method

After being located on a machine bed, a workpiece will be subject to gravity and cutting forces during the machining operation. In order to keep the locating precision as well as the production safety, it is necessary to maintain the workpiece stability. In this paper, a linear programming method is proposed for stability analysis of the workpiece. Based on the linear approximation of the friction cone, a quantitative criterion is established to verify the workpiece stability in association with the rationality of the clamping sequence, magnitude of clamping forces and clamping placement. This criterion allows designers to plan reasonably the clamping sequence, magnitude of clamping forces as well as clamping placement. Compared with existing methods, the main advantage of this approach lies in that the sophisticated computing of contact forces between fixture elements and the workpiece is avoided. In this work, both friction and frictionless cases can be easily taken into account in stability analysis. Mathematical formulations of the method are given and some numerical tests are finally demonstrated to validate the proposed method.     

The Application of Chip Removal and Frictional Contact Analysis for Workpiece–Fixture Layout Verification

In this paper, a workpiece–fixture layout verification approach with the application of frictional contact and chip removal effects using a finite-element technique, is presented. The objective of the proposed system is to overcome the deficiencies of existing fixture design approaches. Workpiece–fixture layout verification analysis is carried out for time varying machining forces to ensure that the workpiece will be held against the cutting and clamping forces. The chip removal effect and frictional contact between the workpiece and the fixture elements are taken into account using a material removal approach based on element death technique and nonlinear finite-element analysis. A case study illustrates the application of the proposed approach. ID="A1"Correspondance and offprint requests to: Professor F. ?ztürk, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mühendislik-Mimarlik Fakültesi, G?r¨kle Kampusu, Bursa 16059, Turkey. E-mail: ferruh@uladag.edu.tr     

IDEF0 Model of the Measurement Planning for a Workpiece Machined by a Machining Centre

A comprehensive analysis of the entire measuring operation for a workpiece machined by a machining centre should be conducted systematically before the application of a planning technique. For this purpose, an IDEF0 model is used in this paper to plan the measuring sequence and operation of a coordinate measuring system for a workpiece machined by a machining centre. Generally speaking, a machining centre can machine workpieces having complicated shapes. Therefore, the planning of measurement procedures and operations on a workpiece machined by a machine centre requires consideration of issues such as the position and measuring sequence of the measurement points, how to avoid probe collision during measuring, which fixture elements are required for measuring fixtures, and where the support points of fixtures and position of fixture locations should be.