A systems approach to fixture planning and design

Within the last decade, the manufacturing research community has addressed many of the micro issues of automating the fixture design process using computers. Most of this research has concentrated on the geometric and kinematic factors that determine the configuration of a computer-aided fixture design (CAFXD) system. However, before the implementation of any of the researched micro issues can be accomplished, a systematic approach to fixture planning and design must be recognised that considers the macro issues (process planning and fixture design) of the complete design to manufacturing process. In order to improve the effectiveness and implementation of researched micro issues in fixture design, a generic model of the functional activities can provide an understanding of the process and information exchanged between process planning and fixture design. This paper presents such a generic IDEF working model that promotes the functional integration of these two functions — developed from a systems perspective.