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A comprehensive decision support system is developed to design fixtures for machining centers. The CAD interface provided to the system enables it to exchange drawings and data with other commercial CAD software tools. A set of structured queries incorporated in the preprocessor prompts the designer to extract qualitative and quantitative part features. The database, rule base and knowledge base built into the design module assist the designer to select an appropriate fixture body, position on to it various fixture elements, calculate clamping forces, decide number and types of clamps with their locations and orientations, etc. The post processor, finally, generates the bill of material, part drawings and assembly drawing of the designed fixture. The software is implemented in a fixture manufacturing industry. It is observed that, the design lead time for fixture is reduced from a few days to a few hours with fractional efforts and expertise of the designer. |
