Automated modular fixture planning based onlinkage mechanism theory1
IntroductionModular fixture is a kind of very promising flexible fixture devices in manufacturing
It is also used in assembly and verification processes
The use of modular fixture seems to be a trend in the manufacturing field as it can meet the desire for greater flexibility (i
it is able to deal with the workpieces with irregular shapes by combining modular fixture elements)
By using modular fixtures, the flexibility and rapid response capability of manufacturing systems can be improved
However, modular fixture planning is a very difficult problem, especially for the modular fixture with the dowel-pin system as the locators of such modular fixtures can only be inserted into the fixed doweled holes
That is why mo