Integration of Fixture Planning with Process Planning for Machining Processes

기계가공을 위한 공정계획에서의 고정계획의 통합화

This paper presents an automatic fixture planning system for machining processes of prismatic parts. A rationalized approach to integrate fixture planning with process planning is proposed and representation schemes for workpiece, part design information with features, machine tools, cutting tools and fixtures are developed. The proposed system implements two activities of fixture planning such as machining of reference surfaces and machining of features. For machining of reference surfaces, the machining sequence of reference surfaces is determined by using decision tables, which are drawn from relations of part dimension, degree of surface roughness, fixture type and its capacity, cutting tool's capacity and experienced planners' knowledge. For machining of features, a preferential machining orientation is selected for its feature which can be machined in more than one direction, and features with the same machining orientation are grouped, and the machining sequence of features is determined by interactive mode. A case study is performed to show the performance of the proposed system.