Abstract
Reference Free Part Encapsulation (RFPE) is an automatic, universal workholding process developed by the researchers at MIT and Berkeley. In RFPE, a block of filler material encapsulates the workpiece and provides a fixturing surface, and after each machining operation, the filler block is re-filled with material to restore it to a perfect block. This paper shall describe the machines developed to test and demonstrate the theories and practices described by Reference Free Part Encapsulation. This paper will show the similarities of the encapsulation process to such manufacturing processes as die casting and injection molding. However, it shall also show that many intrinsic differences exist between the encapsulation process and an injection molding or die casting process. Two encapsulation machines will be presented. The first is a larger encapsulation machine capable of forming encapsulations with a 6″ by 6″ footprint. The second, a much smaller portable machine, capable of forming encapsulations with a 2″ by 2″ footprint, will also be presented. Special features of each encapsulation machine shall be highlighted and various design decisions shall be discussed.
