Rapid Reconfiguration and Part Repositioning With an Intelligent Fixturing System

This paper presents two methodologies for rapid self-reconfiguration and precise part location for an intelligent fixturing system. After introducing the proposed fixture design consisting of movable actuators and integrated sensors, the methodology for the automated reconfiguration of the system is presented. This is an object-oriented approach ensuring that the fixture can work with various setups without the need of altering the control software. Finally, a part repositioning methodology is described that takes part geometrical errors into consideration.