Design of clamping system for workpiece with freeform geometry

Jig and fixture design for workpieces with freeform geometry has more complexity in comparison with the polyhedral parts. The locating and clamping system design construct the basis of the jig and fixture design activities. In this study, a theoretical analysis is suggested for automatic design of clamping points for freeform workpieces. The clamping design is performed in three main stages which the clamping application points are determined through the first two principles and being verified through the last stage. The mentioned principles consist of: (1) the minimum quantity of clamps, (2) the maximum clamping force components on the locating directions and (3) the workpiece static stability under the external wrenches. After mathematical modeling, the suggested analysis was implemented into the already designed CAFD framework by the authors. Three machining models were chosen as case studies to evaluate the capabilities of the implemented system in robust design of clamping layout. The minimum quantity of clamps (single clamp for two case studies and double clamp for the third one) was designed by the developed method that verified the robustness and reliability of the suggested and implemented clamping system design model. The automatic design of clamping scheme for workpieces (regardless of the geometry) beside its capability in integration with the other modules of fixture design activities provides the opportunity for the system to be used in industrial applications.