An innovative Fixing Solution for holding Complex Shaped Components
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Manufacturing industry faces several challenges when fixing complex shaped
components, especially in the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry uses
various types of dedicated fixturing systems to handle these components, but lacks a
universal method of fixing. A complex shaped component does not have any
symmetric lines or parallel surfaces, which makes it difficult to fix in manufacturing
processes such as machining, finishing and inspection operations. A pin type fixturing
system is the dominant and reliable design used in such applications to fix complex
shaped components. In pin type fixturing systems, force is applied via a point contact
to the workpiece. This can cause structural and/or surface damage to the component.
To overcome this, a fixturing system based on jamming of materials with negative
pressure is used to improve conventional pin type. A flexible diaphragm filled with
januning materials is used to increase the area of contact. By changing the diaphragm
properties, it is possible to improve the quality of workpiece fixing. This work studies
the effect of the diaphragm properties on fixing quality. Series of experiments were
carried out to decide the best suited diaphragm properties in terms of highest holding
force with best adaptability to a given complex shape. According to experimental
results, increasing the thickness of granular jamming membrane has provided higher
fixturing force for complex shaped components.
Keywords: Aerospace, Complex shapes, Fixtures, Granular Jamming, Work holding devices.
Description
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science