Modular Tooling Fixture Assembly for Precise Reconfigurable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial tooling fixtures are often large and expensive, requiring significant storage space and time to manufacture, and lack modularity for interchangeable parts.
Innovation Solution
A modular fixture assembly with a base plate and repositionable support fixtures of varying sizes, shapes, and orientations, made from materials like polymer, metal, or paper/cellulose-based materials, allowing for customizable configurations and easy interchangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional industrial tooling fixtures are designed specifically for a particular application, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into modular components including a base plate, support fixtures, and saddles that can be independently selected and combined. Each module serves a specific function and can be reconfigured for different workpieces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining positioning precision through standardized interfaces and alignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular fixture system is designed to accommodate multiple workpiece types and manufacturing operations through interchangeable components. The base plate with grid pattern and standardized support fixtures can be reconfigured for different applications, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fixtures and reducing device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional industrial tooling fixtures are designed specifically for a particular application, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-manufactured with precision alignment features, mounting holes, and standardized dimensions before assembly. The base plate includes pre-drilled holes in a grid pattern, and support fixtures include pre-formed saddles and mounting features, eliminating the need for on-site machining and reducing fixture assembly time while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the fixture into pre-manufactured modular components, each piece can be produced independently using optimized manufacturing processes. This segmentation allows parallel production of multiple components and reduces overall manufacturing time compared to building a complete custom fixture as a single integrated piece.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional industrial tooling fixtures are designed specifically for a particular application, then manufacturing precision is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single modular fixture system can serve multiple workpiece types and operations through reconfiguration of interchangeable components. The standardized base plate, support fixtures, and saddles can be arranged in different configurations to accommodate various workpiece geometries and manufacturing requirements, eliminating the need to store multiple specialized fixtures and reducing storage space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fixture functions are combined into a single modular system that can be reconfigured for different applications. The base plate with its grid pattern and mounting holes serves as a universal platform that can support various combinations of support fixtures and saddles, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate fixtures into one compact storage unit.
4Reliability
If traditional industrial tooling fixtures are designed specifically for a particular application, then reliability is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is segmented into standardized modular components with consistent interfaces and alignment features. This segmentation allows reliable reproduction of fixture configurations across different workpieces while maintaining the ability to adapt to new applications by rearranging the same reliable components, thus preserving both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized dimensions that ensure reliable performance across multiple applications. The base plate, support fixtures, and saddles can be confidently reused and reconfigured for different workpieces without compromising reliability, as each component's function and dimensions are standardized and proven across various fixture configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture assembly for industrial tooling is disclosed herein. The fixture assembly includes a base plate and a plurality of support fixtures each removably coupled to the base plate. The support fixtures are repositionable along the base plate providing a modular and customizable fixture assembly.