Monolithic Workholding Frame Design for Machining Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subtractive manufacturing processes face challenges in maintaining the stability of the blank material during machining due to forces exerted by tools, leading to increased costs and complexity in designing and fabricating specialized fixtures for each part.
Innovation Solution
A processor-aided design method that generates parameters for a workholding frame based on a 3D model of the object and a bounding box, allowing the workholding frame and object to be fabricated as a single monolithic piece, reducing the need for separate fixtures and minimizing material movement during machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a special purpose fixture is used to hold the blank in place during machining, then the blank stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the workholding frame and the object into a single monolithic workpiece by integrating the fixture design with the object geometry. The processor generates a bounding box that adjoins the object surface, and the workholding frame is designed as an integrated component rather than a separate fixture, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or mounting operations while maintaining blank stability during machining
2Stability of the object's composition
If a special purpose fixture is designed and fabricated for each part, then the blank stability is improved, but the manufacturing time and resource expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs preliminary design of the workholding frame by automatically generating the bounding box and frame parameters based on the object's 3D model before machining begins. This pre-computation of fixture geometry eliminates the need for time-consuming manual fixture design and fabrication, as the workholding frame is seamlessly integrated into the object design phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the object's own geometric data to generate its own workholding frame design. The processor analyzes the object's 3D model and automatically creates the bounding box and frame parameters, allowing the object to essentially design its own fixture without requiring external fixture design resources or additional manufacturing time
3Reliability
If traditional separate fixture design is used, then the object can be held during machining, but the overall productivity decreases due to additional manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The workholding frame and object are merged into a single monolithic workpiece that is machined as one integrated component. This eliminates the separate fixture fabrication and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing cycle time and improving productivity while maintaining machining reliability through the integrated design that ensures proper workholding
Data Source
AI summary
A method of processor-aided design of a workholding frame for a manufacturing process includes using a processor to perform operations including receiving, by a processor, first data representing a first three-dimensional (3D) model of an object to be manufactured. The operations further include obtaining, by the processor, second data describing a second 3D model. The second 3D model represents a bounding box having one or more sides adjoining a surface of the object within the first 3D model. The operations further include automatically generating, by the processor and based on the first data and the bounding box, third data indicating one or more parameters of the workholding frame. The workholding frame and the object are to be formed based on the one or more parameters and as a single workpiece from a blank material during a machining process associated with the object.