An Automated Approach for Assembling Modular Fixtures Using SolidWorks

Authors: Uday Hameed Farhan, Majid Tolouei-Rad, Simona O'Brien

Abstract:

Modular fixtures (MFs) are very important tools in manufacturing processes in terms of reduction the cost and the production time. This paper introduces an automated approach for assembling MFs elements by employing SolidWorks as a powerful 3D CAD software. Visual Basic (VB) programming language was applied integrating with SolidWorks API (Application programming interface) functions. This integration allowed creating plug-in file and generating new menus in the SolidWorks environment. The menus allow the user to select, insert, and assemble MFs elements.

Keywords: Assembly automation, modular fixtures, SolidWorks, Visual Basic.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1061697

References:

[1] L. Kailing, et al., "Development of an intelligent jig and fixture design system," in 7th International Conference on Computer-Aided Industrial Design and Conceptual Design, 2006, pp. 1-5.
[2] I. M. Boyle and R. Kevin, "CAFixD: A Case-Based Reasoning Fixture Design Method. Framework and Indexing Mechanisms," presented at the ASME 2004 design engineering technical conferences, Salt Lake,Utah USA, 2004.
[3] Y. Rong and X. Li, "Locating method analysis based rapid fxiture configuration design," IEEE, pp. 27-32, 1997.
[4] B. S. Babu, et al., "Automatic modular fixture generation in computer aided process planning systems," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, pp. 1147-1152, 2005.
[5] W. Ma, et al., "FIX-DES:A computer - aided modular fixture configuration design system," Advanced manufacturing technology, vol. 14, pp. 21 - 32 1998.
[6] X. Kong, et al., "Reaserch and development of the software on computer aided fixtures designing," IEEE, pp. 1233-1236, 2009.
[7] U. H. Farhan and M. T. Rad, "Design of modular fixtures using a 3Dmodelling approach," in In:19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Perth, Australia, 2011, pp. 405-411.
[8] G. Peng, et al., "A pragmatic system to support interactive modular fixture configuration design in desktop virtual environment," IEEE, vol. 2, 2008.
[9] Development of Automated Dedicated Fixture Design Systems. Available: http://www.me.wpi.edu/research/CAMLab/research%20areas/new/ded_ principle.htm