Computer-Implemented System And Method For Determining Spatial Locations Of Fixture Element Fixturing Points On A Part To Be Manufactured

A computer-implemented method for determining spatial locations of fixture element fixturing points on a part to be manufactured, comprising:

• retrieving a part model and a constraint volume for a part to be manufactured, the part model and the constraint volume comprising geometric representations of the part respectively defining the boundary of the part and a region defined about the boundary of the part;
• identifying locations on the boundary of the part against which to contact a plurality of fixture elements that are affixed to a base plate, each identified location being both reachable by at least one fixture element and situated where that fixture element will not interfere with a manufacturing tool's approaches to the part;
• and
• evaluating a plurality of potential configurations as exhibiting form closure over the part when fixtured by a select plurality of the fixture elements in contact with the part at the identified locations comprised in each of the potential configurations.