System And Method For Fixture Configuration Determination For Part Manufacturing With The Aid Of A Digital Computer

A system for fixture configuration determination for part manufacturing with the aid of a digital computer, comprising:

• a storage of digital information comprising:
• a model of a part to be manufactured and a constraint volume;
• and
• a catalog of multiplicity of fixture elements specific to a manufacturing facility and configurable to fixture the part;
• a computer comprising a processor and memory operatively coupled to the storage, comprising:
• an identification module configured to identify fixturable regions comprising locations on the part's surfaces that cannot be approached by either a tool in motion used during manufacturing of the part or a clamp;
• an immobilization module configured to identify fixturing points for immobilization of the part by computing form closure over the fixturable regions;
• a selection module configured to use the fixturing points and the constraint volume to select a plurality of the fixture elements for a fixture configuration that ensures stability of the part.