Processor and method for developing a set of admissible fixture designs for a workpiece

A modular design fixture processor for developing a set of admissible fixture designs on a fixture vise for a workpiece with first, second, third and fourth locators, said fixture vice including first and second fixture jaws disposed on said fixture vice capable of being translated in a planar direction, said first and second fixture jaws including an array of holes separated by a predetermined distance for receiving at least first, second, third and fourth locators therein which contact said workpiece, said processor comprising:

• first enumerating means for enumerating positions on said first fixture jaw for said first locator and said second locator;
• bounding means for determining a boundary constraint indicative of limits on possible third and fourth locator positions based on one set of first and second locator positions;
• second enumerating means for enumerating positions on said second fixture jaw for said third locator and said fourth locator based on said boundary constraint;
• pose enumerating means for enumerating poses of said workpiece based on one set of said first, second, third, and fourth locator positions;
• and
• analyzing means for determining whether said set of said first, second, third and fourth locator positions and one of said poses of said workpiece form a fixture design achieving form closure.

A method for developing modular fixtures on a fixture vise for a workpiece with first, second, third and fourth locators, said fixture vise including first and second fixture jaws disposed thereon which are capable of being translated in a planar direction, said first and second fixture jaws including an array of holes separated by a predetermined distance for receiving first, second, third and fourth locators therein which contact said workpiece, comprising:

• (a) enumerating positions on said first fixture jaw for said first locator and said second locator using a processor;
• (b) determining a boundary constraint indicative of limits on possible third and fourth locator positions based on one set of first and second locator positions using said processor;
• (c) enumerating positions on said second fixture jaw for said third locator and said fourth locator based on output of step (b) using said processor;
• (d) enumerating poses of said workpiece based on one set of said first, second, third, and fourth locator positions using said processor;
• and
• (e) determining whether said set of said first, second, third and fourth locator positions and one of said poses of said workpiece form a fixture design achieving form closure using said processor.

A modular design fixture processor for developing a set of admissible fixture designs on a fixture vise for a workpiece with first, second, third and fourth locators, said fixture vise including first and second fixture jaws disposed thereon which are capable of being translated in a planar direction, said first and second fixture jaws including an array of holes separated by a predetermined distance for receiving at least first, second, third and fourth locators therein which contact a workpiece, said processor comprising:

• first enumerating means for enumerating positions on said first fixture jaw for said first, second and third locator;
• pose enumerating means for enumerating poses of said workpiece such that edges of said workpiece simultaneously contact said first, second and third locator based on one set of said first, second, and third locator positions;
• and
• second enumerating means for enumerating positions of said fourth locator on said second fixture jaw based on said one set of said first, second and third locator positions and one of said poses of said workpiece;
• and
• analyzing means for determining whether said set of said first, second, third and fourth locator positions and said one of said poses of said workpiece form a fixture design achieving form closure.

A method for developing modular fixtures on a fixture vise for a workpiece with first, second, third and fourth locators, said fixture vise including first and second fixture jaws disposed thereon which are capable of being translated in a planar direction, said first and second fixture jaws including an array of holes separated by a predetermined distance for receiving first, second, third and fourth locators therein which contact said workpiece, comprising:

• (a) enumerating positions on said first fixture jaw for said first, second and third locator using a processor;
• (b) enumerating poses of said workpiece such that edges of said workpiece simultaneously contact said first, second and third locator based on one set of said first, second, and third locator positions using said processor;
• (c) enumerating positions of said fourth locator on said second fixture jaw based on said one set of said first, second and third locator positions and one of said poses of said workpiece using said processor;
• and
• (d) determining whether said set of said first, second, third and fourth locator positions and said one of said poses of said workpiece form a fixture design achieving form closure using said processor.

A modular fixturing system, comprising:

• a fixture vice;
• at least first, second, third, and fourth locators;
• first and second fixture jaws disposed on said fixture vice, at least one of said first and second fixture jaws being movable in a planar direction with respect to one another, said first and second fixture jaws including an array of holes separated by a predetermined distance for receiving said at least first, second, third and fourth locators therein to contact a workpiece;
• and
• a fixture processor for generating, without human assistance, a set of admissible fixture designs which provide form closure based on geometric access constraints of the workpiece.