System and method for automatic support device generation

A method for automated fixture manufacture, comprising:

• a) retrieving a plurality of virtual stock fixture pairs, each virtual stock fixture pair comprising a first virtual stock fixture opposing a second virtual stock fixture, wherein the plurality of virtual stock fixture pairs encompass every combination of standard stock fixture depth options for the first and second stock fixtures;
• b) receiving a virtual part from a user account;
• c) identifying a plurality of potential retention sides on the virtual part, each potential retention side comprising a set of features extending from the potential retention side;
• d) for each potential retention side of the plurality of potential retention sides, generating a plurality of potential retention rotations in a plane parallel the potential retention side;
• e) generating a plurality of potential virtual fixtures, comprising:
• for each combination of a potential retention rotation of the plurality and a virtual stock fixture pair of the plurality, generating a potential virtual fixture based on:
• the set of features extending from the respective potential retention side, the respective potential retention rotation, and the respective virtual stock fixture pair;
• f) for each potential virtual fixture of the plurality of potential virtual fixtures:
• determining a stiffness for a physical part corresponding to the virtual part;
• determining a total contact surface area between the virtual part and the potential virtual fixture;
• determining moment of the virtual part fixed within the virtual fixture;
• and
• calculating a workholding confidence score based on the stiffness, the total contact surface area, and the moment;
• g) selecting a virtual fixture from the plurality of potential virtual fixtures, the virtual fixture comprising a potential virtual fixture having an optimal workholding confidence score;
• h) controlling manufacture of a physical fixture corresponding to the virtual fixture;
• and
• i) controlling manufacture of a physical part using the physical fixture, the physical part corresponding to the virtual part.