Analysis of Clamping and Locator Surfaces of Workpiece using Finite Element Analysis

摘要

In re-engineering mass production industry the design and production of components are frequently changed according to the customer needs with very short span of time. These will leads to rising difficulty to maintain the accuracy of the every finished component and the long setup time of the cutting tools and machine tools are also affect the production rate of the components. To reduce the production time and improve the accuracy of the finished product, proper fixture element is inevitable. The accuracy of the finished work-piece strongly depends upon the location of the locator and clamps in the work-piece fixture system. A clamping force applied on the workpiece known as active forces to provide complete restrained of the workpiece against any external applied forces. A locator is referred to as a component to provide the orientation of the work piece and it will generate reaction forces known as passive forces against the clamping forces. Localized contact forces can cause the elastic deformation of the workpiece in the contact region of locators and clamping elements. A Finite Element Analysis Tool is well suited to predict the active and passive forces on the work piece-fixture system. The prediction accuracy of a Finite Element model of the fixture -workpiece system is highly dependent on the boundary conditions used to represent the locator-workpiece and clamp work-piece contacts. The accuracy of the workpiece not only depends on the clamping force but also depends upon the locator force (Reaction force). This paper presents the analysis of the variation of elastic deformation of the workpiece single surface contact of the clamping and locators in the workpiece-fixture system using Finite Element Analysis. Finally compares this prediction results by experimental measurements taken from the physical model of the work-piece fixture system.