An Automated Approach for Assembling Modular Fixtures Using SolidWorks
Modular fixtures (MFs) are very important tools in
manufacturing processes in terms of reduction the cost and the
production time. This paper introduces an automated approach for
assembling MFs elements by employing SolidWorks as a powerful
3D CAD software. Visual Basic (VB) programming language was
applied integrating with SolidWorks API (Application programming
interface) functions. This integration allowed creating plug-in file and
generating new menus in the SolidWorks environment. The menus
allow the user to select, insert, and assemble MFs elements.
[1] L. Kailing, et al., "Development of an intelligent jig and fixture design
system," in 7th International Conference on Computer-Aided Industrial
Design and Conceptual Design, 2006, pp. 1-5.
[2] I. M. Boyle and R. Kevin, "CAFixD: A Case-Based Reasoning Fixture
Design Method. Framework and Indexing Mechanisms," presented at
the ASME 2004 design engineering technical conferences, Salt
Lake,Utah USA, 2004.
[3] Y. Rong and X. Li, "Locating method analysis based rapid fxiture
configuration design," IEEE, pp. 27-32, 1997.
[4] B. S. Babu, et al., "Automatic modular fixture generation in computer
aided process planning systems," Proceedings of the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Science, pp. 1147-1152, 2005.
[5] W. Ma, et al., "FIX-DES:A computer - aided modular fixture
configuration design system," Advanced manufacturing technology, vol.
14, pp. 21 - 32 1998.
[6] X. Kong, et al., "Reaserch and development of the software on
computer aided fixtures designing," IEEE, pp. 1233-1236, 2009.
[7] U. H. Farhan and M. T. Rad, "Design of modular fixtures using a 3Dmodelling
approach," in In:19th International Congress on Modelling
and Simulation, Perth, Australia, 2011, pp. 405-411.
[8] G. Peng, et al., "A pragmatic system to support interactive modular
fixture configuration design in desktop virtual environment," IEEE, vol.
2, 2008.
[9] Development of Automated Dedicated Fixture Design Systems.
Available:
http://www.me.wpi.edu/research/CAMLab/research%20areas/new/ded_
principle.htm
[1] L. Kailing, et al., "Development of an intelligent jig and fixture design
system," in 7th International Conference on Computer-Aided Industrial
Design and Conceptual Design, 2006, pp. 1-5.
[2] I. M. Boyle and R. Kevin, "CAFixD: A Case-Based Reasoning Fixture
Design Method. Framework and Indexing Mechanisms," presented at
the ASME 2004 design engineering technical conferences, Salt
Lake,Utah USA, 2004.
[3] Y. Rong and X. Li, "Locating method analysis based rapid fxiture
configuration design," IEEE, pp. 27-32, 1997.
[4] B. S. Babu, et al., "Automatic modular fixture generation in computer
aided process planning systems," Proceedings of the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Science, pp. 1147-1152, 2005.
[5] W. Ma, et al., "FIX-DES:A computer - aided modular fixture
configuration design system," Advanced manufacturing technology, vol.
14, pp. 21 - 32 1998.
[6] X. Kong, et al., "Reaserch and development of the software on
computer aided fixtures designing," IEEE, pp. 1233-1236, 2009.
[7] U. H. Farhan and M. T. Rad, "Design of modular fixtures using a 3Dmodelling
approach," in In:19th International Congress on Modelling
and Simulation, Perth, Australia, 2011, pp. 405-411.
[8] G. Peng, et al., "A pragmatic system to support interactive modular
fixture configuration design in desktop virtual environment," IEEE, vol.
2, 2008.
[9] Development of Automated Dedicated Fixture Design Systems.
Available:
http://www.me.wpi.edu/research/CAMLab/research%20areas/new/ded_
principle.htm
@article{"International Journal of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Sciences:54880", author = "Uday Hameed Farhan and Majid Tolouei-Rad and Simona O'Brien", title = "An Automated Approach for Assembling Modular Fixtures Using SolidWorks", abstract = "Modular fixtures (MFs) are very important tools in
manufacturing processes in terms of reduction the cost and the
production time. This paper introduces an automated approach for
assembling MFs elements by employing SolidWorks as a powerful
3D CAD software. Visual Basic (VB) programming language was
applied integrating with SolidWorks API (Application programming
interface) functions. This integration allowed creating plug-in file and
generating new menus in the SolidWorks environment. The menus
allow the user to select, insert, and assemble MFs elements.", keywords = "Assembly automation, modular fixtures,
SolidWorks, Visual Basic.", volume = "6", number = "12", pages = "2708-4", }