Development of an intelligent jig and fixture design system

The jig and fixture is important basic equipment in the machining process and mechanical assembly. With the development of the CAD/CAPP/CAM and the wide application of CNC technique in the manufacturing, the traditional method for the jig and fixture design has not adapted to the demands of complexity and variety in the practical production with update of products more and more rapid. Computer aided fixture design (CAFD) is an effective way for the situation. The designer's participation and experience are necessary for the traditional CAFD system. A new design system is developed in the article for the special purpose jig and fixture by applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the CAFD system, using the theory of the expert system and technology of the 3D modelling. It discusses the configuration, the general function modules, the knowledge representation, the reasoning mechanism and the standard component base of the jig and fixture. This paper explored the technology of intelligence and optimization in the process of the jig and fixture design. Finally, an example of virtual assembly is given designed by the CAFD system