An optimum design for 3-D fixture synthesis in a point set domain

This article addresses the problem of fixture synthesis for 3-D workpieces with a set of discrete locations on the workpiece surface as a point set of candidates for locator and clamp placement. A sequential optimization appr oach is presented in order to reduce the complexity associated with an exha ustive search. The approach is based on a concept of optimum experimental d esign, while the optimization focuses on the fixture performance of workpie ce localization accuracy. In using the D-optimality criterion to minimize t he workpiece positioning errors, two different greedy algorithms are develo ped for force-closure fixturing in the point set domain. Both 2-D and 3-D e xamples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the synthesis appr oach.