Robust Design of Fixture Configuration

The paper deals with robust design of fixture configuration. It aims to investigate how fixture element deviations and machine tool volumetric errors affect machining operations quality. The locator position configuration is then designed to minimize the deviation of machined features with respect to the applied geometric tolerances.The proposed approach represents a design step that goes further the deterministic positioning of the part based on the screw theory, and may be used to look for simple and general rules easily applicable in an industrial context.The methodology is illustrated and validated using simulation and simple industrial case studies.