Locating completeness evaluation and revision in fixture plan

Geometry constraint is one of the most important considerations in fixture design. Analytical formulation of deterministic location has been well developed. However, how to analyze and revise a non-deterministic locating scheme during the process of actual fixture design practice has not been thoroughly studied. In this paper, a methodology to characterize fixturing system's geometry constraint status with focus on under-constraint is proposed. An under-constraint status, if it exists, can be recognized with given locating scheme. All un-constrained motions of a workpiece in an under-constraint status can be automatically identified. This assists the designer to improve deficit locating scheme and provides guidelines for revision to eventually achieve deterministic locating.