Multi-point Clamping with Automatic Collision Avoidance for Aircraft Structural Parts Machining

In order to solve the problem of machining motion collision between cutter and fixtures, a multi-point clamping system with automatic collision avoidance is proposed for aircraft structural parts. The system is developed in consideration of part localization and modular clamping functions, and independent of CNC machine tools for the convenience of application. And then, a model-based collision detecting algorithm is designed, which can be implemented by comparing the cutter's actual position extracted by ultrasonic sensors, and the calibrated positions of clamping points. Finally, a modular fixture system with automatic collision avoidance was manufactured and tested. From machining experiments, it indicates that the proposed fixture system can be highly efficient and very flexible to meet the aircraft structural parts machining requirements.