Research On Innovative Design Methods Of Reconfigurable Fixture

Nowdays, with the reformation of the new technology and global industrial, manufacturing which is the pillar industry of our national economy has to face the new challenge. Traditional manufacturing system has been promoted to reform because of complex market, fierce competition and intensive production. Reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) which is a new type of flexible manufacturing system inherits and develops the advantage of dedicated manufacturing system and flexible manufacturing system. It is the weapon to cope with challenges in the future manufacturing.Reconfigurable fixture plays an important role in RMS. It is meaningful to ensure products quality, improve system reconfigurability, decrease system ramp-up time, etc. Traditional design of reconfigurable fixture depends on the experience of designers. There are no enough effective tools and innovative methods to solve the problem of reconfigurable fixture design conflicts. It is difficult to essentially obtain the innovative design plan about reconfigurable fixture. It obviously suppresses the development of RMS and is not satisfied with innovative requirements of manufacturing.Advanced design theory is valuable to solve the product design problems innovatively. It is a powerful tool to assist designer for product design. TRIZ theory is a logical thinking innovation model based on deep knowledge. Brainstorming and overcoming the inertia of thinking are all innovative models based on divergent thinking. Therefore, this paper studies the way of incorporates modern design methods into the design of the reconfigurable fixture. Meanwhile, a computer aided innovation design system of reconfigurable fixture based on multi methods is developed. Specific contents are as follows.Firstly, the development and classification of fixture system is discussed and the development model of flexible fixture is analyzed. Combined with the research of RMS, reconfigurable fixture’s concept, design characteristics and differences from the traditional fixture are deeply clarified. At the same time, the main problems existing in the design of the reconfigurable fixture are put forward.Secondly, TRIZ theory, brainstorming method and method to overcome the inertia of thinking are deeply studied. Their application principles and processes of solving problems are analyzed. We analyze the design requirements and the engineering parameters of the reconfigurable fixture. And then, an innovative design process model of reconfigurable fixture is proposed based on TRIZ conflict resolution principle. In the light of complex problems of reconfigurable fixture, an integrated model of design process which integrated TRIZ theory, brainstorming method and overcome the inertia of thinking method is came up with.Thirdly, the computer aided innovation design software for reconfigurable fixture is designed and achieved. In the process of its design and implementation, the software architecture and its rich databases are built. We designe solution processes and function modules. The whole interfaces and functions of this software are realized though C#, SQL server 2005 and other tools.Finally, this computer aided innovation system for reconfigurable fixture is used to solve the design problems existing in the current V shape, which is an important part in reconfigurable fixture. The new V shape support has many advantages, such as high flexible, easy to operate, simple structure, high efficiency and so on. Through this application, it is concluded that this computer aided innovation design system for reconfigurable fixture is practical, scientific and feasible to solve the design problems of reconfigurable fixture.