Fixtures play a crucial role in ensuring dimensional accuracy, productivity, and repeatability in modern manufacturing systems. With the increasing adoption of flexible and computer-integrated manufacturing, there is a growing need for systematic and automated fixture design methodologies. This work presents a computer-aided fixture design and assembly approach that integrates CAD-based modeling, modular fixturing concepts, and virtual assembly techniques. The proposed methodology covers the complete fixture development cycle, including workpiece analysis, selection of locating, supporting, and clamping elements, fixture unit design, assembly planning, and interference checking. Standardized fixture elements are modeled and assembled using predefined mating relationships and assembly constraints within a CAD environment. Interference detection and design verification are carried out to ensure feasibility and correctness of the fixture assembly before physical realization. The approach also supports the generation of three-dimensional fixture layouts and bill of materials, enabling efficient documentation and design validation. Case studies on rectilinear and cylindrical workpieces demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in reducing design time, eliminating trial-and-error practices, and improving fixture reliability. The computer-aided fixture design and assembly framework provides a structured, flexible, and cost-effective solution suitable for automated and flexible manufacturing environments.

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1. Wang, Y. (Kevin) Rong, and H. Li, “Computer-aided fixture design: Recent research and trends,” Computer-Aided Design, vol. 42, pp. 1085–1094, 2010.
2. K. Hargrove, “Computer-aided fixture design: a review,” Int. J. Production Research, 1994.
3. Kang, Y. Rong, J. C. Yang, and W. Ma, “Computer-aided fixture design verification,” Assembly Automation, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 350–359, 2002.
4. Joneja and T. Chang, “Setup and fixture planning in automated process planning systems,” Int. J. Advanced Manufacturing Technology, July 1999.
5. Kang and S. Y. Liang, “Methods and techniques for fixture planning,” CAD Journal, vol. 5, no. 1–4, pp. 424–433, 2008.
6. Hashemi, A. M. Shaharoun, and S. Izman, “Fixture designers guidance: a review of advanced approaches,” Jordan J. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 377–384, 2014.
7. Fiedler, Jigs and Fixtures in Production: A Systematic Literature Review, 2024.
8. Rong, S. Huang, and Z. Hou, Advanced Computer-Aided Fixture Design, Springer, 2005.
9. Peng, G. Chen, C. Wu, H. Xin, and Y. Jiang, “Applying RBR and CBR to develop a VR based integrated system for machining fixture design,” Expert Systems with Applications, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 26–38, 2011.
10. Price, “A study of case based reasoning applied to welding computer aided fixture design,” Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2009.
11. Ma and J. Li, “Development of automated fixture planning systems,” Int. J. Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2003.
12. Y. C. Nee, K. Whybrew, and S. Kumar Anantharajan, “Computer-Aided Fixture Design,” in Advanced Fixture Design for FMS, Springer, 1995.
13. Hashemi, Z. Namazian, “Fixture design automation and optimization techniques: review and future trends,” Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2014.
14. Ivanov, “Information support of the computer-aided fixture design system,” International CAD Conference, 2016.
15. Navarro et al., “Development of a low-cost wire arc additive manufacturing system,” Manufacturing Review, vol. 6, no. 1, 2021.

Fixtures play a crucial role in ensuring dimensional accuracy, productivity, and repeatability in modern manufacturing systems. With the increasing adoption of flexible and computer-integrated manufacturing, there is a growing need for systematic and automated fixture design methodologies. This work presents a computer-aided fixture design and assembly approach that integrates CAD-based modeling, modular fixturing concepts, and virtual assembly techniques. The proposed methodology covers the complete fixture development cycle, including workpiece analysis, selection of locating, supporting, and clamping elements, fixture unit design, assembly planning, and interference checking. Standardized fixture elements are modeled and assembled using predefined mating relationships and assembly constraints within a CAD environment. Interference detection and design verification are carried out to ensure feasibility and correctness of the fixture assembly before physical realization. The approach also supports the generation of three-dimensional fixture layouts and bill of materials, enabling efficient documentation and design validation. Case studies on rectilinear and cylindrical workpieces demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in reducing design time, eliminating trial-and-error practices, and improving fixture reliability. The computer-aided fixture design and assembly framework provides a structured, flexible, and cost-effective solution suitable for automated and flexible manufacturing environments.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Wang, Y. (Kevin) Rong, and H. Li, “Computer-aided fixture design: Recent research and trends,” Computer-Aided Design, vol. 42, pp. 1085–1094, 2010.
2. K. Hargrove, “Computer-aided fixture design: a review,” Int. J. Production Research, 1994.
3. Kang, Y. Rong, J. C. Yang, and W. Ma, “Computer-aided fixture design verification,” Assembly Automation, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 350–359, 2002.
4. Joneja and T. Chang, “Setup and fixture planning in automated process planning systems,” Int. J. Advanced Manufacturing Technology, July 1999.
5. Kang and S. Y. Liang, “Methods and techniques for fixture planning,” CAD Journal, vol. 5, no. 1–4, pp. 424–433, 2008.
6. Hashemi, A. M. Shaharoun, and S. Izman, “Fixture designers guidance: a review of advanced approaches,” Jordan J. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 377–384, 2014.
7. Fiedler, Jigs and Fixtures in Production: A Systematic Literature Review, 2024.
8. Rong, S. Huang, and Z. Hou, Advanced Computer-Aided Fixture Design, Springer, 2005.
9. Peng, G. Chen, C. Wu, H. Xin, and Y. Jiang, “Applying RBR and CBR to develop a VR based integrated system for machining fixture design,” Expert Systems with Applications, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 26–38, 2011.
10. Price, “A study of case based reasoning applied to welding computer aided fixture design,” Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2009.
11. Ma and J. Li, “Development of automated fixture planning systems,” Int. J. Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2003.
12. Y. C. Nee, K. Whybrew, and S. Kumar Anantharajan, “Computer-Aided Fixture Design,” in Advanced Fixture Design for FMS, Springer, 1995.
13. Hashemi, Z. Namazian, “Fixture design automation and optimization techniques: review and future trends,” Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2014.
14. Ivanov, “Information support of the computer-aided fixture design system,” International CAD Conference, 2016.
15. Navarro et al., “Development of a low-cost wire arc additive manufacturing system,” Manufacturing Review, vol. 6, no. 1, 2021.