Importance

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Abstract

An intelligent fixture system has the ability to clamp and machine a family of nonidentical parts without requiring the use of separate dedicated fixtures for each part. A first part sensing system identifies a part to be machined and configures the clamps on a fixture in accordance with the size and shape of the part. A second part sensing system determines the exact location of the part after it has been clamped into the fixture and develops error signals representative of position and orientation of the actual position of the clamped part relative to the intended position and orientation of the clamped part. X, Y, and Z position errors signals and roll error signals of the clamped part are provided as offsets to the machine tools which will machine the part in order to compensate for the errors. Pitch and yaw errors in the orientation of the clamped part are used to adjust the position of a micro-positioner located between the fixture and the pallet which carries the fixture in which the part is clamped in order to correct the pitch and yaw of the part.

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First Claim