CAPACITATION OF FLEXIBLES FIXTURES FOR ITS USE IN HIGH QUALITY MACHINING PROCESSES: AN APPLICATION CASE OF THE INDUSTRY 4.0. PARADIGM

Abstract

The incipient implementation of the Industry 4.0 paradigm has led to an increase in the machines sensoring level, in the processes optimization and, thus, in the product manufacturing with a higher added value. In this article a new aspect is described where, through the machine monitoring, the utilization of innovative elements as fixture is enabled for high quality machining processes. These innovative elements are characterized by the great flexibility offered by them as holding component and by their low costs. However, these elements lack the enough geometrical accuracy for applications where a high shape and surface quality product are needed. First of all, in order to have a clear vision of the singularities of each fixture type present on the state of the art, a nomenclature and a classification has been proposed based on their geometry characteristics. Hence, based on this classification, an analysis of the different fixturing solutions provided by the market has been made, enhancing the advantages of this solution against the existing ones. With the aim of demonstrating its suitability for certain machining applications, the behavior of these sort of flexible materials has been characterized. Besides, the sensors implementation has been analyzed in order to capacitate this solution for processes where tough tolerances on parts are demanded. Therefore, this survey demonstrates that, through the massive information gathering, not only an optimization of the existing technologies is obtained, but it is possible to develop innovative solutions that provide improved capacities to the already existing ones in the Industry. Keywords: Flexible fixtures, fixtures classification, elastomers characterization, laser technology, accurate machining, Industry 4.0.