Analysis of a Tool System with a Four Axes Flexible Fixture

Abstract

This study is to develop a tool system, which is formed by a series of procedures, modifications, and assemblies, and to learn how processing characteristics are affected and what various processing parameters are. According to the cutting tool compressibility and clamping devices of rigidity and flexibility, three distinct combinations are as follows, that is (1) rigid clamping devices with hard cutting tools, (2) flexibile clamping devices with hard cutting tools, and (3) rigid clamping devices with soft cutting tools. The first are generally cutting processes, while the second are polishing processes and the third produce milling wipe or grinding and polishing compound processes. The cutting part is quite different and may cause different accuracy and removing rate. The mixture processes, such as turn-burnishing, milling-burnishing and grind-polishing, are existed. If certain flexible clamping devices with hard cutting tools are formed, the most suited to this process will be practical benefits. Considering the flexible cutting tools of clamping devices are less systematically designed, this study would mainly focus on the establishment of a systematic design, and actual cutting to explore its applications. In order to take into account the characteristics of flexibility and reduction of the retardation when connected, meanwhile, to meet not only the fixture complexity and availability (being easy) to manufacturing, but also to fit the strength and processing requirements, the systematic design is to create a tool system. After some cutting experiments have been conducted, the results proved that different degrees of flexibility on the workpiece surface would lead to different degrees of accuracy.