Novel workpiece clamping method for increased machining performance

Abstract

Fixtures which balance cutting forces and torques by the friction forces generated on contact surfaces of locating, clamping elements and workpiece surfaces are widespread in industrial practice. Among other things, these friction contacts are characterized by a certain amount of interface compliance which is a complex function of macro- and microgeometry of contact pairs in the workpiece-fixture system, as well as the clamping and cutting forces. Workpiece machining errors are mostly the consequence of that interface compliance. This paper investigates workpiece-fixture interface compliance in cases where clamping is performed using a standard, and specially designed clamping element. Theoretical considerations are presented, followed by results of experimental investigation. Considerable advantages of the specially designed clamping element compared to its standard counterpart are demonstrated by experiments. The results are a good starting point for a research into optimization of special fixture clamping elements and their wider industrial application.