Internet-Enabled Collaborative Fixture Design

The design of fixtures is a complex and instinctive process. A proficient fixture design system customized for particular applications reduces manufacturing costs and lead times. Various computer-aided systems are available to assist in the many manufacturing stages in today’s industry. A fixture design system should facilitate the seamless movement of information among several domains to enhance product design and production processes. The fixture design system should be easily transferable and compatible with many operating platforms. This study discusses creating an Internet-enabled interactive fixture design system that enables seamless communication among different disciplines in product development. Utilizing the Internet and Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) allows for the exchange of information and expertise among computer-aided manufacturing systems. The CAD model of fixturing pieces is first turned into VRML coding. The VRML code for the model can be modified to vary the size and dimensions of the CAD model, facilitating alterations such as scaling fixture components, repositioning mounting points, and resizing clamping parts to align with specific design needs. The VRML model of the fixturing system was created with Java and built on an FTTP server architecture. It guarantees that the system performs consistently across different platforms. This work has also established a mechanism for comprehensive fixture design independent of a locating scheme. Establishing a library for storing previous fixture designs can prevent the need to recreate the current model.