Abstract: Based on the case based designing (CBD) methodology, the fixture similarity is in two respects: the function and the structure information. Then, the computer aided fixture design system is created on case based reasoning (CBR),in which the attributes of the main features of workpiece and structure of fixture as case index code are designed for the retrieve of the similar cases, and the structure and hierarchical relation of case library are set up for store. Meanwhile, the algorithm based on the knowledge guided in the retrieve of the similar cases, the strategy of case adapt at ion and case storage in which the case ident if cat ion number is used to distinguish from similar cases are presented. The application of the system in some projects improves the design efficiency and gets a good result .6298
Keywords: case based reasoning ;fixture design; computer aided design(CAD)
   Fixtures are devices that serve as the purpose of holding the workpiece securely and accurately, and maintaining a consistent relationship with respect to the tools while machining. Because the fixture structure depends on the feature of the product and the status of the process planning in the enterprise, its design is the bottleneck during manufacturing, which restrains to improve the efficiency and leadtime. And fixture design is a complicated process, based on experience that needs comprehensive qualitative knowledge about a number of design issues including workpiece configuration, manufacturing processes involved, and machining environment. This is also a very time consuming work when using traditional CAD tools (such as Unigraphics, CATIA or Pro/E), which are good at performing detailed design tasks, but provide few benefits for taking advantage of the previous design experience and resources, which are precisely the key factors in improving the efficiency. The methodology of case based reasoning (CBR) adapts the solution of a previously solved case to build a solution for a new problem with the following four steps: retrieve, reuse, revise, and retain [1]. This is a more useful method than the use of an expert system to simulate human thought because proposing a similar case and applying a few modifications seems to be self explanatory and more intuitive to humans .So various case based design support tools have been developed for numerous areas[2-4], such as in injection molding and design, architectural design, die casting die design, process planning, and also in fixture design. Sun used six digitals to compose the index code that included workpiece shape, machine portion, bushing, the 1st locating device, the 2nd locating device and clamping device[5]. But the system cannot be used for other fixture types except for drill fixtures, and cannot solve the problem of storage of the same index code that needs to be retained, which is very important in CBR[6].
1 Construction of a Case Index and Case Library
1.1 Case index
   The case index should be composed of all features of the workpiece, which are distinguished from different fixtures. Using all of them would make the operation in convenient. Because the forms of the parts are perse, and the technology requirements of manufacture in the enterprise also develop continuously, lots of features used as the case index will make the search rate slow, and the main feature unimportant, for the reason that the relative weight which is allotted to every feature must diminish. And on the other hand, it is hard to include all the features in the case index.
Therefore, considering the practicality and the demand of rapid design, the case index includes both the major feature of the workpiece and the structure of fixture. The case index code is made up of 16 digits: 13 digits for case features and 3 digits for case identification number.
The first 13 digits represent 13 features. Each digit is corresponding to an attribute of the feature, which may be one of“*”, “？”, “1”, “2”,…,“A”,“B”,…, “Z”,…, etc. In which, “*” means anyone, “?” uncertain, “0” nothing. 夹具设计研究与应用英文文献和中文翻译:http://www.751com.cn/fanyi/lunwen_3763.html