Multiaxis Machining of Fork-Type Parts: Fixture Design and Numerical Simulation

Assurance of accuracy for machining parts and their work’s reliability is achieved using fixtures with the required accuracy of the locating and the workpiece reliable fixing. The expansion of state-of-the-art metal-cutting equipment’s technological capabilities necessitates using advanced fixture designs to be fully utilized. It requires the application of new approaches and the necessity of advanced fixture design. Fixture design for complex parts machining can reduce the auxiliary time for setup remains especially relevant. A flexible fixture design that provides tool accessibility multiaxis machining of fork-type parts for one setup is proposed. Refusal of full locating, application of industrial robots, and two fixtures for parts machining allows combining auxiliary time with cutting time. The numerical simulation results confirmed that the fixture meets all the strength, accuracy, and stiffness parameters. It allows the application of intensive cutting modes, which will provide the greatest efficiency when using modern machine tools and cutting tools. Oscillation amplitudes in the work surface positions do not exceed these surfaces’ size tolerances.