Analysis of clamping within a fixing system

The complex workpiece-fixing behaviour during machining is essential for the fixture development process, especially when using innovative intelligent Piezo-electric clamping systems being very susceptible to transverse forces. Therefore, the loads acting on fixture components have been analysed and a model for predicting the reaction forces due to clamping and process loads is presented. First, a complex finite element model is used to obtain detailed information about the behaviour during the process. Second, a faster model with fewer elements is developed, validated and used for the variation of process parameters. Finally, both results are combined to an analytical model. This empiric equation allows to predict the reaction forces depending on several process parameters. The usability of this method has been exposed by modelling shape grinding of a nozzle guide vane