On the development of a universal automated fixturing system through encapsulation techniques

Abstract

Universal automated fixturing can transform a machine tool into a rapid prototyping machine with many advantages over current rapid prototyping methods. Using this modified machine tool, prototype parts can be manufactured using the intended engineered materials, allowing for not only visual inspection of the prototype but also functional testing. The entire design process can be sped up, allowing companies to be more responsive to market changes. This research is aimed at showing that the techniques known as Reference Free Part Encapsulation (RFPE) can be used to develop such a fixturing system. Within this dissertation, the machines and systems that are needed to develop an automated fixturing system are discussed. We describe work done to experimentally investigate the effects of various parameters such as encapsulation pressures and temperatures on encapsulation quality. The goal of this research is to build upon the conventional understanding of molding in general and to bring the cumulative understanding of the encapsulation process to a point where universal automated fixturing through Reference Free Part Encapsulation is demonstrably feasible. This thesis will elaborate on the current machines and systems developed as testbeds for performing RFPE. We examine the effectiveness of these testbeds to carry out the encapsulation procedures.

(cont.) Universal automated fixturing can transform a machine tool into a rapid prototyping machine with many advantages over current rapid prototyping methods. Using this modified machine tool, prototype parts can be manufactured using the intended engineered materials, allowing for not only visual inspection of the prototype but also functional testing. The entire design process can be sped up, allowing companies to be more responsive to market changes. This research is aimed at showing that the techniques known as Reference Free Part Encapsulation (RFPE) can be used to develop such a fixturing system. Within this dissertation, the machines and systems that are needed to develop an automated fixturing system are discussed. We describe work done to experimentally investigate the effects of various parameters such as encapsulation pressures and temperatures on encapsulation quality. The goal of this research is to build upon the conventional understanding of molding in general and to bring the cumulative understanding of the encapsulation process to a point where universal automated fixturing through Reference Free Part Encapsulation is demonstrably feasible. This thesis will elaborate on the current machines and systems developed as testbeds for performing RFPE. We examine the effectiveness of these testbeds to carry out the encapsulation procedures.