Concurrent analysis of machining sequences and fixturing set-ups for minimizing set-up changes for machining mill-turn parts

In a typical machining process for producing a mill-turn part, milling operations and turning operations are required. If both milling machines and turning machines are utilized, the part may need to be moved between the two types of machines. In addition, the fixturing set-ups may need to be changed when different portions of the part are machined. In this research, a concurrent analysis model for analysing machining sequences and fixturing set-ups is presented. The purpose is to determine a good machining sequence by evaluating the machine changes and the fixturing set-up changes. A feature-based fixturing analysis method is developed for calculating the fixturing parameters for machining prismatic features and rotational features of a mill-turned part. A branch-and-bound method is developed to analyse the feasible machining sequences to find the best sequence with the minimum number of machine changes and fixturing set-up changes. A software system is implemented and example parts are tested and discussed.