Optimal Determination of Locator Layout Based on Hybrid Method of Empirical Analysis with Generic Algorithm

Proper fixture design is crucial to obtain the product quality according to the design specification during the workpiece fabrication. Locator layout planning may be thought of as the first and most important task in the fixture design process. Therefore, a new approach to locator layout determination for work pieces with arbitrary complex surfaces is proposed for the first time. First, the proper locating datum and locator numbers are empirically determined in light of three main design guideline including 3-2-1R (plane, orientation, point), 3-2-1C (plane, centring, point) and 4-1-1 (centring, point, point) combinations. Secondly, the optimal locator positions are determined by generic algorithm.