Reconfigurable swarm fixtures

The paper presents the novel concept of a reconfigurable swarm fixture. In existing fixturing systems the configuration of the supports cannot be modified significantly without removing the workpiece; reconfiguration is usually manual and time consuming. In contrast, in the system we are currently developing, supports are mobile agents controlled to behave as a swarm and able to reposition automatically during the manufacturing of the workpiece. The goal is to create a simple to operate, modular, and cost-effective fixturing system with a relatively small number of supports, allowing the uninterrupted machining of large thin parts like those used in the production of aircraft and automobiles.