An Axiomatic Design View on Part Orientation Schemes BANCIU Felicia Veronica a , DRĂGHICI George b and PĂMÎNTAŞ EUGEN c Integrated Engineering Research Center, “Politehnica” University of Timişoara IMF Department, Faculty of Mechanics, Mihai Viteazu Av., No. 1, 300222, Timişoara, Romania a feliciabanciu@yahoo.com, b gdraghici@eng.upt.ro, c epamintas@eng.upt.ro Keywords: orientation schemes, fixture, axiomatic design Abstract.—the paper proposes an axiomatic design view of orientation schemes used in fixture design, in context of using the axiomatic design rules and guidance to fixture design. In this paper the axiomatic design, matrix and rules are applied to orientation schemes in order to see what kind of designs result (uncoupled, decoupled) and how can be applied the information axiom to choose among the orientation schemes that one (s) that are best suited for the declared purposes-minimum orientation errors. Introduction The main stages [1] within the fixture design process are setup planning, fixture planning, fixture unit design, and verification. The inputs to the design process are the work piece model (geometry and tolerances), the machining information (type of machining operation, tool path), and also other design considerations such as the desired: cost and weight of the fixture. The output of the design process is a completed fixture design, detailing component geometry and the materials listing. Setup planning determines the number of setups required to perform all the manufacturing processes, the task for each setup, e.g., the ongoing manufacturing process and work piece, orientation and position of the work piece in each setup. During fixture planning, the surfaces, upon which the locators and clamps must act, as well as the actual positions of the locating and clamping points on the work piece, are identified. The number and position of locating points must be such that the work piece is adequately constrained during the manufacturing process. In the third stage of fixture design, suitable units, (i.e., the locating and clamping units, together with the base plate), are generated. During the verification stage, the design is tested to ensure that all manufacturing requirements of the work piece can be satisfied. The design also has to be verified to ensure that it meets other design considerations that may include fixture cost, fixture weight, assembly time, and loading/unloading time of both the work piece and fixture units [1]. The primary objective of a fixturing scheme is to reduce the manufacturing error as related to the three types of fixed errors that are essentially caused by the positional and geometric locators’ variability and the geometric variability of the work piece itself [2]. In our paper are discussed the orientation schemes and consider that they are a combination between the fixture design stages of setup planning and fixture planning. Regarding their importance and particularizes, the link between the locating points/surfaces they have to be developed in the same time. Part Accuracy The dimensions and tolerances prescribed to parts, part accuracy (part manufacturing accuracy), are influenced by [3]: - related to errors propagation from one part setup to another (when the part needs more set-ups) and also from one operation to another; Fig. 1. Part’s specified dimensions [5].