Virtual Evaluation of Machining Fixtures for Flexible Manufacturing Systems VEMF-FMS
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Högskolan i Skövde |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | August 2024 - April 2025 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Circularity - FFI |
| Call | Circularity - FFI - spring 2024 |
Important results from the project
This prestudy explored industry needs and the state of the art through discussions with industrial partners. It identified knowledge gaps for developing a virtual fixture environment in flexible manufacturing and created a roadmap to address them. A state-of-the-art method for modeling nonlinear contact dynamics in built-up structures was adapted and shown to be important in machining simulations. Codes were developed for FE implementation, with promising potential for virtual tool development.
Expected long term effects
The project highlighted the role of contact dynamics in virtually assessing machining outcomes and outlined a roadmap for building a reliable virtual environment for fixture performance evaluation. This supports the shift toward sustainable, flexible machining systems, reducing reliance on dedicated lines that are often discarded with product changes—contributing to greater manufacturing circularity.
Approach and implementation
The project collected industrial input and adapted emerging technologies to predict the dynamics of machining assemblies. A key focus was developing user elements to model contact nonlinearity in Finite Element analysis. Experimental studies using impact hammers, piezo discs, accelerometers, and tensile tests revealed persistent nonlinear behavior in built-up assemblies. These findings enabled accurate parameter extraction for simulations in machining and Finite Element modeling.