SGER: Flexible Fixturing with Phase-Change Materials

探索性研究基金(SGER)用于研究和开发具有电流变(ER)和磁流变(MR)相变材料的柔性夹具。基本概念植根于某些类别的材料从流体变成固体然后再变成流体的能力。研究方案包括(1)材料性能与综合；(2)具有良好定位精度的柔性夹具设计方法。使用电流变和磁流变材料来装夹零件是一个新的概念。潜在的应用包括用于机械加工的复杂零件的夹具。

This Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) is to investigate and develop flexible fixtures with electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) phase-change materials. The basic concept is rooted in the ability of certain classes of materials to change from a fluid to a solid and back to a fluid again. The research plan includes (1) material properties and synthesis and (2) methods of flexible fixture design with good locating accuracy. The use of ER and MR materials for fixturing of parts is a novel concept. Potential applications include fixturing of complex parts for machining operations.