Synergistic integration of vibration absorption and damping into 3D-printed fixtures for thin-wall machining

To reduce vibration during machining and to avoid re-manufacture or scrap parts, two main methods have been proposed, vibration damping and absorption. In this paper, a novel synergistic integration between both techniques using pillar elements known as flexures (acting as absorbers) and a flexible pneumatic expandable diaphragm (acting as a damper) is presented. Four setups have been compared: the proposed Hybrid Fixture, a traditional solid vice, a flexures fixture, and an expandable diaphragm-only clamp. The Hybrid Fixture was able to reduce the workpiece vibration by 58% and the surface waviness by 74.1% when compared with the traditional solid fixture.