Abstract
The dimensional quality of an automotive body mostly relies on the fixture locator strategies and part to part joineries in a BIW. Multiple fixture locator strategies are employed to control and improve dimensional quality of a Body in White (BIW). The objective of this study was to create a guideline to select appropriate fixture locators among different locator pin types with respect to different joinery configurations in a BIW. Fixture is a work holding device used for locating and holding the work piece in the proper position. Fixture locator pins were chosen based on the locating features available in the work piece. The following fixture locating strategies were studied, 1) Both 4-way locator pins for both 4-way locator holes of assembly panels 2) One 4-way locator pin and one 2-way locator pin in both 4-way locator holes of assembly panels. An industrial experiment was carried out using different locator strategies for studying the automotive body accuracy. The observations were tabulated in contingency table and analyzed to find the optimal locating strategy for slip to slip joinery with both 4-way locating holes in the assembling panels. The developed locator strategy provides recommendations to the process developer in selecting an appropriate 4-way or 2-way locator pin combinations for different BIW joineries.