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Fixturing Recap Quick Reference Guide

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Erik Huang
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62 views12 pages

Fixturing Recap Quick Reference Guide

Uploaded by

Erik Huang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fixturing

Recap Series
PROS & CONS
Quick Reference Guide

2021 Saunders Machine Works


1. Vise Work

Pros
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON WORKHOLDING TECHNIQUES

SIMPLE TO USE

HIGH CLAMPING FORCE

Cons
VISES CAN LIMIT Z TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY ON SMALLER MACHINES

LIMITED TO SQUARE PARTS

LIMITED TO PARTS THAT FIT INSIDE VISE

HEAVY TO INSTALL OR REMOVE FROM MACHINE

PRONE TO JAW LIFT


2. Soft Jaws

Pros
CAN BE MACHINED TO HOLD ODD-SHAPED PARTS

INEXPENSIVE

EASY TO SWAP SOFT JAWS FOR DIFFERENT PARTS

IDEAL FOR SMALL PRODUCTION RUNS

Cons
WEAR AND TEAR MAY LIMIT LIFESPAN

SPECIFIC TO ONE PART

TIME TO DESIGN AND MACHINE


3. Round Parts & Chucks

Pros
CONVENIENT WAY TO HOLD ROUND PARTS IN A MILL

COMMONLY AVAILABLE

CAN HOLD A RANGE OF PART SIZES

Cons
SETUP TIME TO MOUNT ON MACHINE TABLE

HEAVY OR CUMBERSOME TO LOAD AND UNLOAD

CLAMPING PRESSURE CAN DISTORT PARTS


4. Large Parts

Pros
SMW MOD VISE SYSTEM CAN SUPPORT PARTS ON FOUR SIDES

FIXTURE PLATES CAN ALLOW FOR FLEXIBLE SETUP WITH MOD VISES

AND STRAP CLAMPS

CAD & CAM SOFTWARE CAN ALLOW MULTIPLE INDEXES OF THE PART

Cons
LARGE PARTS CAN BE PRONE TO CHATTER

MAY NOT FIT IN MACHINE ENVELOPE


5. Multi-part Workholding

Pros
ABILITY TO MACHINE MULTIPLE PARTS PER CYCLE

SPREAD TOOL CHANGES ACROSS MULTIPLE PARTS

INCREASE CYCLE TIME TO ALLOW OPERATOR TO FOCUS ON OTHER TASKS

Cons
COST AND TIME OF CUSTOM FIXTURES AND HARDWARE

FIXTURES MAY NEED RE-MACHINED OR MAINTAINED OVER TIME

LARGE BATCHES OF PARTS CAN BE INFERIOR TO A ONE-PIECE-FLOW

TIME TO LOAD AND UNLOAD PARTS CAN INCREASE SPINDLE DOWNTIME


6. Custom Fixtures

Pros
IDEAL FOR LARGE PRODUCTION RUNS AND REPEAT WORK

HIGHER PART DENSITY

ABILITY TO INTEGRATE POKA-YOKE FEATURES

Cons
COST AND TIME OF FIXTURE AND HARDWARE

FIXTURE MAY BECOME OBSOLETE WITH PART DESIGN CHANGES

SETUP TIME WHEN SWITCHING JOBS


7. Vacuum - Thin Parts

Pros
CAN MACHINE MULTIPLE PARTS FROM A SINGLE SETUP

STRAP CLAMPS CAN INCREASE WORKHOLDING POWER

SANDPAPER CAN INCREASE HOLDING POWER

TRIMACO X-BOARD (HOME DEPOT) OR DATRON VACUCARD CAN

CREATE DIRECTIONAL VACUUM

Cons
Z HEIGHT IS CRITICAL

COST OF VACUUM PUMP AND VACUUM CHUCK

VACUUM PUMPS ARE LOUD

STRAP CLAMPS MAY NEED MOVED MID-OPERATION TO AVOID COLLISIONS

REQUIRES MINIMUM SURFACE AREA FOR ADEQUATE VACUUM


8. Superglue

Pros
OVERLOOKED TECHNIQUE FOR ONE-OFF PARTS AND R&D WORK

GREAT FOR HOLDING THIN OR ODD-SHAPED PARTS

INEXPENSIVE

DOES NOT IMPART CLAMPING PRESSURE ON WORKPIECE

Cons
NOT REUSABLE IF MAKING MULTIPLE PARTS

CAN BE DIFFICULT TO BREAK PART FREE

HEAT OR COOLANT CAN COMPROMISE GLUE

REQUIRES MINIMUM SURFACE AREA FOR ADEQUATE ADHESION


9. Tabbing & Window Machining

Pros
SELF-FIXTURING WORKFLOW

THIN OR FRAGILE PARTS CAN RETAIN RIGIDITY BY REMAINING CONNECTED

TO THE REST OF THE STOCK

4TH AND 5TH AXIS PARTS CAN BE FINISHED IN ONE OPERATION

USE CAM CONTAINER TEMPLATES TO AUTOMATE PROGRAMMING

Cons
CAN LEAVE A BURR OR TAB

MAY REQUIRE SLOTTING

REQUIRED FINE-TUNING TO GET THE BEST TAB THICKNESS

PROGRAMMING AND SETUP TIME


10. 4th & 5th Axis Work

Pros
REDUCED SETUPS TO FINISH A PART

MACHINE PARTS WITH COMPLEX GEOMETRY

CRITICAL FEATURES CAN BE COMPLETED IN A SINGLE SETUP

TOMBSTONES & CUSTOM FIXTURES FOR PRODUCTION PARTS

LENDS ITSELF TO AUTOMATION (ROBOT, PALLET CHANGES)

Cons
MACHINE AND EQUIPMENT COST

WORKHOLDING COST

TIME TO PROGRAM AND VERIFY TOOLPATHS

RISK OF CRASH
Free set of SMW 1/2" or 1/4" Fixturing Pins
with $50 Purchase

saundersmachineworks.com
enter coupon code at checkout

Use Code
FRSFREEPINS
*limit one use per customer

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