FIXTURES
Most of our customers require fixtures to machine parts but some use our fixtures for deburring or welding. We have designed and built custom workholding fixtures for the automotive, sporting good, healthcare, energy and agriculture industries. We have designed and built custom workholding fixtures to hold aluminum and magnesium die castings, sand castings, forgings and bar stock. Our fixtures can be fully integrated into robotic cells or manually loaded on single stand-alone machines.
When choosing an engineering partner to develop your next custom workholding fixture, consider our experience. We’ve designed grinding fixtures for parts that weigh a fraction of an ounce and for parts that need to be loaded with a crane. Big or small, the same principles apply. Fixtures need to be repeatable, reliable, durable and they need to produce good parts.
CUSTOM WORKHOLDING
PNEUMATIC WORKHOLDING
Most of our customers require fixtures to machine parts but some use our fixtures for deburring or welding. We have designed and built custom workholding fixtures for the automotive, sporting good, healthcare, energy and agriculture industries. We have designed and built custom workholding fixtures to hold aluminum and magnesium die castings, sand castings, forgings and bar stock. Our fixtures can be fully integrated into robotic cells or manually loaded on single stand-alone machines.
HYDRAULIC WORKHOLDING
Our engineers have developed innovative methods to locate, clamp and support even the most delicate parts. Our engineers utilize sequencing and pressure reduction to designing pneumatic and hydraulic fixtures to your exact specifications. Hydraulic fixtures designs are always created with internal plumbing. The tombstones become giant manifold blocks with a network of long gun-drilled holes that supply the clamps and work supports from inside. This eliminates the maze of steel tubing that typically surrounds a hydraulic fixture leaving a clean space for your operator and programmer to work. Fixtures that are internally plumbed, using manifold mounted components are more reliable and are easier to use and maintain.
MANUAL WORKHOLDING
Manual fixtures are ideal for heavier more rigid parts. They’re also a good option for short-run production. We have the expertise to design a simple and reliable manual workholding fixtures using robust components and superior design techniques. Utilizing a manual fixture is a cost-effective way to run lower volume parts or parts with longer cycle times. Manual fixtures can be designed to work on both horizontal or vertical machine tools.
CUSTOM GAUGING
CMM FIXTURES
Fixtures aren’t just used to machine parts; they’re also used to inspect parts. Quality engineers face the same problems as design engineers. Odd shaped parts are as difficult to inspect as they are to machine. Inspection fixtures are used at the machine on the CMM or on the surface plate. While an inspection fixture doesn’t have to be designed to withstand the rigor of the manufacturing process it does follow the same principles of location, support, and stabilization. Like CNC machine tools on the shop floor, CMM’s are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity in the manufacturing process.
FUNCTIONAL GAUGING
Our team has the ability to design and build simple functional gauges to be used at the machine or in the inspection room. Functional gauges at the machine will target specific machined features making your operator the first line of defense against costly errors. Non-conforming parts are identified immediately so process can be stopped and adjusted.