Jigs And Fixtures

A jig is a special device which holds, or supports, or is placed on a part to be machined. It is a production tool so made that it not only locates and holds the workpiece, but it also guides the cutting tool as the operation is performed. Jigs are usually fitted with hardened steel bushings for guiding drills or other cutting tools. A fixture is a production tool used to locate accurately and to hold securely one or more work-pieces so that the required machining operations can be performed. A fixture should be securely fastened to the table or the machine upon which the work is done. Though used largely on milling machines, fixtures are also designed and used to hold work for various operations on most of the standard machine tools. The main purpose of a fixture is to locate the work quickly and accurately, support it properly, and hold it securely. The point of jigs and fixtures: Jigs and fixtures are production-work holding devices used to manufacture duplicate parts accurately. The correct relationship and alignment between the cutter, or other tool, and the work-piece must be maintained. To do this, a jig or fixture is designed and built to hold, support, and locate every part to ensure that each process of drilled or machined within the specified limits.

ADVANTAGE:
Productivity: jigs and fixtures eliminate individual marking, positioning and frequent checking. This reduces operation time and increases productivity Interchangeability: jigs and fixtures facilitate uniform quality in manufacture. There is no need for selective assembly. Any parts of the machine fit properly in assembly, and all similar components are interchangeable Skill Reduction: jigs and fixtures simplify locating and clamping of the workpieces. Tool guiding elements ensure correct positioning of the tools with respect to the workpieces. There is no need for skillful setting of the workpiece of tool. Cost Reduction: higher production, reduction in scrap, easy assembly and savings in labor costs result in substantial reduction in the cost of workpieces produced with jigs and fixtures

All fixtures consist of this following elements:

Work piece geometry Part geometry, created or imported, pocket milled and drilled. Fixture base. Predefined base or own created tooling plate. Adequate size for holding. Adequate thickness to resist distortion. Locators A locator is usually a fixed component of a fixture. It is used to establish and maintain the position of a part in the fixture by constraining the movement of the part. For workpieces of greater variability in shapes and surface conditions, a locator can also be adjustable. Clamps A clamp is a force-actuating mechanism of a fixture. The forces exerted by the clamps hold a part securely in the fixture against all other external forces. Supports A support is a fixed or adjustable element of a fixture. When severe part displacement/deflection is expected under the action of imposed clamping and processing forces, supports are added and placed below the workpiece so as to prevent or constrain deformation. Supports in excess of what is required for the determination of the location of the part should be compatible with the locators and clamps.

Fixture accessories -Final selected components. -To locate the base. -Hoist rings- lift fixture in place. -Sure-lock fixture keys locate fixture accurately on machine table. -T-nuts, studs and flange fasten base to machine. Checking tool clearance -To ensure tools do not interfere with the fixture. -Interference happen- edition in base or standard parts.

Assembly drawing -First step in documenting. -Detailing components in fixture design assembly.

Basedetail drawing -drawing views with part or component dimension -for manufacturing and production references -top and front.

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EXPLODE VIEW