Assignment # 03-Tool Design
Assignment # 03-Tool Design
A fixture is a device for holding a work piece during machining operations. The name is
derived from the fact that a fixture is always fastened to a machine or bench in a fixed position. It
does not contain special arrangements for guiding the cutting tool. In a setup using a fixture the
responsibility for accuracy depends upon the operator and the construction of the machine tool.
Other type of tooling for positing parts relative to each for fabricating purpose are also referred
as fixture.
Drill jig not fastened to the machine on which it is used and may be moved around on the
table of the drilling machine to bring each bushing directly under the drill. Jigs physically limit
and control the path of the cutting tool.
A fixture holds the work piece during machining operation but does not contain special
arrangements for guiding the cutting tool, as drill jigs do. A fixture is also fixed to the machine.
The economic aspects of the use of a fixture can be considered on the following basis:
1. The production per year necessary to pay out of savings for a fixture of given estimated
cost.
2. The maximum allowable cost of a fixture to break even for a given saving in operating
cost per piece and specific number of parts produced during a year.
3. The number of year it will take to pay out of savings for the proposed fixture with a
given saving in operating cost per piece and given yearly production.
4. The net savings from the use of a fixture of a given cost, for an estimated saving in
operating cost per piece at a given output.
The base of mill fixture has a keyway running lengthwise. The base is provided with slots for
the purpose of clamping the fixture to the mill table. In the base two keys are used to align the
fixture on the milling-machine table. The keys are passed into the keyway at both ends of the
fixture and held there.
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6) What are the major advantages of magnetic and vacuum milling fixtures?
Magnetic milling fixtures have low-voltage great deals with more holding power because of
the increased efficiency of the magnetic path. The low-voltage feature ensures safety to the
operator and provides heat free holding.
Vacuum milling fixtures are being used for holding nonferrous and nonmagnetic parts for
milling operations where holding without distortion is vital.
Magnetic and Vacuum chucks can be more economical. These are used in production
milling.
7) What is the basic difference between a lathe fixture and other types of
fixtures?
Lathe fixture is commonly used for round work pieces and it revolves with work piece. On
the other hand, other fixtures are fixed on machine tables and these fixtures are not only use for
round work pieces but also used like for square, irregular and regular shapes.
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It is usually located on the faceplate by means of two dowel pins and secured by cap screws
inserted through the faceplate into tapped holes in the fixture or T bolts into T slots in the
faceplate.
The mandrels provide more holding power because the tapered head acts on the extreme ends
of the split and does not allow deflection. Plain mandrels have about a 0.006-in taper per foot.
There are, however, conditions unique to the grinding process that must be taken into
consideration. The grinding operation is usually a finishing operation where the work
piece dimensions are held to close tolerance; therefore great accuracy is required in the
design and construction of grinding fixture. Work pieces cannot deflect under clamping
pressure and locating methods must be precise and exacting. Location of work pieces is
made easier, however, since by the time they are ready for grinding.
11) What is the standard method of holding parts for surface grinding
operations?
The standard method of holding parts for surface grinding operations is magnetic
chucking. Work piece can be quickly mounted and removed and distortion caused by
mechanical clamping is eliminated. A number of parts can be mounted at one time, the
only restriction being the size of chuck.