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
[Link]
enter coupon code at checkout
Use Code
FRSFREEPINS
*limit one use per customer
