Fixture (tool)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A fixture is a work-holding or support device used in the manufacturing industry. What makes a fixture unique is that each one is built to fit a particular part or shape. The main purpose of a fixture is to locate and in some cases hold a workpiece during either a machining operation or some other industrial process.[1] A jig differs from a fixture in that it guides the tool to its correct position in addition to locating and supporting the workpiece.[1][2]
The primary purposes of jigs and fixtures is to:[1]
- Reduce the cost of production
- Maintain consistent quality
- Maximize efficiency
- Enable a variety of parts to be made to correct specifications
- Reduce operator errors
Types of Fixtures: General Purpose - They are usually relatively inexpensive and can be used to hold a variety and range of sizes of workpieces (examples: Vises, chucks, split collets).
Special Purpose - They are designed and built to hold a particular workpiece for a specific operation on a specific machine or process.
[edit] See also
- ^ a b c Drake, C. (1989). Proper Fixturing. In Metals Handbook (9th Ed.), Vol. 16 Machining (pp. 404-410). USA: ASM International.
- ^ Groover, M. (2007). The fundamentals of modern manufacturing. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and sons, inc.
