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The key to efficient production on any CNC milling machine is custom fixturing. The goal is to load as many parts into the machine as possible. And, if the fixturing can be palletized, then downtime is minimized while changing loads. Consideration must be given to accurate locating, stability, freedom from obstructions, and allowance for tooling. Special programming techniques are used to accurately and reliably instruct the machine to index from part to part. It is generally very easy to adapt the single part program to utilize high density fixturing for multiple parts. I’ve been designing custom fixtures for the TS-Aligner parts for nearly a decade. Some have been designed for CNC retrofit knee mills and some for full sized machining centers. No machine is too small or too big for custom fixturing. It sure beats loading parts in and out of vises one at a time! Below are a few examples showing various features and design elements.
Small parts fixture This fixture was designed for parts measuring 3/4" square by 1.5" long. A large amount of space was required between rows to allow for large tooling (a saw blade). The fixture holds a total of 42 parts.
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Copyright 2007 Edward J. Bennett Company All rights reserved. |
