Workholding

Designing and machining top jaws for precision chucking applications.

Choosing the best clamping method.

Proper fixturing is critical when machining aerospace components.

An effective chuck maintenance program clears the air of flying parts.

A look at the collet--the 'other' workholding device. Even though collets' roots are firmly planted in the past, they remain an integral part of today's tooling designs.

Modular fixturing offers a flexible and reusable alternative to dedicated fixtures. This article discusses the benefits of modular fixturing and the types of jobs for which a modular system makes economic sense. A description of typical modular fixturing components and how they are used is also provided.

When shouldered parts are held for turning with a draw-in collet, length-control problems can result. This article provides directions for making collet add-ons that allow the machinist to locate the part against the spindle face, providing a consistent length from part to part.

This article guides the reader through the many decisions that must be made when selecting and installing a hydraulic workholding system. Basic hydraulic system design principles and maintenance also are discussed.

This article reviews the fixturing innovations users are beginning to see on the market. Some of the discussion focuses on the design criteria that has emerged out of an ongoing NIST-funded study.

Vacuum chucks can be useful for holding parts that are thin, irregularly shaped, large and flat or easily marred. This article describes the components and machining required to build a vacuum chuck in-house. Accompanying Articles discuss the commercial units that are available and the use of router bits to reduce the lift on vacuum-chucked parts.