Assembly Modification Fixture

The job was to make modifications to 4 separate parts. There were 700+ pieces of each part.

I determined that by assembling 3 of the parts I could then simply fixture one assembly and modify 3 parts in one setup.

The block in the picture provides both a reference point and support to the assembly while machining.

Here you can see the assembled parts located on the fixture ready to be clamped.

Here is a view with the air cylinders activated clamping the part .

I used air cylinders with an integral return spring to simplify the plumbing. One air cylinder would have provided sufficient clamping force for the machining operation, but it was more cost effective to use 2 air cylinders instead of having to machine a cross member to clamp the part.

Instant tube fittings and inexpensive 1/4" OD tubing make quick connections to the machines M-Function controlled solenoid air valves.

Here is a close up showing the clamped parts after modification.

The machines M-Function programmable air blast was used to clear all the chips while the table was being moved to the parts change location. After a short delay allowing the part to be removed, another blast of air clears any chips off the top of the fixture. Another time saving step resulting in faster cycle times and reduced labor.

A view of the bulkhead fittings and table fixture plate which allow quick fixture changeover.

The fourth part was easy to fixture using the stainless pins shown in the picture to the right. Because of the relatively low number of parts I was able to simply use an aluminum fixture without fear of fixture wear causing any problems.

Several pieces of resilient rubber were used to ensure that adequate pressure was exerted onto each of the 80 parts on the fixture.

Socket head cap screws were used in the tie bars and they were tightened with a torque sensing power tool to not only speed parts change over but to ensure equal force from each screw.

A close up of the parts on the fixture and the tie bars.