Fixture for Milling Machine
Milling machines are essential tools in the manufacture, construction, and repair of metal and other materials. A fixture, or workholding device, is used in conjunction with the milling machine in order to securely hold the material being worked on. Fixtures are available in a variety of designs and applications, each with unique advantages over the other.
The most essential fixture for milling machines is known as a vice. This component attaches to the table of the machine and is used to hold objects securely while milling, cutting, or drilling. Vices come in a variety of sizes and capacities, and can be bolted down, clamped, or otherwise secured to the milling machine’s table surface.
Angle fixtures are also available for milling machines. These are used to set and hold an angled piece of material at a specific angular position in order to create cuts at various angles. Angular surfaces can also be created using a rotary indexing system such as a dividing head, which can be attached directly to the spindle of the milling machine.
Another type of fixture for milling machines is clamping devices. These are used to firmly attach a portion of the material to the table of the machine in order to securely hold the item while machining. These clamps range from large arbor or shoulder clamps which are used to hold longer cylindrical items, to smaller ones like collet chucks which are used to hold shorter round objects.
Other types of fixtures used in conjunction with milling machines include jigs and templates. Jigs are pre-made pieces of metal or acrylic with specially formed features and notches which allow the user to repeat precision machining operations with ease. Templates are similar to jigs, but they are wooden or aluminum shapes which can be used to quickly shape or form a piece of material.
Milling machines are versatile tools capable of performing various milling operations in a variety of industries. In conjunction with a properly selected fixture, it is possible to create complex shapes and components with exacting tolerances. Whether your needs call for standard clamping devices or the more specialized jigs and templates, there is a type of fixture that is right for your application.
