Types of Fixtures:
Following are the types of Fixtures according to the type of machine operations for which they are used.
[1] Lathe (Turning) Fixture
[2] Milling fixtures
[3] Grinding fixture
[4] Assembling fixture
[5] Welding Fixture
[6] Fixture for broaching
Description of different types of fixtures:
1. Lathe (Turning) Fixture:
[1] The standard work holding devices or fixtures for a lathe are, 3 and 4 jaw chucks collets, face plate, mandrels etc.
[2] Three Jaw Chucks are used to hold round or hexagonal bar stock or other symmetrical work.
[3] Four Jaw Chucks are used for rough castings and square or octagonal work.
[4] Collets are used primarily for bar stock.
[5] Face plates can be mounted and supported to some types of jobs like pipe elbow.
[6] Mandrels supported and held hollow jobs such as gear blanks and pulleys.
[7] Milling Vice can be mounted on lathe bed in place of compound rest, to hold the work and the cutter is inserted in the lathe spindle.
2. Milling Fixture:
[1] A milling fixture is a work holding device, firmly clamped or attached to the table of the milling machine.
[2] It holds the work piece in correct position as the table movement carries it past the cutter.
[3] It performs different types of milling operations.
[4] The Milling fixture base can be secured to the table by means of T-bolts and nuts.
3. Grinding Fixture:
The work holding devices for grinding operations will depend upon the type of grinding operation and the machine used.
Mandrel: The mandrel is used for internal chucking of round work piece with bores. The work piece is located and held on the mandrel with the help of the bore so that the external surface may be machined truly concentric to the bore.
Taper, straight and combined taper and straight mandrels are used as fixture for external grinding.
Chucks: For grinding internal surfaces of simple circular work pieces, the chuck may be used as standard work holding devices. Vacuum and magnetic types of chucks are used for this purpose.
Figure: Application of Grinding and Assembly Fixture
4. Assembling Fixture: They are used to hold the various components in their correct position while they are assembled. This is particularly the case when the various parts are to be put together for welding. They are simple and effective means used to mechanize the manual assembly operations. Universal and special purpose fixtures are falls in this category.
5. Welding Fixture: [1] Welding fixtures are normally designed to hold and support the various components (work pieces) to be welded. [2] It is necessary to support them in a proper location which is capable of preventing distortions in work pieces during welding. [3] For this the locating elements need to be placed carefully, clamping has to be light but firm, placement of clamping elements has to be clear of the welding area.
6. Broaching Fixture: Broaching fixture is used for internal broaching operations. In the simple broaching fixture, a round hole, supporting flange is located and secured with T bolts to face plate of the machine. Broaching fixtures hold the job rigidly, locate the job in correct position relative to the tool of the machine table and guide the broaching tool in relation to the job.