Series Introduction
CNC Vises & 2,4,6 Blocks
Workholding and fixturing are arguably one of the most challenging parts of being a machinist. Through the years, we’ve learned and shared several different ways to think about holding onto parts. In this video, we’ll cover several different ways to use CNC vises and 2,4,6, blocks. Hopefully this provides solutions or helps you generate new ideas for job shop parts or prototyping!
Soft Jaws
Soft jaws are an excellent way to hold workpieces and reduce the amount of setups when using a CNC milling machine! Soft jaws are extremely versatile and are often able to be reused. This workholding technique has been one of our go-to methods when there isn’t a good place to hold onto the part for Op2.
Holding Round Parts
Expanding mandrels, chucks, and 5C Collets are great ways to hold round material in a CNC mill in a vise, mounted directly to a fixture plate, or a 4th Axis! Let’s walk through various fixturing examples we’ve used and hopefully help spark new ideas for holding your CNC projects.
Fixturing methods for parts too large for a traditional 6″ vise.
Let’s cover how to use low profile mod vises, super glue fixturing for large parts, brass toe clamps, mid-machining fixture repositioning, how to add manual NCs in Fusion 360, and more!
CNC machining multiple parts for production.
Let’s cover workflows with Fusion 360 CAD, CAM, and various workholding strategies to machine multiple parts in each setup!
Custom workholding fixtures are great for production.
Designing fixtures that hold multiple parts ensures process reliability, fewer setups, and operations.
CNC Machining Workholding strategies for thin material and parts!
Thin parts will often flex if clamped in a traditional vise, so we need to use other methods such as clamping to a fixture plate, vacuum workholding, or superglue.
Super Glue Workholding Techniques!
This strategy provides access to all sides of the part without introducing flex. This video covers how to use this workholding technique on various materials, tips, tricks, and more!
Window machining and using tabs gets me excited!
In this workholding technique, the raw material becomes the fixture, which means flipping for Op 2 is a breeze. This strategy can works great for 3-Axis, 4-Axis, and 5-Axis machines. Let’s cover what window machining is, why it’s a great strategy, and how we’ve used it. Hopefully this inspires or helps you create even better ways to hold your parts!
In 4 and 5 axis machining, workholding size matters.
Choosing workholding that is too large for the machine or the part can prevent the spindle, tool, or toolholder from reaching the part or worse–the spindle may come into contact with the workholding device or machine table. Let’s cover using collets, chucks, combining workholding devices, tabbing, window machining, and how to hold complex parts without datums!