When it comes to manufacturing custom parts, it is important to be able to produce pieces of equipment both efficiently and accurately through a repeatable process. Although standard workholding equipment can facilitate many different kinds of production processes, certain industries often require custom workholding equipment to get the job done.
For example, in the aerospace, oil and gas, and medical device industries, just to name a few, it is extremely common for manufacturers to create products with irregular shapes, which means they require specialized workholding tools. As such, producing custom workholding equipment has become an entire industry in itself. However, there are few manufacturers out there who can meet the unique demands of specific manufacturing processes and industries.
In this article, we will take a look at a few examples of custom workholding equipment and how they play a crucial role in the production process.
Custom Workholding Equipment
There are many different types of custom workholding equipment specifically designed for a wide variety of manufacturing processes.
Customized Chucks
A chuck is a workholding device that is designed to securely grip a workpiece during the machining process. Although standard chucks are suitable for many applications, they are not always able to meet the needs of manufacturers when machining pieces with complex geometries and delicate components.
In certain industries, such as aerospace and medical device manufacturing, there are many intricate and irregularly shaped parts that require the use of specially designed chucks. These pieces of custom workholding equipment provide the required grip and stability, allowing the machining process to proceed with the greatest level of precision.
Customized Fixture Plates
Fixture plates, also known as tooling plates, serve as the foundation for securing workpieces during certain machining processes. Fixture plates are pieces of equipment that are typically flat with regularly spaced holes that are used to clamp workpieces to the fixture plate’s surface.
However, it may be necessary to use custom fixture plates to address specific challenges associated with irregularly shaped parts. Custom fixture plates feature strategically placed holes and slots for securing workpieces, ensuring that the material is held securely and consistently.
Customized Collets and Mandrels
Collets and mandrels are workholding devices used to hold workpieces within a lathe. While standard collets and mandrels are suitable for many tasks, it may be necessary to use customized workholding equipment when working with non-standard parts or in situations with limited access.
Industries such as automotive manufacturing and watchmaking often require custom collets and mandrels to ensure that parts are held securely on the lathe, allowing manufacturers to cut the pieces with exceptional precision.
Customize Rotary Tables and Indexers
When it comes to multi-axis machining, rotary tables and indexers are essential pieces of equipment that allow manufacturers to produce consistent and precise results. They are often used to create molds and dies for processes such as die casting and plastic injection molding, but they are also commonly found in a variety of other industries where precision manufacturing is a must. These include the automotive, electronics, and firearms industries.
However, certain industries often have a need for custom rotary tables and indexers to achieve specialized manufacturing processes. For example, custom rotary tables and indexers play a big role in the production of gears, cams, and aerospace components.
Customized Precision Tools From PAWS Workholding
Here at PAWS Workholding, we understand that in order to make high-precision parts, you need high-precision tools. When you work with PAWS Workholding, you’ll receive custom workholding equipment that is designed around your specific needs.
With over 60 years of combined experience in creating custom workholding equipment, PAWS Workholding has the knowledge, resources, and skills to produce workholding solutions for a wide variety of manufacturing processes.
Located in Clio, Michigan, our shop is fully equipped with the necessary technology, machinery, and engineers to design and manufacture custom workholding equipment, and we ship nationwide.
Click here to get in touch with PAWS Workholding today!
