Watch Innovative Fixturing Makino demonstrates the latest techniques and technologies in fixturing. Check out presentations on fixture economics, fixture design, modular fixturing, new technology in CNC workholding as well as case studies of shops using innovative fixturing.
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Now we're taking a look at a very different kind of a modular fixturing for larger parts. This is really not new, and the title of our presentation is for innovative fixturing, so I'll just touch on this. This type of modular fixturing is big with aerospace applications.

On the left there you see a vacuum fixture. This is a very common and a good way to hold larger parts, especially for aerospace where you have thin walls. If you start with a solid piece of aluminum, you machine it down to a very thin wall piece, and often times the best way to hold that particular part is with a vacuum fixture, eliminating interference with clamps and things like that. You're looking at a similar concept on the right but a very different type of application. This is a large magnetic type fixture, and again a key advantage is that this particular fixture is a large steel work piece and the fixture causes no risk or problems with clamps interfering. This frees up the work zone and approach of the tool to the work piece.