exclusively with modular fixtures, although space constraints would have required it to be fit and welded in several sequences. The use of custom plates to hold the tubing simplifies setup and allows the entire part to be assembled and welded at once. In our second example, a user took advantage of the indexing function of the table system holes to create a variable custom fixture for orbital welding. The fixtures drop into the system holes of the table and fixtures. They can be designed to have holes that tightly register with the table system holes or slots and provide some sideto side adjustment — Figs. 4, 5. The fixtures themselves can have a compact footprint with a simplified feature set because they do not require as many adjustment features to be built into them. A fixture that must be 28 in. off the reference surface can be designed to sit on top of a 24-in. modular fixture instead of having to machine and store a 28-in.-tall fixture or split and redesign a 28-in. fixture into two 14-in.-long components to meet the envelope constraints of a machining center. Conclusion Modular fixturing systems play an expanding role in modern manufacturing operations and can bring improvements to numerous aspects of the fabrication process. The benefits of modular fixturing increase as the need for leaner, more flexible production grows. 80 WELDING JOURNAL / JUNE 2016 PAM FARLEY (pam@stronghandtools.com) is marketing manager, Strong Hand Tools®, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Fig. 4 — Custom and modular fixtures holding complicated geometry. Fig. 5 — A closeup view of custom fixtures and slots to provide minute lateral adjustment. WJ For info, go to aws.org/adindex
Welding Journal | June 2016
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