Product category:
Measurement systems
News Release from: Witte Gerätebau, Horst | Subject: Modular measuring fixtures
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 April 2007
Modular fixturing system has advantages
Witte Bleckede has introduced Alufix Classic, Alufix Light, and Alugrip fixtures, providing a modular fixturing system which is fast, flexible and cost effective.
Companies often need measuring fixtures really fast Because this requirement can only be fulfilled using modular fixturing systems, a German manufacturer of die-cast parts has been working for well over a year with Alufix fixtures from Witte Bleckede
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Rapid prototyping builds inspection fixtures
Two fixturing systems have been combined by Witte to speed up up the measurement of components, without having to use special purpose milled components.
Modular fixturing system uses fewer components
A small number of low-cost, basic, extruded profiles with grooves and a grid provide high fixturing flexibility allow the user to build fixtures with less investment.
In the past the manufacturer worked with conventional fixture builders.
However, producing dedicated fixtures is costly and time consuming and above all offers no possibilities for modification.
Therefore this company decided to utilise the advantages of modular measuring fixtures.
Further reading
Vacuum clamping designed for inspection use
Mostly used in milling or other machining processes,vacuum clamping is becoming extremely useful in measuring and checking processes because of its many configuration possibilities.
Small, light gauges check details
A series of 20 different aluminium gauges for a German car manufacturer check whether important recesses and flush mountings are within predetermined tolerances.
Now complete fixtures are available to them within a week following a very simple procedure: after the necessary data has been made available in the form of sketches and/or sample parts, any special requirements as well as definition of the measuring points are discussed.
Then fixture assembly begins.
This period must be kept as short as possible as the final measuring fixture can always only be built after completion of the first prototype part.
The type of fixture and selection of system components are left to experienced Witte assembly staff.
Depending upon requirements they use Alufix Classic, Alufix Light, or Alugrip components.
When, after just one week, acceptance takes place on the Witte premises, any suggestions for improvement are integrated immediately thanks to the modularity of the systems.
A substantial time advantage is achieved by the exclusive use of standard components.
The preparation individual parts is excluded from the beginning.
"Sometimes only a few days are at our disposal from receiving the order to the approval procedure", explains Bernd Winowsky, project manager at Witte Bleckede, "as we are a well-rehearsed team, completion of the entire project runs smoothly and quickly.
Meanwhile Witte has produced numerous different fixtures for this particular customer.
The procedure was basically always the same with taking just 4 working days from order to supply.
For the user however not only fast fixture building is important, but also that the time required for measuring is reduced to a minimum.
Therefore amongst other versions "measuring gauges', fixtures with integrated dial gauges or electro-pneumatic data acquisition, are often requested.
Immediately after mounting it is easy to see if a part lies within the tolerances required.
If there are large deviations a detailed examination of the part on a coordinate measuring machine would follow on.
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