A Vacuum Fixture is the difference between a part that measures correctly once and a part that measures correctly every time. Designed for aerospace structural machining, this Vacuum Fixture is produced in a modular grid and reusable clamping kit with fixture design around drawing datums with clamped, verified location. The figures below are the ones recorded at tryout rather than theoretical values.
Tolerance is applied where it does work rather than across the whole drawing. Critical features are held to repeatability within 0.01 mm, non-critical dimensions follow the general machining tolerance, and the difference is stated in the quotation rather than discovered later.
Specification
| Process | Fixture design around drawing datums with clamped, verified location |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | a modular grid and reusable clamping kit |
| Size / capacity | repeatability of 0.01 mm |
| Tolerance | repeatability within 0.01 mm |
| Surface finish | hardened locating pads and clamps |
| Application | vacuum fixture for aerospace structural machining |
| Inspection | Dimensional report, material certificate, first article report on request |
| Lead time | 7–15 working days for samples, 3–4 weeks for production |
| Minimum order | 1 piece for prototypes, from 50 pieces for production pricing |
Manufacturing process
Work is carried out with fixture design around drawing datums with clamped, verified location. Tooling, speeds and fixturing are recorded with the part number, so a repeat order starts from a proven process instead of a fresh setup.
Material is purchased against a certificate and checked on receipt, so the composition is known before any cutting starts. Work in progress is identified by part number and operation, and the finished parts are deburred, cleaned and protected before they leave the machine area.
Typical applications
Most of the work supplied in this category falls into the following examples.
- Holding thin wall housings for machining.
- Locating parts for robotic welding.
- Assembly of instrument sub-assemblies.
- Drilling hole patterns in repeat batches.
- Inspection of critical interfaces.
Quality control and documentation
Critical features are measured on calibrated equipment in a controlled room, and the results are filed with the job so that a repeat order can be compared with the first.
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports and first article inspection reports are issued with the shipment where the application requires them. Calibration dates and measurement uncertainty are recorded alongside every result.
Ordering, lead time and packaging
Packaging is specified by the part: individual protection for finished surfaces, separation for assemblies, and export crating with a packing list for shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Why build a dedicated fixture instead of using a vice?
A vice locates the part approximately and needs indicating every time. A fixture locates from the drawing datums, so parts are loaded correctly in seconds and measure the same way.
Are fixtures kept between orders?
Yes. Fixtures are retained for the life of the part number, which is why a repeat batch runs on the same setup as the first one with no re-proving.
How long does delivery take?
Sample parts are typically shipped in 7 to 15 working days after drawing approval. Production batches run 3 to 4 weeks depending on quantity, finishing and inspection requirements.
Drawings are reviewed for manufacturability before quotation, and any feature that adds cost without adding function is pointed out at that stage rather than after the parts are made.
