08-05-2025

Introduction
• Fixture is a work-holding device utilised to securely position,
support, and affix a workpiece in a stable position

• It comprises of different work holding devices, which are

clamped on the machine table to hold the work in requisite
position.

• Unlike jigs, fixtures do not guide the tool.

Fundamental Differences
• A jig guides the tool in addition to holding the workpiece
but the fixture only position the workpiece.

• A fixture is heavier in construction and bolted on the

machine table, whereas the jigs are lighter for quicker
handling.

• The fixtures are employed for holding the work in case

of milling or turning operations, whereas jigs are used
for holding the work & guiding the tool in drilling, taping
operations. Fig: Jig (L) and Fixture (R)

2
 08-05-2025

Advantages
• It increases machining accuracy, as the workpiece is properly located and tool is guided.

• It reduces the operator’s labour and consequent fatigue as handling operations are
minimized.

• It increases production capacity by enabling a number of workpieces to be machined in a

single set up.

• It reduces expenditure on the quality control of the finished products.

• It reduces the overall cost of machining by fully or partly automatizing the processes.

Elements of Jig & Fixture

• Body: It is a plate, box or frame type
structure where components are located
for machining. The body should be quite
sturdy and rigid.

• Locating elements: These elements

locate the workpiece in a proper
position with respect to the cutting
tool.

• Clamping elements: These elements Fig: Elements of Jig and Fixture

firmly secure workpiece in the located
position.

3
 08-05-2025

Elements of Jig & Fixture

• Positioning elements: These have different types of fastening devices and it is used to
secure Jig or Fixture to machine at the proper position.

• Grinding and setting elements: These elements guide the cutting tool in case of jig and
help in proper tool acting in case of the fixture.

Location
• The location refers to the establishment of a desired relation between the
workpiece and jig or fixture.

• The jigs and fixture must be designed in such a way that all possible movement
of the workpiece must be restricted.

• The locating points are determined by first finding out the possible degree of
freedom of the workpiece, which are then restricted by a suitable arrangement
termed as locators.

4
 08-05-2025

Principle of Location
• In the fig, it can be observed that the rectangular block is free
to move along the three axis X, Y and Z.

• The body can also rotate about this three axis as well,
thus the total DOF six.

• In order to locate the block accurately, this six movements

has to be restricted by arranging suitable locating points
and then clamping the block in position.

Fig: DOF of a rectangular

block in space

10

Six point / 3-2-1 location of a rectangular block

• To made the block rest on the jig body, it has to be located by using locating points, 3 base
pins, 2 pins in vertical plane, and 1 pin perpendicular to first two planes.

• The bottom of the block is supported against three points, the rear face against two points
and the side of block rests against single points, all protruding from jig body.

Fig: Side,
front and
top view
of the
locating
pins

5
 08-05-2025

11

Continuation
• The three supporting pins restricts the downward movement of block along Z-axis.

• The movement along X and Y-axis are restricted by using double and single pins
respectively.

• The rotary movements of block about Y, Z and X-axis are also restricted by bottom, back,
and side pins.

• Thus these six points serves to locate the block correctly while restraining all the
movements.

12

Six point location of a three legged object

• The object is resting on pointed legs on a flat surface.

• It is thus prevented to move along CD axis, and rotating

about EF & AB axis.

6
 08-05-2025

13

• In the fig, it can be observed that front legs are made

ball ended and are made to rest on a V-groove.

• The spherical balls makes perfect mating surface

with V-groove.

• Thus the object is restrained to move along AB and

rotation about CD.

14

• In fig, it can be observed that the rear leg also

made ball ended and is made to rest on a
separate V-groove set at right angle to first one.

• The body is now perfectly restrained against any

movement.

7
 08-05-2025

15

Methods of Location
• There are different methods of locating a • Types of locators:
workpiece.
1. Flat Locator
2. Cylindrical Locator
3. Conical locator
• A particular locating arrangement is selected only 4. Jack pin Locator
after careful study about the type of work, type of 5. Drill bush Locator
operation, amount of accuracy required etc.
6. Fixed V Locator
7. Sliding Locator
8. Outside pin Locator

16

Flat Locator
• Flat type locators are used for locating flat
surfaces of component.

• An undercut clearance is provided at the

bottom for collecting small metal chips or
the dust particles.

• Horizontal button flat locator is better than

the Vertical button flat locator as it has the
capacity to handle more end loads and
have provision for clearance.

8
 08-05-2025

17

Cylindrical Locator
• The cylindrical locators are used in case of
components having drilled holes.

• Undercut is provided around the locator along the

work table for having proper clearance.

• The working surface of the locator is inserted

inside the drilled hole of the component to locate it
in the position.

18

Conical Locator
• Conical locators are used locating components
having drilled holes.

• This locator is superior compared to the

cylindrical one because of its ability to
accommodate variation in hole diameter of the
component.

9
 08-05-2025

19

Jack pin Locator

• Jack pin locators are used for supporting workpiece
from the bottom, while locating it.

• Mainly rough and unmachined components are

located by jack pin locator.

• The height of the pins are adjustable to

accommodate the variation in surface texture of the
component.

20

Drill bush Locator

• It is used to locate the cylindrical workpieces.

• The drill bush and jig body have conical

openings for locating purpose.

• The drill bush sometimes serves the purpose of

guiding the tool.

10
 08-05-2025

21

V Locator (Fixed/Sliding)
• These locators are used for components having
circular and semi circular profiles.

• This locator can be of two types fixed V locator

and adjustable V locator.

• The fixed type locator is normally fixed on the jig

and adjustable locator can be moved axially.

• The standard included angle for V-block is 90˚.

22

Outside pin Locator

• These are used for locating components having
odd and irregular surface profiles.

• The pins are provided on the contours of the

outer profile of the workpiece.

11
 08-05-2025

23

Clamping
• The clamps serves the purpose of holding the work pieces securely on the jigs or fixtures
against the cutting forces.

• The principles of clamping are as follows:

Types of Clamps:

1. Screw clamp
1. Hold the work rigidly against the disturbing forces. 2. Flat clamp
2. Keep the work firmly in contact with the locating pins. 3. Pivoted clamp
3. Quicker loading and unloading consideration. 4. Equalizing clamp
4. Should not distort or loosen when subjected to vibrations. 5. Latch clamp
6. Swing plate clamp
5. Should not damage the work.
7. Double acting clamp
6. Should be simple and fool proof. 8. Wedge clamp
9. Cam clamp

24

Screw Clamp
• It is used to clamp the workpieces on the edges of the
jig or fixture.

• To clamp or unclamp any work, longer duration is

required.

• Large amount of effort has to be made to clamp or

unclamp a particular work.

• After clamping, a mark is left on the surface of the work.

12