Modular System Speeds Fixturing for HMCs, VMCs

Bluco’s 5016 modular fixturing system combines a baseplate and more than 250 components to enable quick, accurate and flexible low-volume workholding for machining. Baseplates come with a pattern of alternating 16-mm hardened bushings (±0.0004" between centers) and M16 tapped holes along with alpha-numeric engraving to help identify hole location. These tight tolerances ensure that fixtures built on the system are right the first time and can be rebuilt a week, month or year later with the same accuracy, the company says. According to the company, a typical modular fixture can be designed, built and ready to run the first piece in less than an hour, a contrast with dedicated fixtures that take days or weeks to complete.

The system can be used in both vertical and horizontal machining centers, and the baseplates are customized to fit the dimensions of each specific CNC machine. For horizontal applications, larger blocks and knees are available, or baseplates can be mounted to new or existing tombstones.

For greater efficiency, quick-release mounts can be added for rapid change over between jobs. The machine operator can work on setting up the next job on an optional secondary baseplate while the current job runs.