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Fixturing to Achieve Repeatable Results

Welding pump assemblies with precision & reliability

Author: Wendy Calcaterra

Published: April 19, 2023

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Industry

Industrial Equipment

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Challenge

Accuracy

Bluco modular fixture, welding positioner for pump assembly

Challenges

When marrying a manifold to a precision pump assembly, inconsistencies can cause major setbacks. For this manufacturer, the likelihood of inconsistencies increased every time the part was removed from the fixture for repositioning, or had to go from tacking to welding. Even worse, weld distortion had a way of pulling the outer tubes inward. Their old fixturing setup just wasn’t delivering what they needed.

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Solution

• Manual positioner

• Adjustable picture frame

• Modular components on each tube end

This custom solution holds the manifold at key areas to maintain alignment. Incremental adjustments as small as 1 mm can be made to outer tubes using clamps and spacers. Captain’s wheel allows welders to rotate parts for better reach without refixturing, and the adjustable picture frame accommodates varying product sizes.

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Result

Better welds in less time. That’s what happens when a workholding solution combines versatility & mobility with precision & reliability. Welders can now tack and weld the part complete in one go. And because the solution holds all 3 tubes firmly in place while also allowing minor adjustments, the team can easily control weld draw. They’ve achieved better fit-up to the pump assembly, better final part quality and easily repeatable results.

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Getting Started with bluco

1. Share your challenge

Upload a description of your workholding application and a CAD model of your part to our secure online portal. Submitting your info doesn’t mean you’ve made up your mind, it just starts a conversation.

2. Talk With Us

Within 1-2 days, an application engineer will call to set up a design consultation. We never contract out, so you’ll deal directly with Bluco and communications will be kept strictly confidential.

3. Review Your Proposal

Once we understand your challenges and goals, we’ll develop custom modular solutions. Then, we’ll review designs as well as purchase and rental options virtually. Check out the rest of our process here.