A Template for Success

Challenge

When a part is the key to the assembly of a larger piece of equipment, there’s no room for error — that part needs to be fixtured for a precision weld. In this case, the fixture also needed to be able to handle two families of frames of varying sizes, and it had to keep the pivot/cylinder bushings aligned and spaced accurately to avoid rework during the assembly process.

Solution

3D welding table

Custom fixture design template

A welding table with a modular kit that includes v-blocks for holding custom pins and sleeves. Double density bore pattern means components can be moved to any position to accommodate any frame size. A custom setting template (shown on the far bottom left) allows for quick setup and easy, repeatable changeover of every frame fixture.

Results

The modular solution saves time on the front end, since the template makes setup a no-brainer. Easy to use modular components save additional time during changeover between frame fixtures. In addition, assembly issues resulting from frame inaccuracies are greatly reduced. Accurate results are now easily repeatable, rework is all but eliminated and productivity — as well as quality — are greatly improved.