AiVibeWorkholding
Workholding is the set of devices that locate and clamp a workpiece on a machine tool, such as vices, chucks, collets, fixtures, tombstones, vacuum and magnetic chucks and zero-point clamping systems.
Workholding must position the part repeatably and hold it rigidly against cutting forces without distorting it. Locating follows the 3-2-1 principle, in which three points define a primary plane, two a secondary plane and one a tertiary plane, after which clamps apply force against the locators. Milling uses vices, fixture plates, dedicated fixtures and tombstones; turning uses three-jaw and four-jaw chucks, collets and centres; thin or non-ferrous parts may use vacuum chucks, and ferrous plates magnetic chucks.
Good workholding shortens setups, allows several parts per cycle and makes unattended machining possible. Zero-point clamping systems and standardised fixture plates let a pre-loaded fixture be swapped in seconds with known position, and soft jaws machined to the part shape give secure, accurate gripping for turned and milled parts.
Weak or poorly supported workholding is a common cause of chatter, dimensional error and scrapped parts, while excessive clamping force can distort thin-walled parts that spring back after unclamping. Automated cells often use hydraulic or pneumatic clamping with pressure or position monitoring. Chuck speed limits, clamping force data and maintenance requirements in the OEM documentation must be followed.
Key points
- Locates and clamps the part repeatably and rigidly
- The 3-2-1 principle defines how a part is located
- Zero-point systems allow fast, repeatable fixture changes
- Too little rigidity causes chatter; too much force distorts thin parts
Where AiVibe comes in
AiVibe designs and manufactures the AiAmbA AI Factory: edge devices plus AI agents that let people talk to CNC, PLC and robot controllers in plain language. Agents only propose changes, and a trained operator confirms each one.