Workpiece positioning and fixation

Purpose

Workpieces can contain reference features such as datum holes that are used for measurement, calibration, fixation, or storage. This page shows how to use that information to position and fixate the workpiece during fixture design.

Load the project Fixture_Training_FixationPin.cendoc from this tutorial library.

Steps

1. Positioning the workpiece

1.1 Define workpiece orientation from a datum hole

Use Picking and Alignment to place the manipulator at the center of the datum hole. This defines the workpiece orientation in the fixture.

Workpiece orientation

1.2 Create only the fixture base plate

For this tutorial topic, create only the base plate. In Fixture default parameters, set the number of support plates to zero. Then move the manipulator below the workpiece and run Create a fixture.

Build the fixture

2. Pin

2.1 Add support plates at the datum hole

Place the manipulator at the datum hole center. Start Add support plate with given length, set the value to 25 mm, and execute. Two support plates are created.

Add support plates

2.2 Set intersection type to Pin

At the support plate intersection, open the pie menu on the green marker and set the intersection type to Pin.

Fixation pin

2.3 Measure hole size

If needed, switch to Measure mode. Pick the cylindrical hole surface and run Measure object to read the radius. Then return to Normal mode.

Measure

2.4 Adjust pin diameter

Edit the pin diameter so it matches the measured hole size and verify the updated result.

Pin parameters

3. Pin hole

3.1 Add support plates at the second datum hole

Place the manipulator at the center of the other datum hole. Run Add support plate with given length, set the value to 15 mm, and execute. Two new support plates are created.

Add support plates

3.2 Set intersection type to Pin hole

Open the pie menu on the intersection marker and set the plate intersection type to Pin hole so a calibration pin can locate the workpiece at this position.

Fixation pin hole