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Home » Mechanical Engineering » Jigs and Fixtures: Types, Parts, Advantages,
Applications and more.

JIGS AND FIXTURES: TYPES,

PARTS, ADVANTAGES,
APPLICATIONS AND MORE.
Last Updated on: October 27, 2020 by Saif M
In this post. you’ll learn what are jigs and fixtures and how they used?
and Definition, Parts & different types of jigs and fixtures with their working
principles. And also you can download the PDF file of this post.

Jigs and Fixtures

Contents show
jigs and fixtures are the devices which help in increasing the rate of identical
parts and reducing the human efforts required for producing these parts, It has
already been emphasized earlier that a center lathe is a suitable machine tool for
producing individual parts of different shapes and sizes, but for producing similar
articles in great number its use will not be economical.

Against this, a capstan and turret lathe can be easily adapted for repetition work
on account of the multi-cooling arrangement and use of transverse stop this
increases the rate of production.

However, every type of object cannot be machined on a capstan or turret lathe

and may involve the use of drilling, milling, planning and grinding machines, etc.
If such objects are to be produced in identical shapes and sizes on a mass scale,
suitable devices have to be used for holding and locating purposes so that the
repetition work can be done. These devices are the jigs and fixtures.

What is Jig?

A jig may be defined as a device which holds and located a workpiece and
guides and controls one or more cutting tools. The holding of the work and
guiding of the tool is such that they are located in true positions relative to each
other.

In construction, a jig comprises a plate, a structure, or box made of metal or in

some cases of non-metal having provisions for handling the components in
identical positions one after the other, and then guiding the tool incorrect
positions on the work in accordance with the drawing, specification, or operation
layout.

What is a Fixture?

A fixture is a device which holds and locates a workpiece during an inspection or

for a manufacturing operation. The fixture does not guide the tool.

In construction, the fixture comprises a different standard or specially

designed work holding the device, which is clamped on the machine able to hold
the work in the position. The tools are set at the required positions on the work by
using gauges or by manual adjustment.

Read also: 7 Types Of Lathe Machine Chucks.

The main elements of jigs and fixtures
Main elements of jigs and fixtures are:

Body: It is a plate, box or frame type structure in which the components to be

machined are located. It should be quite sturdy and rigid.

Locating elements: These elements locate the workpiece in a proper position in

relation to the cutting tool.

Clamping elements: These elements firmly secure the workpiece in the located

position.

Grinding and setting elements: These elements guide the cutting tool in case
of jig and help in proper tool acting in case of the fixture.

Positioning elements: These elements include different types of fastening

devices, which are used in securing the jig or fixture to the machine at the proper
position.

Indexing elements: They are not provided always. But, many workpieces may
have to be indexed to different positions in order to perform machining operations
on different surfaces or different locations. In such cases, these elements will
have to be incorporated in the jig or fixture.

Read also: Capstan and Turret Lathes

Types of Jigs and Fixtures:

Types of Jigs
Following are the seven different types of jigs.

1. Template jig
2. Plate jig
3. channel jig
4. Diameter jig
5. Leaf jig
6. Ring jig
7. Box jig
Template Jig

The template jig is the simplest of all the types. A plate 2 having holes at the
desired positions serves as a which is fixed on component 1 to be drilled. The
drill 21 is guided through these holes of the template 2 and the required holes are
drilled on the workpiece at the same relative positions with each other as on the
template. A template jig is shown in the figure.

Plate Jig

1. A fixture holds and positions the work but does not guide the tool. Whereas
a jig holds, locates and as well as guides the tool.
2. The fixtures are heavier in construction and are bolted rigidly on the
machine table. Whereas the jigs are made lighter for quicker handling, and
clamping with the table is often unnecessary.
3. The fixtures are employed for handling work in milling, grinding, planing,
or turning operations. Whereas the jigs are used for holding work and
guiding the tool particularly in drilling, reaming or tapping operations.
A plate jig is an improvement of the template jig by incorporating drill bushes on
the template. The plate jig is employed to drill holes on large parts maintaining
accurate spacing with each other. A plate jig is shown in the above fig.

Channel Jig
The channel jig is illustrated in the fig. It is a simple type of jig having a channel-
like cross-section. The component 1 is fitted within the channel 4 and is located
and clamped by rotating the knurled knob 5. The tool is guided through the drill
bush 3.

Diameter Jig

The diameter jig is shown in fig. It is used to drill radial holes on a cylindrical or
spherical workpiece. The work 1 is placed on the fixed V-block 6 and then
clamped by the clamping plate 7 which is also locate the work. The tool is guided
through the drill bush 8 which is set radially with the work.

Leaf Jig

The leaf jig is illustrated in the above figure. It has a leaf or a plate 13 hinged on
the body at 11 and the leaf may be swung open or closed on the work for loading
or loading purposes. The work 1 is located by the buttons 10 and is clamped by
set screws 12. The drill bush 3 guides the tool.

Ring Jig
The ring jig is shown in the above figure. It is employed to drill holes on circular
flanged parts. The work is securely clamped on the drill body and the holes are
drilled by guiding the tool through drill bushes.

Box Jig
The box jig is illustrated in the above figure. It is of box-like construction within
which the component is located by the buttons 18. The work 1 is clamped by
rotating the cam handle 19 which also locates it. The drill bush 3 guides the tool.
The box jigs are generally employed to drill a number of holes on a component
from different angles.

Types of Fixtures
Following are the 10 different types of fixtures:

1. Turning fixtures.
2. Milling fixtures.
3. Broaching fixtures.
4. Grinding fixtures.
5. Boring fixtures.
6. Indexing fixtures.
7. Tapping fixtures.
8. Duplex fixtures.
9. Welding fixtures.
10. Assembly fixtures.
Fixtures are usually named after the type of machining operation for which they
are designed and employed.
Turning fixtures

It is quite easy-to-hold regular workpieces on lathes in standard job holding

devices like chucks and collects, between the centre and on mandrels or
faceplates. But irregularly shaped components offer a lot of difficulties in holding
them correctly.

Simple odd shaped jobs can be held in chuck also, say by proper adjustment of
jaws in a four-jaw chuck or by using shaped soft jaws. However, workpieces
having complicated shaped have to be necessarily held in position with the help
of turning fixtures. These fixtures are normally mounted on the nose of the
machine spindle or on a faceplate and the workpieces held them.
 Source
: Slideshare
whenever necessary, the fixture may have to be provided with a counterweight or
balance the unbalance fixture. These fixtures should be carefully designed, to be
rigid enough, with minimum overhang should grip the workpieces very firmly,
should not carry any dangerous projections for the machine operator or tool or
both and should be able to provide proper support to him to thin and weak
sections of the workpieces during the operation.

Milling fixtures

These fixtures are used on milling for carrying out different milling operations on
workpieces. The fixture is properly located on the table of the machine and
secured in position by means of bolts and nuts.
The table is shifted and set in the proper position, in relation to the cutter. The
workpieces are located no the base of the fixture and clamped before starting the
operation.

Since the cutting forces involved are quite high, and also intermittent, the
clamping elements. Proper locating of the fixture on the machine table is usually
achieved with the help of two tenons provided under the fixture base. These
tenons enter a T-slot of the table to provide the required location. The fixture
base can then be secured to the table by means of T-bolts and nuts.

Broaching Fixtures
These fixtures are used on different types of broaching machines to locate, hold,
and support the workpieces during the operations, such as
keyway broaching operations, such as keyway broaching, hole broaching, etc.
The use of a clamping plate as a fixture for internal pull-type hole broaching.

Grinding Fixture

Several different forms of fixtures are used in grinding machines to locate,

hold, and support the workpieces during the operations. These fixtures may be
the standard work-holding devices, such as chucks, mandrels, chuck with
shaped jaws, magnetic chucks, etc.

For example; a vertical surface grinder with a rotary table will normally have a
rotary fixture secured to its table. Similarly, a plain or string fixture may be
provided on a surface grinder with the reciprocating table. A drill grinding
attachment is a glaring example of a standard fixture used for grinding of drill
geometry.

Whatever be the types of fixture designed for grinding operation, it should have
provisions for supply and exit of coolant, mounting of wheel dressers and should
be properly balanced, if it is a rotating fixture.

Boring Fixture
The operation can be performed in one of the following two ways:

 By keeping the boring bar (tool) stationary and feeding the touting
workpiece on to the bar.
 By keeping the workpiece stationary and feeding the rotating boring bar
into the work.
Accordingly, therefore, the boring fixture is made in two common designs.

One of these incorporates the principle of a drilling jig, and in this, the boring bar
(tool) is guided through a pilot bush. such fixture is also often referred to as
boring jigs. the other design facilitates holding of the workpiece incorrect position,
relative to the boring bar.

Although this fixture incorporates almost all the common principles of jig and
fixture design, their construction need not be as sturdy as that of the milling
fixtures, because they never have to bear as heavy cutting loads as involved in
milling fixtures, because they never have to bear as heavy cutting loads as
involved in milling operations.

Indexing Fixture

Several components need machining on the different surface such that their
machined surface surfaces or forms are evenly spaced.
Such components are required to be indexed equally as many as the number of
surfaces to be machined. Obviously, the holding devices (jigs or fixtures) used
are made to carry a suitable indexing mechanism. A fixture carrying such a
device is known as an indexing fixture.

Tapping Fixture

Tapping fixture is specially designed to position and firmly secure identical

workpieces for cutting internal threads in drilled holes in them. Odd shaped and
unbalanced components will always need the use of such fixtures, especially
when the tapping operation is to be carried out repeatedly on a mass scale on
such components.

Duplex Fixtures

It is the name given to the fixture which holds two similar components
simultaneously and facilitates simultaneously machining of these components at
two separate stations. While one workpiece is machined at one station.
Both the operations according to the requirement may be similar or different.
Once machining at both the stations is over, the fixture is indexed through 180
degrees so that the first component is shifted to the second station for the
second operation and the finished component to the first station.

The finished component is then uploaded here, replaced by a fresh component

and the first operation performed on it. The cycle goes on repeating, which
enables mass production of components at a fairly high speed.

Welding Fixtures

Welding fixtures are carefully designed to hold and support the various
components to be welded in proper locations and prevent distortions in welded
structures. For this, the locating element need to be careful, clamping has to be
light but firm, placement of clamping elements has to be clear of the welding
area. The fixture has to be quite stable and rigid to withstand the welding
stresses.

In many cases, a preferably and commonly used practice is to first tack weld the
structure by holding it in welding jig and then transfer it to a holding fixture for full
welding. This helps in reducing the chances of distortion considerably and the
fixture is subjected to lesser stresses.
Assembly Fixture

The function of these fixtures is to hold different components together in their

proper relative position at the time of assembling them. For example, two or more
steel plates can be held together in relative positions and riveted.

These fixtures, which are used for holding the components for performing
mechanical operations, are known as mechanical assembly fixtures. Against this,
there are other types of fixtures which the components are held for joining, such
as the welding fixtures are also assembly fixtures, but for hot joining.

Difference Between Jigs and Fixtures

The following are the fundamental difference between a fixture with a jig:

1. A fixture holds and position the work but does not guide the tool, whereas
a jig holds, locates and as well as guide the tool.
2. The fixtures are heavier in construction and are bolted rigidly on the
machine table, whereas the jigs are made lighter for quicker handling and
clamping with the table is often unnecessary.
3. The fixtures are employed for holding work in milling, grinding, planing or
turning operations, whereas the jigs are used for holding the work and
guiding the tool, particularly in drilling reaming or tapping operations.
Advantages of using jigs and fixtures in
mass production work.
The following are the advantages of jigs and fixtures in mass production
work.

1. Eliminates the making out, measuring, and other setting methods before
machining.
2. It increases the machining accuracy because the workpiece is
automatically located and the tool is guided without making any manual
adjustment.
3. It enables the production of identical parts which are interchangeable. This
facilitates the assembly operation.
4. It increases the production capacity by enabling a number of workpieces to
be machined in the single set up, and in some cases, a number of tools
may be made to operate simultaneously. The handling time is also greatly
reduced due to the quick setting and locating of the work. The speed, feed
 and depth of cut for machining can be increased due to high clamping
rigidity of jigs and fixtures.
5. It reduces the operator’s labour and consequent fatigue as the handling
operations are minimised and simplified.
6. It enables a semi-skilled operator to perform the operations as the setting
operation of the tool and the work is mechanised. This saves labour costs.
7. It reduces the expenditure on the quality control of the finish products.
8. It reduces the overall cost of machining by fully or partly automating the
processes.
Advantages of Jigs and Fixtures
The advantages of jigs and fixtures are:

1. Increases the machining accuracy because the workpiece is automatically

located and the tool is guided without making any manual adjustment.
2. It increases the production capacity by enabling a number of workpieces to
be machined in the single set up and in some cases, a number of tools
may be made to operate simultaneously.
3. The handling time is also greatly reduced due to the quick setting and
locating of the work.
4. The speed, feed and depth of cut for machining can be increased due to
high clamping rigidity of jigs and fixtures.
5. Enables the production of identical parts which are interchangeable. This
facilitates the assembly operation.
6. It eliminates the marking out, measuring and other setting methods before
machining.
7. These devices reduce the operator’s labour and consequent fatigue
handling operations, are minimized and simplified.
8. It reaches the semi-skilled operator to perform the operation as the setting
operations of the tool and the work are mechanized. This saves labour
cost.
9. It reduces the expenditure on the quality control of the finished products.
10. Reduces the overall cost of machining by fully or partly automizing
the processes.
Applications of Jigs and Fixtures
Applications of jigs are:

 Drilling
 Reaming
 Tapping
Applications of fixtures are:

 Milling
 Grinding
 Planing
 Turning
 Shaping
Conclusion
So now, we hope that we have clear all your doubts about Jigs and Fixtures. If
you have still any doubts about the “Jigs and Fixtures” you can contact us or
ask in the comments.

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CategoriesMechanical EngineeringTagsMachinesPost navigation
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About Saif M
 Saif M. is a Mechanical Engineer by profession. He completed his engineering
studies in 2014 and is currently working in a large firm as Mechanical Engineer.
He is also an author and editor at www.theengineerspost.com
...
6 thoughts on “Jigs and Fixtures: Types, Parts, Advantages, Applications
and more.”

1.
Vinayak J Mandrawadker
January 18, 2020 at
Very nice

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
TheEngineersPost
January 18, 2020 at

Thank you 

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2.
AYALKBET
December 6, 2019 at
Interesting site

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
TheEngineersPost
December 6, 2019 at

Thanks 

Reply

3.
Salman
November 3, 2019 at
nice one …
keep it UP

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
TheEngineersPost
November 4, 2019 at

Thank you 

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