From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

When I can make a mold that I think will sell more than one I like to
find or make a fixture plate that will allow me to cut more than one
piece at a time. Its handy for some things to have a single reference
point machined into the plate with hard stops for each piece. It makes
the plate less universal, but its very fast to setup for a second,
third, fourth batch.

Its not always as universal as I would like. I've found with open ended fixture plates, and a single adjustable work stop I can setup multiple
rows of mold plates. I often have to leave a small gap between them or parting line air vents would leave marks on non vented plates or in in appropriate places on the next mold plate.

I would set one plate in the first row, and hten use a precision
straight edge to set the first plate in the next row, then use a gage
block to set the next plate in each row. Yesterday I was thinking it
might be handy to have multiple gage blocks, and then I realized I have several sets of cheap to mid price parallels. Thickness isn't always
perfect, but height is very good. Even on the cheapest sets.

I set the first plate, threw down a parrallel and pinched it in place
with the next block in the same row. Then I just pinched the other end
of it with the first pair plates in the next row. I placed 6 plates
(all that would fit) almost as fast as I could tighten down the edge
clamps. It might not be perfect, but is definitely with in the set of
values defined as "good enough."

I presize blanks manually on another mill these days, so across six
plates total positional variation is within a couple thousandths.
Alignment of features from plate to plate is as good as the machine.

I know. I know, it only saves a few minutes, but I begrudge minutes
that could be saved.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff


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