Jigs and Fixtures

 Introduction 

Sometimes both the terms jigs and fixtures are combined and written as “jigs fixtures”. Although both these are used for mass production purposes. According to the functionality, they both differ. To put it in simple words, jigs are used as a machining tool. To be precise, fixtures are those tools used for holding the workpiece on the machine bed exactly in the wanted position. Fixtures are used for loading and unloading purposes.

Discussion

 Jigs and fixtures

Often, jigs and fixtures are both considered to be synonyms of one another. Jigs fixtures are sometimes mentioned together. The primary purpose of using jigs is to provide accuracy, repeatability, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products. Jigs are often confused with fixtures.  Fixture holds the machine bed in a fixed location. A device that deals with both the functionalities such as holding the work and guiding a table is referred to as jigs. Both jigs and fixtures are used as machining tools. In order to get the utmost benefit from jigs and fixtures, fundamental knowledge of their construction is required. There are two ways by which these two tools can be identified: one is through their machine and another through their basic structure. In the sector of manufacturing, meeting customer demand is the utmost priority. It means it should be made in such a way that it should meet quality standards and as fast and efficiently as possible. Jigs and fixtures are used in manufacturing processes for making products in a more efficient and accurate way. Using jigs and fixtures in their manufacturing units manufacturers received several benefits such as increased the rate of production, reduced the cost of production, improved the consistency of products, enhanced assembly line security, reduced the hours in non-productive affairs, and provided reasonable automation potentiality, accuracy, and interchangeability. To describe in simple words, jigs are used as a guiding machine tool. On the other hand, fixtures are used for holding machine tools in their position strongly during machining operations carried out. Fixtures strongly hold the machine tool in its desired position. Fixtures are used in various operations such as loading, unloading, which decreases hours in non-productive works. The working styles of both these are quite different.

Difference between jig and fixture

Jig is used as a work-holding device that provides a machine bed stand in its accurate location and provides guidance to the working tool for performing specific operations. On the other hand, fixtures do the same job but it does not provide guidance to cutting tools. The main purpose of using jigs in manufacturing sectors is as it provides preciseness, repetition, and compatibility. The main purpose of fixtures to use in manufacturing plants is to create a secure mounting point for work tools, provide support during machining operations, and provide preciseness to finished products.  Jigs are mostly made from standard parts such as brushes and screws. Whereas, fixtures are to be derived from cast iron or steel parts through welding and bolting. Jigs are placed on relatively lighter sides and fixtures are situated on huge, rigid surfaces. Jigs can be held in position by applying hand pressure and fixtures are positioned forcibly on the machine surface. Some standard operations that can be performed through jigs are reaming, boring, drilling, and tapping fixtures are applied on slotting machines, milling machines, and shapers. Jigs are more expensive and fixtures are comparatively less costly than jigs. Jigs need complex design procedures and fixtures design operations are comparatively less critical. Jigs are not fixed on the table in general and come in a portable and compact form. On the contrary, fixtures are always fixed on the table as it provides support to the machine bed. 

 What is jig

To put it in simple terms, jigs are tools that are used for guiding the cutting or machining tool. Drill jig is the most common type of jig. Jigs are customised tools used for controlling or positioning work tools in their place. Jigs have been known even before the starting of the industrial age. There are many types of jigs available and all of them are customised and can be used for doing specific operations.

A drill jig uses 

Drill jig is used for drilling purposes. A plate is placed on top of it. Drilling bushes are there on this plate. This is used for guiding the tool. Drill jig is a classification of jig. Drill jig accelerates the position of monotonous hole centres in several replaceable parts so that the twist drill or other boring devices acts as a jig and moves to the exact location of each intended hole centre.  

Conclusion 

The aim of using both jigs and fixtures is to lessen the number of hours of non-productive dealings. Like a drill bit, jigs are utilised for guiding machine tools, for doing so jigs have been incorporated with bush which directly gets connected to the machine tool. On the contrary, fixtures never share a connection with machine tools, they are placed on top of the cutting tool. Fixtures ensure the positioning and supporting of machine tools on the surface so that all the machine operations can be done in stipulated time.  These two tools are extensively used in manufacturing units. Manufacturing industries have a rigger rate of demands and customer needs, to fulfil these manufacturers come up with the concept of jigs and fixtures to speed up the manufacturing process.