C A S E    S T U D I E S

Custom fixtures are designed and built for a specific application such as a high-volume production part with complex geometry. Source: R&R Sales and Engineering

Published in Quality Magazine, February 28, 2011

The right fixturing is the key to getting complete success and production from inspection equipment.

When purchasing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) or vision machine, a commonly overlooked item is the fixturing. Fixturing is an important consideration as it is needed for holding various types of parts that need to be inspected.

Fixturing should be included at the time of the CMM or vision machine purchase so the machine can inspect parts as soon as it is set up. You would not buy a machining center without the right fixturing equipment for the application; the same holds true for a CMM or vision machine.

Fixturing should be the second priority, after the equipment itself. Without the purchase of fixturing at the time of the CMM or vision machine installation, too many CMMs or vision machines sit idle and unproductive because they are not efficient, particularly because there is no way to hold parts securely and repeatably... [more]

Published in Industrial Product News, August 30, 2009

"In today's rapid changing world, inspection fixturing is needed faster and at an economical price. Budgets are not the same as they used to be so choose fixturing wisely and stretching the dollar as far as you can is important to maximize your inspection equipment. R&R Fixtures come in all different size kits to fit any budget," said a spokesperson. "We believe in making quality, re-useable, modular fixturing that you can work with for the life of your CMM or vision system. No matter what size, shape or type of part you may need to inspect components can be configured on the R&R base plate in no time. No more down time waiting for fixtures to be designed or built... [more]

With the modular fixture system from R&R Sales and Engineering, Wayne Combustion Systems can react quickly to measure new parts and existing parts that have been modified.

Published in Quality Magazine, June 30, 2009

Wayne Combustion Systems (Fort Wayne, IN) manufactures oil- and gas-fired burners for use in residential and commercial appliances. The company’s products incorporate a variety of parts, including aluminum castings, electrical components and steel sheet metal housings. This broad range of parts provides challenges for the company’s quality department.

Paul Wert, quality manager for Wayne Combustion Systems, wanted to streamline the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) part measurement process. Having the means to make quick and repeatable part measurements would save the company time and money.

Wert wanted to acquire fixturing but understood that the range of part sizes and shapes would require a substantial investment in dedicated fixtures. Dedicated fixtures also would require time to design and manufacture, as well as space for storage.

Wert examined the challenges and found a solution with the modular fixture system from R&R Sales and Engineering (Grand Haven, MI). The R&R fixture uses a precise and durably manufactured plate with a grid of tightly spaced, threaded fixture holes. The plate is engraved with alphanumeric labeling on the X- and Y-axis, so the location of each threaded fixture hole can be easily identified and documented... [more]

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