WALE Custom Fixture Solutions

WALE Custom Fixture Solutions

Introduction

In the field of precision measurement, errors introduced by clamping constitute a quantifiable and controllable source of systematic error in measurement uncertainty. Particularly for workpieces with low rigidity (such as thin-walled or irregularly shaped parts), the micro-elastic deformation and localized stress concentrations caused by clamping forces and support reaction forces can directly lead to a shift in the workpiece’s reference features, causing subsequent coordinate data to deviate from its true geometric state. The propagation and amplification of these errors throughout the measurement chain can severely compromise the accuracy of measurement results.

To address these issues, WALE offers customized workholding solutions. Based on the structural characteristics of the workpiece and the requirements of the measurement task, we provide stable and precise clamping solutions that effectively prevent measurement errors caused by improper clamping during the measurement process.

Core Functions of Fixtures

WALE's custom fixtures perform three core functions in precision measurement:

1、Fixing Functions

Positioning:

During the measurement of a workpiece, this involves restricting the workpiece’s degrees of freedom—that is, determining the correct position of the workpiece within the fixture. This is achieved by ensuring that the correct positioning elements on the fixture make contact with the workpiece’s locating surfaces.

Clamping：

During the measurement of a workpiece, this ensures that the workpiece remains stationary.

2、Adjustment Functions

Positioning the measurement area:

Precisely position the features to be measured within the effective range of the measurement detectors;

Aligning with the measurement reference:

Ensure that the workpiece’s design reference is precisely aligned with the measurement instrument’s linear reference or rotary axis system;

Unifying the coordinate system:

Ensure that the measurement reference and the design reference are fully aligned.

3、Safety Protection Features

Through proper fixture design, mitigate the risk of collisions between the stylus, detectors, workpiece, and fixture to ensure the safety and efficiency of the measurement process.

Basic requirements for clamping devices

In the design of clamping devices, WALE strictly adheres to the following principles:

Clamping must not disrupt the correct positioning of the workpiece within the fixture;

Clamping force must be appropriate, ensuring that the workpiece does not move, rotate, or vibrate during machining, while also preventing surface damage or deformation caused by excessive clamping force;

Operation of the clamping mechanism should be safe, convenient, rapid, and require minimal effort;

The structure should be as simple as possible, and the fixture should be easy to manufacture and maintain.

WALE Custom Clamping Solutions

To address a wide range of clamping challenges, WALE’s tooling and fixtures—in addition to standard fixtures—include a variety of custom services for special specifications, designed to ensure more accurate and reliable measurements.

Drawing on extensive project experience, WALE has established a comprehensive library of custom tooling, resulting in a complete classification of fixtures:

Basic fixtures

Supports Y-axis movement, planar rotation, and table tilting, flexibly adapting to a wide range of measurement requirements;

Quick-centering fixtures

Enables automatic centering of rotary workpieces, improving setup efficiency;

Vacuum suck fixture

Supports both magnetic and non-magnetic spheres for non-destructive clamping;

Long-shaft fixtures

Designed specifically for large, heavy-duty long-shaft workpieces to ensure secure clamping;

Specialized bearing profile fixtures

Features a V-shaped structure for rapid positioning of bearing-type workpieces;

Multifunctional composite positioning fixtures

Supports multi-degree-of-freedom adjustments for position, angle, and circumference to meet complex measurement requirements.

Conclusion

WALE customized fixture solutions starts with systematic error control, utilizing rigorous engineering principles and modular design to build a precise, stable, and efficient measurement foundation for our customers. We are committed to minimizing measurement uncertainty through professional fixture design, ensuring the authenticity and reliability of every piece of data, and helping our customers achieve exceptional quality control and process optimization.