Key Differences between Jigs and Fixtures

Both fixtures and jigs are tools used to assist processing, assembly and other operations during the manufacturing process. The following is a detailed introduction and difference between them:

Fixture

Definition: A fixture refers to a device used to fix the processing object in the mechanical manufacturing process so that it occupies the correct position to accept construction or inspection. When processing a workpiece on a machine tool, in order to ensure that the surface of the workpiece can meet the technical requirements such as the size, geometric shape and relative position accuracy with other surfaces specified in the drawing, the workpiece must be installed (positioned) and clamped (clamped) before processing.

Function

Accurate positioning: Ensure that the workpiece is in the correct position relative to the machine tool or tool during the processing process to ensure the consistency of processing accuracy.

Clamp firmly: Clamp the workpiece firmly to prevent displacement or vibration caused by external forces such as cutting force and centrifugal force during the processing process, which affects the processing quality.

Improve efficiency: By quickly clamping the workpiece, the clamping time of the workpiece is reduced and the processing efficiency is improved, which is especially suitable for mass production.

Jig

Definition: A jig is a large category of tools for woodworking, ironwork, fitter, machinery, electronic control and some other handicrafts, mainly as a tool to assist in controlling position or movement. It can be a simple auxiliary tool, such as a circuit board fixture for fixing electronic components, or a complex automated equipment, such as an automated fixture for mobile phone assembly.

Function

Auxiliary processing: It plays an auxiliary positioning, support, and guidance role in the processing process, helping workers to operate more conveniently and accurately.

Improve quality: Through the precise control of the fixture, the processing accuracy and consistency of the product are guaranteed, and the impact of human factors on product quality is reduced.

Easy to detect: Used for product inspection and testing, such as rapid inspection of the size, shape, and performance of parts through specific fixtures to improve inspection efficiency and accuracy.

The difference between fixtures and fixtures

Functional focus

Fixture: Mainly emphasizes the fixation and positioning of the workpiece to ensure that the workpiece remains stable and accurately positioned during the processing process to meet the processing accuracy requirements.

Fixture: The function is more extensive. In addition to positioning and fixing, it may also include control of the processing process, auxiliary operation, detection and other functions.

Application scenario

Fixture: Usually used in the field of mechanical processing, such as lathes, milling machines, drilling machines and other machine tools, used to fix workpieces of various shapes for cutting processing.

Jigs: The application scenarios are more diverse. They are not only used in mechanical processing, but also widely used in electronic manufacturing, automobile assembly, plastic molding and other industries to assist in production, testing, debugging and other links.

Structural complexity

Fixtures: The general structure is relatively simple, mainly composed of positioning elements, clamping elements, clamping bodies and other parts. The design focus is to ensure the positioning accuracy and clamping reliability of the workpiece.

Jigs: The structural complexity varies. Simple jigs may be similar to fixtures, while complex jigs may contain multiple moving parts, control systems, sensors, etc., which can achieve automated or semi-automated operations.

Impact on workpieces

Jigs: They mainly act on the workpiece through clamping force, which may leave certain indentations or deformations on the surface of the workpiece, but under reasonable design and use, this effect is usually controllable and does not affect the final use of the workpiece.

Jigs: The impact on the workpiece varies depending on the specific situation. Some jigs may only play an auxiliary positioning and support role, and have little effect on the workpiece; while some jigs may perform specific operations on the workpiece, such as welding, gluing, etc., which will have a certain impact on the surface or performance of the workpiece.