Manufacturing Tooling Design

3-2-1 Location Principle

Primary datum: 3 points (plane). Secondary datum: 2 points (line). Tertiary datum: 1 point (position). This constrains all 6 degrees of freedom.

Clamping Rules

• Clamp over solid support, never over unsupported areas
• Clamping force should be perpendicular to support surface
• Position clamps opposite to cutting forces when possible
• Use hydra-jaw or equalizing clamps for thin-walled parts
• Consider quick-change systems for high-mix production

Material Selection for Fixtures