need help with fixturing

[HRTFAB]

Alright so ive been messing around with making some wrenches and im trying to figure out what the best way to hold it is in relationship to the stock I want to use. The wrench is 1/4" and I want to be able to machine it from 1/4 stock, so no facing ops, just get the contour shape out with some chamfering and be done.  Is there an easy way to project parts of a models sketch onto another model, for example, could i model this parts stock and then project the non extruded sketch parts to make a jig for holding this, i tried this but im having trouble figuring out how to get the sketches centered on the new stock that i want to make the jig out of. Its kinda difficult to explain, so ill attach my model, im curious how you guys would do this, it seems like it should be fairly simple. 

[Anonymous]

Hi @HRTFAB

I'm going to go out on a limb here. 

I think you are referring to making softjaws.

If that is the case, then what i do is create the soft jaws. Then I position my part within the softaws in the position i want for secure holding. Then I use Modify>Combine>Cut to create the "pocket" of the part. After that, i can go in and press/pull here and there to prevent over-constraining my part as it is clamped in the softjaws.

[HRTFAB]

Hi @Anonymous, soft jaws could work. Currently what i am doing is drilling two unneeded holes in the part as the first op then removing that rectangular piece with the two unneeded holes and  bolting that piece to a fixture plate that is the same dimensions as the stock that i began with this lets me retain my x y settings ( i just have to re zero Z) and  gives me my clearance for my vise jaws then doing the rest of the ops flipping the part on the fixture plate and running the finishing ops on the back side. So soft jaws could work but the thing im struggling with here  is how do i get that wrench contour shape centered on the soft jaws or fixture plate in such a way that i dont have to re zero my x and y. When I model the fixture plate or soft jaws and then try to project the negative of the model onto the fixture plate or soft jaws i cant figure out how to keep it centered without loosing the parts original wcs origins.  Ill attach a f3d file to illustrate my struggles. 

[HRTFAB]

ok so here this is the fixture plate that i made, it uses two bolts with washers that pinch the part when tightened and the removed contours mate with the plate which gives the stock some rigidity, the difficulty i had is getting the model centered on the 3x9x.25 stock, should i have modeled these two parts at the same time? is there an easier way? Would you have done this differently? @Anonymous I tried the modify combine extrude but i must not be dong something right, im sure this boils down to a lack of my understanding of some of the features in fusion. Thanks for your help

Daniel 

[Steinwerks · Accepted solution]

In the Model workspace, under the Modify section, try using Align to 'mate' faces together. This should work for your use-case. Otherwise you can also use Joints but they are going to be more complex than is needed for a simple fixture IMO.

[HRTFAB]

this did what i wanted to, i cant believe i didnt see that. One odd thing though, it set the first component recessed in the second component centered in the z. But in this case x y is all i was after so that gets it done, thanks

[Steinwerks]

You should be able to align the bottom of your part and the lower top surface (bottom step?) of your fixture the same way, although hiding one of them to select the face you need might be necessary.

[Anonymous]

Hi @HRTFAB

Sorry I didnt get back to you until now.

@Steinwerks has given a great solution. Joints would work too if your wrench was put into its own component.

What I originally showed was too complicated for your situation. 🙂

[s.noke71]

Guys,

A quick question, is it possible to do this with the saved stock? as its an stl i dont seem to be able to use it.

It would really need to be a solid .step or something. this would be really helpful.

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@Anonymouswrote:

Hi @HRTFAB

I'm going to go out on a limb here. 

I think you are referring to making softjaws.

If that is the case, then what i do is create the soft jaws. Then I position my part within the softaws in the position i want for secure holding. Then I use Modify>Combine>Cut to create the "pocket" of the part. After that, i can go in and press/pull here and there to prevent over-constraining my part as it is clamped in the softjaws.

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[Anonymous]

Yes you can use saved stock. I have the softjaw master saved for reuse.