Secure, accurate workholding is crucial to the success of any ma-chining operation. And when it comes to holding their high-value parts, aerospace manufacturers face special challenges. Aircraft components are often large, odd-shaped and made of dif-ficult-to-machine materials. Keeping them on the machine table or in the chuck is the first priority, but an uneven or overzealous grip affects final part quality as well. Aerospace parts makers are combining basic assumptions regarding fixturing and clamping with new approaches to workholding and machining to ensure that their parts fly out the door only when they want them to. To be accurately and reliably machined, a workplace must be located in space, supported where necessary and held stationary against cutting forces. Tom Eggert, workholding product manager for hydraulic equipment and workholding systems maker Enerpac, Milwaukee, said, "You've got to have the part in the same place every time so you're always cutting that hole in the same spot. Then, support it where it might deflect or sag. The third step is to clamp over the top and hold it in place, so that it doesn't move no matter what forces you apply to it."
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