Tool and fixture design

Injection molding is a manufacturing process in which parts are produced by injecting molten material into a mold. Injection molding can be performed using a variety of materials including metals the process for metals is called die-casting , glass, thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers.

Work-holding tools include any device that is used to hold the work-piece in place for the cutting tool. This can include clamps, vices, chucks, fixtures, etc. The decision as to how to hold a work-piece may depend on the following:. The physical properties of a material control how the material reacts under certain conditions. Physical properties are natural to a material and cannot be permanently be altered without changing the composition of the material itself.

These physical properties include:. Cutting tool design requires an understanding of the machining process, the materials involved, and the operation parameters. The following should be considered:. Fixtures range from standard clamps to vices and chucks to metal plates with key-slots and tap-holes for fasteners. They can also be part-specific dedicated fixtures requiring extensive design and build requirements.

This must be repeatable for many parts. The fixture must also hold the part securely while vibrations, cutting forces, centrifugal forces and gravity act to dislodge the part. In theory, the location and clamping of work-pieces are considered separate issues, but locating and clamping are integral; once located, the holding action must ensure the work-piece is stable for machining.

Conversely, the clamping force should not be so excessive such that it distorts, gouges, or breaks the work-piece. Computer-aided design CAD is of immense importance when it comes to tool design and manufacturing.

Tool designers utilize CAD in the same way as product designers, creating 3D models, 2D prints, and machine code to produce all types of tooling. We connect engineers, product designers and procurement teams with the best materials and suppliers for their job. Accept all Open cookie settings. Sign in Register. Categories Biological Material. Engineering Ceramic. Natural Ceramic. Ceramic Matrix Composite.

Metal Matrix Composite. Polymer Matrix Composite. Glass Ceramic. Lead Glass. Silicate Glass. Noble Metal. Other Metal. Refractory Metal. Faster time to market, fewer errors for Software Development. Remove barriers and grow while maintaining your bottom line. Automate the entire tool development process including part design, tool assembly layout, and detailed tooling design and validation using advanced NX functionality.

With step-by-step guidance and associativity to part designs, you can work with even the most challenging tooling and fixture designs. Start designing in minutes. Mold Designer enables users to streamline the entire mold development process to shorten lead times and control costs by using step-by-step guidance for mold part design, tool assembly layout, tool design, and tool validation. Excel at the most challenging mold designs with process automation while adhering to industry best practices.

Automate the entire EDM process from design through production to efficiently model even the most complex and challenging electrodes. Utilize powerful modeling and assembly tools to accelerate design of jigs and fixtures that are fully associative to the 3D part model. Speed up the entire mold development process including part design, tool design, and motion validation.

Ensure fast response to design changes and high-quality molds. Improve productivity by automating the most tedious tasks and streamlining complex processes of progressive die design.

Use a comprehensive solution for straight break and freeform sheet metal parts. Tool and Fixture Design. United States: N. Copy to clipboard. United States. View Technical Report. Community Involvement. Home Tooling and Fixture Design. Tooling and Fixture Design Advanced Automation and Process Simulation From part design and tool assembly layout to detailed tooling design and validation, NX streamlines the entire tool development process.

NX Mold Design Automating and streamlining the entire mold development process including part design, tool design and motion validation, NX Mold Design enables you to respond quickly to design changes and high-quality molds.

NX Stamping Die Design Producing a representation of the press line and modeling the shape of the sheet metal as it leaves each press, NX Stamping Die Design assists users in defining the process used to manufacture complex stamped sheet metal parts.

NX Electrode Design Incorporating numerous industry best practices into a step-by-step approach, NX Electrode Design automates the electrode design and manufacturing process. NX for Jig and Fixture Design Fully associative to the part model, jig and fixture designs can be quickly and accurately updated to reflect part model changes.