Modular CNC Fixture Plate

Context

Small-batch machining jobs were losing most of their time to workholding setup. A modular fixture plate with a repeatable hole grid lets fixtures be swapped and re-zeroed in minutes instead of re-indicated from scratch.

My role

Designed the plate and fixture modules in FreeCAD and machined the prototypes.

Constraints & tradeoffs

Tolerance on the dowel-pin grid drives the whole system's repeatability, but tighter tolerances raise machining cost — the grid spec was chosen as the loosest tolerance that still kept part re-registration inside the finishing allowance.

Approach

A ground aluminum plate with an alternating pattern of dowel and threaded holes, plus a family of standard fixture modules that locate on two pins and clamp with standard hardware.

Result

Setup time for repeat jobs dropped substantially. Placeholder metrics — to be replaced with real ones.