// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Fixture
A fixture is a work-holding device used in manufacturing to precisely locate and support a workpiece during a machining operation or assembly process. Unlike a jig, it doesn't guide the tool.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A fixture is a work-holding device used in manufacturing to accurately locate, support, and secure a workpiece in a specific position during machining, assembly, inspection, or other operations, ensuring repeatability and precision without guiding the cutting tool.
BACKGROUND
Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of the secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, in which raw materials from the primary sector are transformed into finished goods on a large scale. Such goods may be sold to other manufacturers for the production of other more complex products, or distributed via the tertiary sector to end users and consumers.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Workholder
- Clamping device
- Jig
- Tooling
USAGE NOTE
Fixtures are essential for maintaining consistent part quality and improving efficiency in production.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Fixture.
A German company specializing in gripping systems and clamping technology. They develop intelligent, automated, and sensor-integrated workholding and fixturing systems for robotic and CNC applications, a key component of Industry 5.0.
A global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance automation, workholding, and remote handling solutions. They provide advanced pneumatic and electric clamping systems used in automated manufacturing lines and robotic cells.
A 3D printing company that manufactures industrial-grade printers for metal and continuous carbon fiber. Their technology is widely used to produce strong, lightweight, and custom jigs, fixtures, and workholding tools on-demand, directly on the factory floor.
A global leader in additive manufacturing technologies. Stratasys provides 3D printing solutions, including FDM and PolyJet, used to create ergonomic and complex assembly jigs and fixtures, significantly reducing production lead time and cost.
A European leader in clamping technology. AMF develops innovative solutions including zero-point clamping systems that enable rapid, precise, and automated fixture changeovers, increasing flexibility and efficiency in modern factories.
A US-based manufacturer of a vast range of tooling components, clamps, and fixtures. They provide the foundational elements for modular and custom fixturing and offer advanced solutions like hydraulic and pneumatic power workholding.
A German technology company that develops components for automation, including advanced clamping and braking elements. Their systems are designed for high-precision and high-speed robotic handling and assembly tasks, often integrating sensors for smart factory applications.
Specializes in innovative workholding solutions for CNC machining. They develop modular and vacuum-based fixturing systems, including the SmartVac system, designed for quick setups and flexible manufacturing runs on modern machine tools.