WORK HOLDING

Work holding refers to any device that is used to a secure a work piece and hold it in place against the
forces of machining.
The most basic Work holding device is a simple clamp that is screwed into place on a machining centers
table, but Work holding can also involve complex fixtures that are custom-built for particular parts.
Other common Work holding devices include vises and chucks, as well as indexers or rotary tables that
are able to change the parts position while it is held, so the machine can reach various features of the part
without the setup having to be changed.
In most machining applications, Work holding also locates the part.
In turning, for example, a chuck not only holds the part securely but also holds it precisely on the
centerline of the spindle.
On a machining center, the vise or fixture that holds the part may also hold it in the precise position and
orientation where the machining program expects to find it.
For this reason, components such as locating pins and work stops that make it easy to place piece after
piece in the same location are also common Work holding components.
WORK HOLDING DEVICES FOR LATHES
Five methods are commonly used for supporting work pieces in lathes:
1. Held between centers
2. Held in a chuck
3. Held in a collet
4. Mounted on a faceplate
5. Mounted on the carriage
In the first four of these methods, the work piece is rotated during machining. In the fifth method, which is
not used extensively, the tool rotates while the work piece is fed into the tool.
WORKHOLDING FOR DRILLING
Work that is to be drilled is ordinarily held in a vise or in specially designed work holders called jigs.
With regard to safety, the work should not be held on the table by hand unless adequate leverage is
available, even in light drilling operations.
This is a dangerous practice and can lead to serious accidents, because the drill has a tendency to catch on
the work piece and cause it to rotate, especially when the drill exits the work piece.
Work that is too large to be held in a jig can be clamped directly to the machine table using suitable bolts
and clamps and the slots or holes in the table.
Jigs and work holding devices on indexing machines must be free from play and firmly seated.