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 LOCATORS
To perform properly, workholders must accurately and
consistently position the workpiece relative to the cutting
tool, part after part. To accomplish this, the locators must
ensure that the workpiece is properly referenced and the
process is repeatable.

The devices that restrict a workpiece's movement are the

locators. The locators, therefore, must be strong enough to
maintain the position of the workpiece and to resist the
cutting forces.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF LOCATION
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Position the locators such that they contact the workpiece

on a machined surface. The machined surface usually
offers a more-stable form of location.
Proper spacing of locator is necessary
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3-2-1 principle may be stated as:

“To locate an object fully, place and

hold it against three points in a base
plane, two points in a vertical plane,
and one point in a plane,
perpendicular with the first two.”
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 The nesting method of locating features a cavity in the
work holding device into which the w/p is placed and
located.
Limitations of nesting:
Since the w/p is completely surrounded in the
cavity, it is often difficult to lift it out from the
nest.
Chips from the cutting operation may lodge in
the nest which must be removed before
locating the next w/p. Any chips remaining may
interfere with the proper positioning of the next
work piece.
Ejecting device may be needed.
In case of a cylindrical object 3-2-1 method will restrict 7 degrees of
freedom instead of 9 in case of a rectangular workpiece.
3-2-1 Method applied to cylindrical w/p:
Horizontal plane restricts movement in 2
rotational freedom around X axis and the
downward freedom along Y axis.

Vertical plane restricts 2 rotational freedoms

around Y axis and the leftward movement
along X axis.

The pin that forms the end stop restricts 1

freedom .i.e forward movement along the z
axis.