drilling jig

The requirements of mass production and interchangeable assembly in industry, demand that the components be machined to identical form and size. For this purpose, devices known as jigs and fixtures are used for holding, locating the work and guiding the tools while machining. The use of jigs and fixtures makes possible rapid as well as accurate manufacturing; at the same time, reducing the production cost. A jig is a device, which holds and supports the work and also guides the path of the cutting tool, as the operation is performed. Jigs are used extensively for operations such as drilling, reaming, tapping and counter-boring. The jig need not be secured to the machine. A fixture is a device which locates and holds the work securely in a definite position. It is usually secured to the table of the machine and it does not guide the cutting tool. The cutting tool is either moved into position for the operation or the table is moved under the cutting tool. Fixtures are used while performing milling, turning, honing, broaching, grinding and welding operations