Stecker Machine Blog

What do you need from CNC tooling?

• Precision (of course) — Th​​e ultimate measuring stick of every CNC machining project, precision requires more than just the right capabilities
• Reliable rigidity — A tool must maintain its shape, remain stable, and resist flexing or vibrating during cutting operations
• Solid durability — Getting long lifetime value out of a tool is a cost-control measure that affects the bottom line, making durability an important Key Performance Indicator
• Easy installation/adjustment — Being able to easily change out and adjust tooling isn’t just efficient, it makes life better for the CNC operator

These are demanding times.

For a new product design to be considered successful today, the manufacturing process used to build it must be scrutinized as much as the product itself. Modern designers look to design for manufacturing (DFM) to reduce costs, simplify how a product is produced, reduce design rework, and maintain overall quality.

No one appreciates having “the right tool for the job” more than CNC machine operators. Yet, in order for any tool to do its job properly, the right CNC fixture (also called a CNC workholding fixture) has to secure and stabilize whatever piece is being worked on during CNC machining.

Fixturing is complex and can be quite challenging. Engineers who love tough tasks embrace the challenge, knowing how important fixturing is in CNC machining. In addition to expert engineering, making reliable CNC fixtures also requires some science, a bit of art, and solid teamwork.

Stecker Machine designs CNC fixtures following a process developed from decades of experience incorporating critical attention to detail. Our CNC fixture engineering process goes beyond designing with CAD tools like Solidworks, ProEngineer, or AutoCAD.