Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Machining on Opposite Sides

Eric,

How much machining is done on both sides? I've done some fixturing for
my dad, to CNC machine small parts on both sides. Basically have a
fixture base with blocks and toe clamps about 4" apart (this is for a
sherline mill) and a dowel pin in each block. Fixture plates have one
bored hole, one close fitting slot.
Parts are molded and generally need holes drilled and small slots and
pockets machined both sides. I leave the major machining on the open
side, machine pockets in the plate to allow the tool to access the part
where needed from the other side. A single part on the plate is centered
in the X and Y. Multiple parts are in rows equally offset in the Y. Due
to the nature of his parts, we are always clamping in the center of the
part, so the clamp is fitted to the part ID and a hole in the plate.
This hole is XY zero for the part. For multiple parts, I still bore a
hole centered in the fixture and all programming references this hole as
zero.
Sometimes this approach is very easy, sometimes it really requires a lot
of thought, and some parts it just won't work with at all.

Jon