Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Machining on Opposite Sides

exeric1 wrote:

> I'm confronted with the problem of machining two sides of the same
> material. The piece is irregular on its perimeter dimension, that is
> not square or rectangular or round. I'd like to reference the part
> zero on side 1 on side 2 and perhaps just mirror some of the
> commands. I'm trying to avoid having to use edge finders and such on
> the opposite side to find the same part zero on the other side. The
> part has 2 flat sides on its perimeter that meet at 90 degrees with a
> large fillet between them. I'm using the imaginary point where the
> two lines would meet without the fillet as my part zero on side 1.
>
> I'm using locating pins along the two flat sides to locate the part
> and fix the part zero. Any easy way to go about this? I'm going to be
> making many of these parts and I don't want to have to fuss over it
> every time I turn the part over.

Sure. Make what I call a 'sacrificial' and our shop calls a 'scab plate'.
You take a piece of scrap and drill holes for dowel pins and or clamping
bolts. You mount the part for the first side, machine, then flip it
over. You might use different holes for the dowels or clamp bolts.

One other possibility is to make a fixture with a part-shaped
hole in it, and some fingers that bolt onto the fixture that holds the
part from one side. Then, you have more fingers on the other side
that grip the part when you tighten thumbscrews. You machine
one side, and then flip the entire fixture over for the other side. This
leaves both entire faces clear except where the fingers are.

Jon