Location

&
Locating Devices
Importance of location and locating
devices
• It is very important to understand the meaning of location before
understanding about the jigs and fixtures.
• The location refers to the establishment of a desired relationship between
the workpiece and the jigs or fixture.
• Correctness of location directly influences the accuracy of the finished
product.
• The jigs and fixtures are desired so that all undesirable movements of the
workpiece can be restricted.
• Determination of the locating points and clamping of the workpiece serve
to restrict movements of the component in any direction, while setting it
in a particular pre-decided position relative to the jig.
• Before deciding the locating points it is advisable to find out the all
possible degrees of freedom of the workpiece.
• Then some of the degrees of freedom or all of them are restrained by
making suitable arrangements. These arrangements are called locators
Importance of locating devices
To perform machining properly, work holders 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.
Referencing and Repeatability
"Referencing" is a dual process of positioning the workpiece relative to the work
holder, and the work holder relative to the cutting tool. Referencing the work
holder to the cutting tool is performed by the guiding or setting devices. With
drill jigs, referencing is accomplished using drill bushings. With fixtures,
referencing is accomplished using fixture keys, feeler gages, and/or probes.
Referencing the workpiece to the work holder, on the other hand, is done with
locators.
"Repeatability" is the ability of the work holder to consistently produce parts
within tolerance limits, and is directly related to the referencing capability of the
tool. The location of the workpiece relative to the Holder and of the Holder to
the cutter must be consistent. If the jig or fixture is to maintain desired
repeatability, the work holder must be designed to accommodate the
workpiece's locating surfaces.
Degrees of Freedom
Location plays a key role in the purpose of usage of jigs and fixtures in production
processes.

Location Principle of rectangular block

Any rectangular body many have three axis along x-axis, y-axis and z-axis.
It can more along any of these axes or any of its movement can be released to
these three axes.
At the same time the body can also rotate about these axes too.
So total degree of freedom of the body along which it can move is six.
For processing the body it is required to restrain all the degree of freedom (DOF)
by arranging suitable locating points and then clamping it in a fixed and required
position.
The Six Degrees of Freedom
• Figure shows a body that is free in space.
• A body in this condition had six degrees of freedom, three of these are freedoms
of translation and three are freedoms of rotation.
Location of a Cylinder on a Vee Block
The analysis of the principle of location of a cylinder on a Vee block is indicated
in Figure 4.2. All the degrees of freedom of the cylindrical object are restrained.
It is only fixed to move along axis AB. It can rotate about the axis AB. These free
movements are also indicated in the figure. If the operation to be done on the
cylindrical object requires restriction of the above mentioned free movements
also than some more locating provisions must also be incorporated in addition
to use of the Vee block.
Locating Principles
Positioning The Locator
The primary function of any locator is to reference the workpiece and
ensures repeatability of the process.
• Unless the locators are properly positioned, these functions can not
be accomplished.
• Whenever practical, position the locators so they contact the
workpiece on a machined surface.
• The best machined surfaces to use for location, when available, are
machined holes.
Positioning Methods
Positioning Type Description
Positioning of a workpiece by
[1] Method that adjusts the position of
pressing its face against the
the workpiece to the fixed datum plane
datum plane.
Allows for adjustments of
[2] Method of adjusting the positioning
orientations using adjustable
face (point)
locating pins.
Positioning of workpieces
[3] Method using locating pins using cylindrical or conical
locating pins.
Positioning of cylindrical
[4] Method using a V-groove workpieces in the longitudinal
direction along V-grooves.
Positioning of cylindrical
[5] Centering
workpieces to their centers.
Positioning of workpieces at
[6] Indexing specified distances over a
linear distance.
 Spacing of the locators
As a rule, space locators as far apart as practical.

Locators should be spaced as far apart as practical to compensate for slight

irregularities and for maximum stability.
 Controlling Chips
 The second consideration in the placement of locators involves the problem of chip control.
 Chips are an inevitable part of any machining operation and must be controlled so they do
not interfere with locating the workpiece in the work holder.
 Several methods help minimize the chip problem.
 First, position the locators away from areas with a high concentration of chips.
 If this is not practical, then relieve the locators to reduce the effect of chips on the location.
 In either case, to minimize the negative effects of chips, use locators that are easy to clean,
self-cleaning, or protected from the chips.
Avoiding Redundant Location
Another condition to avoid in work holder design is redundant, or duplicate,
location.
Redundant locators restrict the same degree of freedom more than once.
The part at (a) shows how a flat surface can be redundantly located. The part
should be located on only one, not both, side surfaces

The example at (b) points out the same

problem with concentric diameters. Either
diameter can locate the part, but not both.
The example at (c) shows the difficulty with combining hole and surface location.
Either locational method, locating from the holes or locating from the edges,
works well if used alone.
When the methods are used together, however, they cause a duplicate
condition. The condition may result in parts that cannot be loaded or unloaded as
intended.
Location Principles
• Workpiece Requisites: Dimensional requirements of the workpiece stated on
component drawing.

Location and Workpiece Dimensions

• Face A should be used as datum, so that hole will always be at distance D from
face A irrespective of the variation in length L.
• Location should be w.r.t. face A.
Location Principles
• Constraints: Location should prevent linear and rotary motion of the workpiece
along and around the three major axes X, Y and Z.

Six Degrees of Freedom

Preventing Improper Loading
Fool proofing prevents improper loading of a workpiece.
The problem is most prevalent with parts that are symmetrical or located
concentrically.
The simplest way to fool proof a work holder is to position one or two pins in a
location that ensures correct orientation, Figure 3-17.
With some workpieces, however, more-creative approaches to fool proofing must
be taken.
Figure 3-18 shows ways to fool proof part location. In the first example, shown at
(a), an otherwise-non functional fool proofing pin ensures proper orientation. This
pin would interfere with one of the tabs if the part were loaded any other way.
.

In the next example, shown at (b), a cavity in the workpiece prevents the part
from being loaded upside-down. Here, a block that is slightly smaller than the
opening of the part cavity is added to the work holder. A properly loaded part
fits over the block, but the block keeps an improperly loaded part from entering
the work holder
Using Spring-Loaded Locators
One method to help ensure accurate location is the installation of spring-loaded
buttons or pins in the work holder,
Figure 3-19. These devices are positioned so their spring force pushes the
workpiece against the fixed locators until the workpiece is clamped. These spring-
loaded accessories not only ensure repeatable locating but also make clamping the
workpiece easier.
Plastic part held using 2-way & 4-way spring-loaded pin standoffs,
Adjustable slides and Soft tip tension clamps Plastic part held using 2-
way & 4-way spring-loaded pin standoffs, Adjustable slides and Soft tip
tension clamps
Location Principles
• Motion economy: Location should facilitate easy and quick loading of the
workpiece in the fixture.
• Parallel locators are preferable to those placed at right angles.

Motion Economy in Location

• If we drill hole B first and use it for location while drilling hole C, it is possible to
load the workpiece on both the locators in hole A and B in one motion as both the
locators would be parallel.
Locating Tools
• Typically, locating pins are used for controlled, fine tolerance positioning of a
work piece.
• For example, a pallet that is moved along one axis, where the drive
mechanism is not accurate and stable enough to place it in a position
sufficiently accurate to execute a particular process, the use of locating pins
may be the best solution.
• Locators are made separate from the fixture or jig body.
• Made from casehardened steel accurately ground to size.
• A workpiece can be located from:
i. Plane surface
ii. Profile
iii.Cylindrical surface
Materials
Typically, locating pins are manufactured from hardened tool steel such as O1 heat
treated to 60-63Rc or from case hardened carbon steel (1045 with 45-50Rc).
In some cases, soft 300 series or hardened 400 stainless is used in assemblies
where no rust is accepted.
Please, remember that pins made out of soft materials will wear out much faster
than harden pins.
There is a variety of coatings that can be chosen based on your application.
In corrosive environments, a hard chrome, Dicoat or TiCN coatings can help extend
the life of the pin since they provide non-corrosive and hard layer that can be as
hard as 3000 Vickers.
A variety of insulating coatings or materials can be used in case of welding
applications.
KCF stainless steel coat is one surface treatment that provides great insulation and
prevents weld build-up between the work piece and the surface of the pin.
General methods of locating
Locating blanks for machining in lathes

In lathes, where the job rotates, the blanks are located by

ο fitting into self centering chuck
ο fitting into 4 – independent jaw chuck and dead centre
ο in self – centering collets
ο in between live and dead centres
ο by using mandrel fitted into the head stock – spindle
ο fitting in a separate fixture which is properly clamped on a
driving plate which is coaxially fitted into the lathe spindle.
Locating for machining in other than lathes
In machine tools like drilling machine, boring machine, milling machine, planing
machine, broaching machine and surface grinding machine the job remains
fixed on the bed or work table of those machine tools.
Fixtures are mostly used in the aforesaid machine tools and jig specially for
drilling, reaming etc. for batch production.
For machining in those jigs and fixtures, the blank is located in several ways
which include the followings :
Different methods used for
Location
The locating device and method depend on the shape of components.
Different methods used for Location
Flat Locator : Used for location of flat machined surfaces of the
component.
Pin and button locators
One of the simplest form of locator. In which a round pin/ button/ plugs is
used to hold the component in position.

 The main difference between pin and button locator is of its length.
 Buttons are shorter in length when compared to pin.
 The large size referred to as plugs.
 Pins are generally used in a horizontal location, while the button is used
for vertical location.
 Pin and button type of locator also made to adjustable type(adjust the
length according to requirement).
 Cylindrical locators
These are the simplest form of locating method. it is suitable where finely
finished holes are available for locating purpose.
fig(a) and (b) Shows the cylindrical locator used for small holes. First one shows
plain locating pin whereas the second one shows the locating pin with flanges. For
large holes, the pins shown in fi (c) is used.
Rest pads and plates locator
Rest pad and plates are similar to button locator; it is usually used to support and
locate workpiece vertically.
They do not have a shank; Instead, they are held to jig or fixture base plate by
using screws.

Rest pads are generally used to support larger and heavier surface as
well as the previously machined surface.
Profile locator
Profile locator used to locate the workpiece from outside edge. It may be
(i) nesting type (cavity type)
(ii) V-locator( a:- fixed type; b:- sliding type)

Above fig shows the nesting type profile locator. In which the component enclosed
in a depression of the same shape. Since it must confirm the shape, it is expensive
for complicated shape. However, it is the most accurate profile locating method.
V locator mainly used for round workpiece. Centralizing feature is the
main advantage of V locator.
Conical locator
The common method of locating from round workpiece. Fig shows types of
conical locator used (tapered shaft and tapered hole)
Location from Plane Surface
Location from Plane surface: Buttons
• Buttons are round and have either a flat head or
a crowned head.
• They are made of steel.
• Usually alloy steel, low grade tool steel
hardened to 40-45 RC, low carbon steel (AISI
1113) hardened to 53-57 RC.
• Ground after heat treatment to have precise
dimensions
• Flat buttons are used against machined surfaces
only.
• When the plane is defined by three buttons, they
are surface ground across their faces after
installation.
• Crowned buttons are used for unmachined
surfaces. However they do not provide a well-
defined bearing area.
Location from Plane surface: Buttons
Buttons are termed as –
• Rest buttons
• Stop buttons
Location from Plane surface: Button Positioning
• Installation of the button in the fixture body is
done with press fit in a cylindrical bore
(reamed or precision bored).
• The shank ends with 30o chamfer.
• Spot facing is done around the hole to provide
the seating for the head of the buttons
• Hole is chamfered to ensure good seating.
• Undercut is provided under the head.
Location from Plane surface: Buttons
• The buttons have interference fit / press fit with
the hole in the fixture.
• The shanks on the buttons are supplied with
standardised tolerances, resulting in oversize
ranging from 0.03 to 0.04mm.
• Rest and stop buttons are commercially available
in standardised dimensions.
Location from Plane surface: Buttons
• For the flat buttons, H can be • For the crowned buttons, H can be
selected from 1/3 D to 4/3 D (5 to selected from1/3 D to D.
25mm). • R = 3/2 D
• L = ½ (D + H) • B=¾D
• B = ¾ (D – 3) • L=¾D
Location from Plane surface: Buttons
Location from Plane surface: Threaded Buttons
• A threaded shank buttons are also used.
• They are installed in a tapped hole.
• This practice is not recommended as screw thread requires clearance and is less
accurate with respect to location and direction.
Location from Plane surface: Pins
• A pin is a cylindrical component that is contacted on its side.
• Height of the pin is not a critical dimension.
• Buttons can be substituted for pins, but pins can not be substituted for buttons.
• Installed by press fit.
• With or without a shank of a reduced diameter.
• Used for a nest.
• They are used as side stops and for locating in holes.
• Pins can be used on unmachined surfaces.
• Pins as side stop should be used only on shallow parts with light side loads.
Location from Plane surface: Pins
Location from Plane surface: Pads
• Pads are usually flat components made from steel and heat treated to similar
hardness levels.
• They are ground flat and parallel.
• They are used as base locators in cases where rest buttons do not provide
sufficient bearing area.
• Pads are placed at locations not easily accessible by the operator. Hence, the
edges and corners of a pad are usually not rounded or chamfered as the edges on
rest buttons. They are lightly polishes to make them smooth to touch.
• Pads are fastened by means of screws with countersunk heads.
Location from Plane surface: Pads
• Dowel pins are used to secure the position of the pads. Since screws are not
capable of precision location.
Location from Plane surface
• A machined surface can be better located by pads having a flat surface.
• For large components the pads can be screwed to the body of the fixture as
shown in figure.
• Due to use of locating pads only seats for the pads need to be machined instead
of entire body of the large fixture which saves machining time.

Location Pads for Large Fixtures

Location from Cylinder: Dowel Pins
• Dowels are used for permanent assembly
of two parts with significant precision.
• Two dowel pins are required for locating a
component and they are placed as far as
possible.

Standard Dowel Pins

Location from Cylinder: Dowel Pins
Location from Cylinder: Dowel Pins
• Dowel pin holes are drilled through so
that the pin can be taken out.
• The recommended bearing length of a
dowel pin in each part is 1 ½ to 2 times
the diameter of the pin.
• Dowel pins are cylindrical or tapered.
• The straight type is available in
unhardened and hardened form.
• The fit of the dowel pin can be a press fit Standard Dowel Pins
in each part.
• Tapered pins are easily taken out by the
application of light pressure or a blow on
the small end.
• Dowel pins are extensively used in the
construction of built-up fixture bodies.
Location from Cylinder: Dowel Pins
Location from Cylinder
• It is necessary to use two dowel pins to ensure that the workpiece is completely
constrained.
• If we use only one dowel pin P, plate B can pivot around P.
• The dowels P and Q should be placed as far a possible.

Use of Dowels
Location from Plane surface
• A plane surface can be located from 3 points
on the plane surface.
• A rough, unmachined surface can be located
with three location pads having point contact.
• Three location pins having spherical surfaces
at locating points can be used.
• The pins should be placed as widely as
possible for more accurate location.
• The height is adjusted to make the workpiece
surface parallel to the baseplate.
• An adjustable support with locking nut can be
used.

Adjustable Support for Rectangular Workpieces

Location from Plane surface
• 3 pins can define the plane but they can’t provide adequate support to the
workpiece during machining operation.
• Additional adjustable supports are necessary to prevent distortion and vibrations
in workpiece during clamping and machining.
• The number of additional supports would depend on the shape, size and strength
of the workpiece.

Adjustable Support

• The bolt with hex nut

Location from Plane surface

Adjustable Support
Location from Plane surface
• For locating very rough, uneven surfaces adjustable locating pads are used.
• Castings and forgings are located by adjustable screw pads.

Adjustable Locators
Summary
1. Location must be related to the dimensional requirements stated on the
component / workpiece drawing.
2. It is preferable to use a more accurately machined surface than a less accurate
surface for location.
3. The workpiece should be prevented from moving along and rotating around the
X, Y and Z axes.
4. Location system should facilitate easy and quick loading and unloading of the
workpiece and aim at motion economy.
5. Redundant locators must be avoided.
6. Location system should positively prevent wrong loading of the workpiece by
foolproofing.
Summary
Locating Methods: Plane surfaces
1. A reasonably flat surface can be located by three pins of equal height having
spherical surfaces at the location points.
2. A rough, uneven or tapered plane surface should be located by adjustable
location pins having spherical ends.
3. Additional adjustable supports are necessary to prevents vibrations or distortion
of the workpiece machining operation.
4. A machined surface can be located by pads having flat surface.
5. There should be ample clearance for burr or dirt to ensure proper seating of the
workpiece surfaces.
6. A cube can be prevented from linear movement and rotation around axes X, Y and
Z by six location pads.
Summary
Locating Methods: Profile
1. A profile can be located approximately by aligning it with a slightly bigger sighting
plate.
2. Locating pins can also be used to locate a profile or cylindrical workpieces.
3. Variations in workpiece sizes from batch to batch can be taken care of by using
eccentric locators whose eccentricity can be set to suit the batch.
4. Workpiece with little variation can be located precisely with nesting plates with
suitable provision for unloading or ejection.
Thank You!