Custom parts
A good fixture locates the work consistently, resists the process forces, and leaves room to load, clamp, and remove it.
Locate before clamping
Locating features establish position; clamps keep the work against those references. Using clamp force to drag a flexible part into an uncertain location can create variation. Keep the load path clear and leave room for the operator to install and remove the workpiece.
Choose materials by the contact
A machined metal base can provide stiffness while replaceable plastic pads protect a finished surface. Printed nests can help evaluate contact geometry before committing to a final tool. Consider chips, heat, chemicals, and wear when selecting the actual production contact material.
Design for repeat use
Provide clearance for tools and chip escape. Use replaceable wear features where practical. Avoid trapping burrs or debris on the locating surfaces. If a fixture controls a critical measurement or manufacturing feature, its own geometry needs suitable inspection requirements.
Define the project scope
A component made to supplied CAD and a complete fixture-design project are different deliverables. The RFQ should identify geometry, workpiece interfaces, process forces, quantity, and the required outcome. Application examples are design guidance, not a claim that an unreviewed fixture is production-ready.