Jigs and fixtures do not have to be made of metal and can be 3D printed in an engineered plastic. This is a common misconception in the manufacturing industry, but with advancements in 3D printing technology and materials, 3D printed jigs and fixtures can offer several advantages over traditional metal ones.
Firstly, 3D printing allows for the rapid production of custom-designed jigs and fixtures that can be tailored to the specific needs of a particular manufacturing process or product. This flexibility can lead to increased efficiency and reduced downtime in the production process.
Secondly, engineered plastics used in 3D printing can offer comparable strength and durability to metals, while also being lighter and less expensive. This can reduce the cost of production and make it easier to handle and manipulate the jigs and fixtures.
Thirdly, 3D printing can offer greater design freedom and the ability to incorporate complex geometries or features that may be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional metal fabrication techniques.
Overall, 3D printed jigs and fixtures made from engineered plastics can be a cost-effective and flexible solution for manufacturing processes that require custom-designed tools with high strength and durability. It’s important to dispel the myth that jigs and fixtures have to be metal and recognize the potential benefits of 3D printing in this application.