Designing Restrained State Quality Fixtures for Flexible Plastic Assemblies
Restrained state fixtures simulate final assembly fasteners with calibrated clamps on datum targets to measure flexible plastic profiles accurately.
MIC-6 Aluminum Plate
Meaning
Cast aluminum alloy known for high dimensional stability and uniform grain structure, frequently used as the base material for polymer inspection fixtures. A mic-6 aluminum plate undergoes a stress-relieving process that prevents it from bowing or twisting when it is machined into complex shapes. This stability is essential for maintaining the relationship between locator pins and clamping points over thousands of cycles.
It provides a lightweight but rigid platform for mounting heavy resin parts.
Machining Stability
Precision grinding on both sides of the plate ensures a flat surface for the mounting of secondary components. Because the internal stresses are minimal, a mic-6 aluminum plate does not move when holes are drilled or pockets are milled. This quality allows for the construction of fixtures that hold a tolerance of less than 0.05 millimeters.
Tooling shops prefer this material for large gauge bases where weight reduction is necessary for operator safety.
Thermal Performance
Expansion coefficients of the aluminum must be factored into the measurement of plastic parts. While a mic-6 aluminum plate is stable, the expansion coefficient means it will still expand and contract with fluctuations in the ambient temperature of the quality lab. This movement can introduce errors if the fixture is not allowed to soak at the same temperature as the moulded parts.
Using this material ensures that the base itself does not become a source of measurement error.
Surface Durability
Anodizing is often applied to protect the soft metal surface.