A fixtures is a workholding or support device used in the manufacturing industry. What makes a fixture unique is that each one is built to fit a particular part or shape. The main purpose of a fixture is to locate and in some cases hold a workpiece during either a machining operation or some other industrial process. A jig differs from a fixture in that a it guides the tool to its correct position in addition to locating and supporting the workpiece.

The primary purpose of jigs and fixtures is to:

• Reduce the cost of production
• Maintain consistent quality
• Maximize efficiency
• Enable a variety of parts to be made to correct specifications

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