Jig (tool)

In metalworking and woodworking, a jig is a type of tool used to control the location and/or motion of another tool. A jig's primary purpose is to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products.^[1] A jig is often confused with a fixture; a fixture holds the work in a fixed location. A device that does both functions (holding the work and guiding a tool) is called a jig.^{[citation needed]}

An example of a jig is when a key is duplicated, the original is used as a jig so the new key can have the same path as the old one. Since the advent of automation and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines, jigs are often not required because the tool path is digitally programmed and stored in memory. Jigs may be made for reforming plastics.

Jigs or templates have been known long before the industrial age. There are many types of jigs, and each one is custom-tailored to do a specific job. Many jigs are created because there is a necessity to do so by the tradesmen. Some are to increase productivity, to do repetitious activities and to do a job more precisely.

Some types of jigs are also called templates or guides. Jigs include machining jigs, woodworking jigs (e.g. tapering jig), welders' jigs, jewelers' jigs, and many others.

Drill jig

A drill jig is a type of jig that expedites repetitive hole center location on multiple interchangeable parts by acting as a template to guide the twist drill or other boring device into the precise location of each intended hole center. In metalworking practice, typically a hardened drill bushing lines each hole on the jig plate to keep the tool from damaging the jig.

Drill jigs started falling into disuse with the invention of the jig borer.

Since the widespread penetration of the manufacturing industry by CNC machine tools, in which servo controls are capable of moving the tool to the correct location automatically, the need for drill jigs (and for the jobs of the drill press operators who used them) is much less than it previously was.

Different types of Drill jigs:

1. Plate jigs or channel jig.
2. Angle plate jig.
3. Box jig.
4. leaf or latch jig.
5. Sandwich jig.
6. Trunnion jig.
7. Jig for multi spindle machines.
8. Template jig
9. Universal Jig

Elements of Drill jigs

There are many elements which make up the drill jig assembly :

1. Jig plate.
2. Locating elements.
3. Clamping elements.
4. Drill bushes.

PCB jig

Main article: in-circuit test

Printed circuit board (PCB) jigs are used to test PCBs. They have a dump board inside the jig which can find fault in the PCBs.

See also

• Jig grinder
• Staircase jig
• Sharpening jig

References

1. ^ Henriksen, p. 1.

Bibliography

• Henriksen, Erik Karl (1973), Jig and fixture design manual, Industrial Press, ISBN 9780831110987, http://books.google.com/books?id=OX9hspFzRAsC. 

External links

• Wedge Operated Jig (The Wolfram Demonstrations Project)