On each dovetail fixture detail product page it states it is for five-axis machining. Will it work on three or four-axis machining too?
Why should I choose Raptor Dovetail Fixtures?
One of the concerns with other dovetail workholding solutions is the extreme force the operator needs to apply to tighten bolts and secure the workpiece. Raptor is specially designed to press the workpiece into a solid shoulder. The clamps can be engaged by hand with a simple T-handle without the effort of other solutions.
Workpieces are loaded and aligned with a simple center locating pin, locked in place with a quick turn of the T-Handle and ready to go. Even better, once the cycle is complete the workpiece can be unloaded just as easily– unlike other workholding solutions you do not need to pry the part off the clamp. Simply loosen the clamp and lift it off. Simple.
When using a dovetail fixture after machining the workpiece, is it normal for the material on the dovetail protrusion to sometimes distorted from the clamps?
See the two photos below of an aluminum body that display some clamp distortion in two places from the clamps. If it looks like this then you do not have to be concerned (it is normal). When you run harder materials, such as heat treated 17-4, there is no distortion from the clamps.
Be sure that you do not over-tighten the clamps. If you over-tighten the clamps you can crack or damage your workpiece and/or the fixture. The proper torque information is available on our Web Site.
NOTE: Clamps must be tightened between 120 and 175 inch pounds of torque.
DO NOT EXCEED 200 Inch Pounds.
What is a Dovetail Height and Width?
On the dovetail fixtures, the clamp area looks small. How big can the workpiece be?
Raptors’ dovetail fixture design of the small clamping area allows for increased accessibility & clearance to five sides of a workpiece. This allows for the workpiece to overhang the fixture.
All clamps are made with 17-4 stainless steel. The combination of the spring-loaded clamps with the dovetail design enhances the holding strength, prevents chatter and gives greater flexibility in operations. How it works: When tightening the clamps, they will engage with the the angles of the dovetail prepped workpiece, causing the workpiece to pull downward into the radius of the opposing solid shoulder. Super strength.
On the Dovetail Prep Sketches you require that the .1250 Dimension be held to +.000 / - .001. Is that really necessary?
NOTE: With our Raptor Dovetail Cutters you can machine both surfaces and machine the proper edge break with the same tool.