From: none@none.com99   
      
   When I can make a mold that I think will sell more than one I like to   
   find or make a fixture plate that will allow me to cut more than one   
   piece at a time.  Its handy for some things to have a single reference   
   point machined into the plate with hard stops for each piece.  It makes   
   the plate less universal, but its very fast to setup for a second,   
   third, fourth batch.   
      
   Its not always as universal as I would like.  I've found with open ended   
   fixture plates, and a single adjustable work stop I can setup multiple   
   rows of mold plates.  I often have to leave a small gap between them or   
   parting line air vents would leave marks on non vented plates or in in   
   appropriate places on the next mold plate.   
      
   I would set one plate in the first row, and hten use a precision   
   straight edge to set the first plate in the next row, then use a gage   
   block to set the next plate in each row.  Yesterday I was thinking it   
   might be handy to have multiple gage blocks, and then I realized I have   
   several sets of cheap to mid price parallels.  Thickness isn't always   
   perfect, but height is very good.  Even on the cheapest sets.   
      
   I set the first plate, threw down a parrallel and pinched it in place   
   with the next block in the same row.  Then I just pinched the other end   
   of it with the first pair plates in the next row.  I placed 6 plates   
   (all that would fit) almost as fast as I could tighten down the edge   
   clamps.  It might not be perfect, but is definitely with in the set of   
   values defined as "good enough."   
      
   I presize blanks manually on another mill these days, so across six   
   plates total positional variation is within a couple thousandths.   
   Alignment of features from plate to plate is as good as the machine.   
      
   I know.  I know, it only saves a few minutes, but I begrudge minutes   
   that could be saved.   
      
      
      
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
      
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