Foundation Plates

[cncClintain]

Anyone ever tried to make their own foundation plates like Chick Workholding does?

[psychomill]

foundation plates ??? would you elaborate on what you're calling 'foundation plates'?

[cncClintain]

Originally Posted by psychomill foundation plates ??? would you elaborate on what you're calling 'foundation plates'?

Chick makes what they call a foundation plate. What it is basically is a plate that bolt to your cnc table and covers all of the T slots. The plate has holes spaced 50 mm apart. Every hole is tapped at the bottom and bushed at the top allowing for fixtures to be mounted consistently in the same location to reduce set up time. I was just wondering if anyone has made their own with any success. Trying to figure out if its worth the hassle or if it would be cheaper to just buy one. I don't know what to make it out of or how to go about grinding it.

[Delw]

I made one for my fadal, but had a real one(ground and everything ) on a acroloc I bought. turned out making one cost more than buying one. you would need to send it out for grinding, heat treat etc etc not to mention moving a big ass chunk of steel around, unless you have the capabilities its cheaper to buy them already made.

I forget the name of the company they are in phoenix AZ and have one of the best subplates I have ever seen/used. they been making them for year's many of my customers have them and they love them.
I have been tempted to buy one for my fadal and haas.
For the life of me I cant remember there name, the company posts on this board but cant remember his member name. there just south of indian school road and around 37th ave in phoenix arizona. whats really bad is I did a few small jobs for them in the early 90's and still cant remember there name just were they are. sucks getting old.
they are very pleasant people to talk to as well.

Delw

[Delw]

Stevens manufacturing or stevens engineering was the name if I recall

[Delw]

heres a website link
STEVENS ENGINEERING INC. Modular Fixturing CNC Tombstones CNC Subplates Angle Plates Vises Clamps for Machine Shops

[cncClintain]

Originally Posted by Delw I made one for my fadal, but had a real one(ground and everything ) on a acroloc I bought. turned out making one cost more than buying one. you would need to send it out for grinding, heat treat etc etc not to mention moving a big ass chunk of steel around, unless you have the capabilities its cheaper to buy them already made. I forget the name of the company they are in phoenix AZ and have one of the best subplates I have ever seen/used. they been making them for year's many of my customers have them and they love them. I have been tempted to buy one for my fadal and haas. For the life of me I cant remember there name, the company posts on this board but cant remember his member name. there just south of indian school road and around 37th ave in phoenix arizona. whats really bad is I did a few small jobs for them in the early 90's and still cant remember there name just were they are. sucks getting old. they are very pleasant people to talk to as well. Delw

Thanks a lot. Im gonna pitch the idea to the owner and I know he's gonna want to try to make it ourselves but I hope to convince him otherwise. What was your "not real" plate on your fadal...material and quality wise?

[JoeFin]

Not so much a "Foundation Plate" but I make Part specific subplates all the time. Usually 2" thick Al, usually for a 2nd op, some times the part fits into a recessed cavity with cam locks, drain holes, and or indexing pins - depends on the part. Some times the subplate is fitted with 2" legs so I can still bolt down a vise next to it and run 1st and 2nd op at the same time

Best part is when the run is over I can flip the plate over and start again or just chuck it and get another 1 and I am not out a lot of money