b'Look-AheadFIXTURE FLEXIBILITY AT THE SHOP By Ken SchnepfD esigned for completing a wide range of projects, the Uni-Vee is a single V-block fixture from Se-attle-based Dunlap Tool and Die Inc. The fixture has a rectangular main body and is indexable by 180 about a vertical axis and 90 each way about a horizontal axis to pro-vide repeatable vertical and hori-zontal positioning.The V-block can be used to ma-chine the workpiece with an unusual amount of flexibility, and both can be moved around the shop as one unit, said Mark Dunlap, owner and operator of Dunlap Tool and Die and inventor of the fixture.The design specifically allows a user to quickly and accurately rotateDunlap Tool and Diethe fixture 180. The Uni-Vee holdsThe prototype of the Uni-Vee fixture is shown in use.one workpiece and enables users to work on multiple sides of a part in acasional shop use for it. it all work as one unit to make it as single fixturing. With no protrusions on its front,simple as possible. It also has re-With a clamping range from 50.8back or bottom, the Uni-Vee canplaceable, configurable and remov-mm (2") to 304.8 mm (12"), the stan- be installed directly into a millingable jaws.dard Uni-Vee is offered with a chainvise or laid flat on a table or sur- He said the fixture can be at-and pawl clamp system that is ad- face plate. This capability also letstachedtoanoldermachineto justable from both ends. Once ad- the fixture lie down for the contour- rough bores, grab them and attach justed, a centrally operated mecha- ing of custom jaws, eliminating thethem on a CNC. The Uni-Vee en-nism clamps and locks with oneneed for a special fixture and po- ables older, underutilized machines motion. A single motion similarlytentially increasing the accuracy ofto be used economically.unlocks and unclamps a workpieceshop-built jaws. Lets say I have an 8"-dia. (203 and subfixture. A baseplate acces- The main benefit is its flexibility,mm) piece of stock and it needs a sory permits easier access to theDunlap said. You can do so much4"-dia. (102 mm) hole in it, Dunlap common data point feature whenwith it. Even in the CNC program- said. You dont want to rough a big indexing. ming environment, you can makebore on a small CNC machine be-In my experience, Dunlap said,cause its abusive to the expensive V-block fixturing has always pre- machine.sented a number of shortcomings.about the author The Uni-Vees indexing feature When the unusual combination of aand clamping security offer fast set-current job requirement and avail- Ken Schnepf is aups and sufficient holding power for able time/materials allowed the op- freelance writerprecise, efficient cuts.CTEportunity, I built a fixture that wouldbased in theFor more information about Dunlap Chicago area. He address a couple of those short- can be reached atTool and Die, call 360-202-6271 or comings in the hopes of finding oc- [email protected]. visit www.univeefixtures.com.48JUNE 2020LookAhead.indd 48 5/15/20 9:55 AM'