VERSATILE T-SLOT BLOCKS MAKE MACHINE JOBS FASTER AND EASIER

This versatile color coded workholding system is modular, so it can also be used as dedicated fixture plates or dedicated setup stations.

The T-Slot Block from Tau Ceti Co. (Conroe, TX) is a workholding product that makes precision machine jobs faster and easier. The T-Slot Block is a versatile system for workholding, having many important features and advantages, such as industry standard T-Slots and threaded holes for corresponding T-nut studs or bolts.

T-Slots and threaded holes are designed into each block to allow the user to employ existing in-house T-Slot tooling, such as T-nuts, studs, clamps, straps, etc. These blocks are modular in nature and can be used as dedicated fixture plates, or dedicated setup stations. But the uses don’t end there.

The T-Slot Block aids the placement of T-nuts or studs or bolts anywhere they are needed on the machine table. They offer numerous clamping possibilities and strategies which were difficult and expensive to pursue using modular fixtur­ing kits from various companies. Although most of these “Fixturing Kits” allow the use of T-Slot tooling, the blocks are different from the so called “Fixturing Kits” since expensive mounting plates, locat­ing keys or other mounting peripherals are no longer needed. Simply mount the T-Slot Block onto the existing mill table.

One crucial feature of these blocks is that they all come with built in mounting tabs, or keys. These keys or tabs are on the bottom of each block. They come in four popular sizes to fit most mill tables. Figure1 shows a sample of the T-Slot Blocks. Notice that they are color coded to aid rapid setups. Blue colored blocks for one T-Slot, red colored for two T-Slots, and that can be provided in parallel or perpendicular. The black colored T-Slot block is a blank. Not shown are the green colored blocks that are designed like a strap, providing T-Slots.

In the example shown in Figure 2, a large steel plate is to be machined. A 45 deg chamfer must be milled on the edge of the part. The steel plate measures 8 in x 30 in x ½ in. The steel plate is too large for most vises. Only large and heavy vises could hold this. But then milling that chamfer on the edge may also be challenging with a vise.

At a fraction of the cost of two big heavy vises, ten T-Slot Blocks and two T-Slot Block Minis are used. The clamp­ing consist of five medium sized strap clamps, and two small strap clamps. The two T-Slot Block Minis serve as edge reference placement for the steel plate. In this scenario the cutting tool can reach most of the edge of the steel plate. One way to mill the chamfer is to mill the central edge, then – without moving the steel plate – simply relocate the two small forged clamps.

Working with large pieces is something that most vises cannot handle. And the cost of using fixture plates and all the required tooling that is associated with that is very expensive. Most of the tooling for the fixture plates works only with the plates in the kit. The T-Slot Blocks are designed to work with common T-Slot tooling, and in some cases can work with fixture plates and/or fixture tooling.

If a shop has common T-Slot tooling and they find themselves needing more work holding op­tions but don’t like the idea of investing in fixture plates and fixture tooling due to the high cost, then the T-Slot Block solution fits that need. T-Slot Blocks require a much smaller original investment, and since they are compatible with existing work holding tooling, they minimize your investment in tooling. www.T-SlotBlock.com