A jig holds the workpiece and guides the cutting tool, so every part is machined in exactly the same place. A drilling jig with hardened bushes positions each hole accurately.

A fixture holds and locates a workpiece securely on a machine table but does not guide the tool. Fixtures are used in milling, welding and assembly.

What is a template in manufacturing?

A template is a pattern of the finished shape used to mark out or check parts. A plywood template lets a router copy the same curved profile onto many chair legs.

How is a welding fixture used when assembling a steel frame?

The fixture clamps each tube in its exact position before welding. Every frame is then square and identical, and distortion is reduced.

Justify the use of a drilling jig for 500 identical brackets.

A jig positions every hole identically without marking out, so all 500 brackets fit their assemblies. The jig saves time on each part and costs little when spread over 500.

CCEA A-Level Technology and Design 8900

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Product Design in Industry and Society

Jigs, fixtures and ICT in quality control

3 things to know
A2 1

Overview

Jigs, fixtures and templates, poka-yoke, calibration, coordinate measuring machines, sensors in moulding, barcode and RFID traceability and ICT-based quality systems.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is a jig?

Key term

What is a fixture?

Key term

Why does a jig improve quality in batch production?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is a jig?
Model answer
A jig holds the workpiece and guides the cutting tool, so every part is machined in exactly the same place. A drilling jig with hardened bushes positions each hole accurately.
2
What is a fixture?
Model answer
A fixture holds and locates a workpiece securely on a machine table but does not guide the tool. Fixtures are used in milling, welding and assembly.
3
Why does a jig improve quality in batch production?
Model answer
A jig removes the need to mark out each part, so measuring errors are eliminated. Every part matches the first, and less operator skill is needed.
4
What is a template in manufacturing?
Model answer
A template is a pattern of the finished shape used to mark out or check parts. A plywood template lets a router copy the same curved profile onto many chair legs.
5
How is a welding fixture used when assembling a steel frame?
Model answer
The fixture clamps each tube in its exact position before welding. Every frame is then square and identical, and distortion is reduced.
6
Justify the use of a drilling jig for 500 identical brackets.
Model answer
A jig positions every hole identically without marking out, so all 500 brackets fit their assemblies. The jig saves time on each part and costs little when spread over 500.

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