01
The datum moves between operations
A tool that locates on a different face at op 2 than op 1 stacks two tolerances. A 0.02 mm error at each step becomes 0.04 mm at the pin. The part passes incoming inspection and still will not seat.
On-demand CNC machining
Custom Fixture Machining
Workholding, inspection and assembly fixtures, machined to ±0.005 mm. Aluminum, stainless, tool steel or PEEK. One prototype or a 10,000-part run, quoted in 12 hours.
±0.005 mm tolerance127 CNC machines16 five-axis centers12-hour quoteNo MOQISO 9001 / IATF 16949
15 yearsMachining since 2011
3 plantsDongguan and Singapore
150Technicians on staff
99.99%Qualification rate
Where tooling goes wrong
Four problems we hear from engineers
Most failures trace back to a drawing that left too much to the machine shop.
02
The fixture is not rigid enough
Thin plates and long overhangs chatter. Surface finish drops to Ra 3.2 μm, hole position drifts, and the operator slows the feed to compensate. Cycle time climbs while the tool still walks.
03
Nobody can re-order the same part
The original shop kept no setup sheet. Six months later the replacement block is 0.1 mm off and the line is down. Every hour of downtime is production you cannot bill.
04
The quote never comes back
Two weeks of email and still no DFM feedback. Your build slot moves. If the shop cannot read a GD&T frame, it cannot hold the position tolerance either.
How we build it
Fixture design and machining from one shop
Send the part drawing and the locating scheme. We return a manufacturable tool design and a price.
Design for locating
Start from the datum, not the block
Before any metal is cut, we read the part print and pick the locating scheme. Which face sets Z, which two pins set X and Y, where the clamps land so they do not deflect the part. That decision fixes the tolerance stack for the whole fixture.
The drawing review covers clearance for the probe, chip evacuation, and whether the operator can load the part with gloves on. DFM feedback and a firm quote come back within 12 hours.
- 1Datum planOne primary face, two locating pins, clamps opposite the cut.
- 2Tolerance stackEach interface budgeted so the total stays inside ±0.005 mm where it matters.
- 3Load accessClearance checked for the probe, the clamp handle and the operator's hand.
Machining
Cut in one setup where the geometry allows
A tool cut in one setup holds its own datums. Our 16 simultaneous 5-axis centers reach five faces without re-clamping, which removes the second-op error that causes most misalignment. Long base plates up to 4,000 mm run on the large-travel machines.
Hardened locating pins and bushings are ground after heat treat. If a feature needs a fit the mill cannot hold, we grind it. That is the difference between a clamp that repeats and one that drifts after 200 cycles.
- 1One setupFive-axis access cuts re-clamping error on complex nests.
- 2Ground fitsPins, bushings and slots ground after hardening.
- 3Big and small4,000 × 400 × 150 mm travel down to a Ø400 mm rotary table.
Selection guide
Which material and process for your fixture
Match the tool to the load, the cycle count and the environment.
| Fixture type | Typical material | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection gage | 6061-T6, 7075 | Stable, light, easy to re-machine |
| Welding nest | 1018, 4140, A36 | Resists spatter and heat |
| Assembly plate | 6061-T6, 5052 | Cheap to modify as the line changes |
| High-cycle clamp | 4140, 4340, tool steel | Holds hardness at the contact point |
| Cleanroom or medical | 316L, PEEK, 17-4PH | Corrosion resistant, cleanable |
| Optical or laser | 6061, 2024, Inconel | Low thermal drift under heat load |
What we make
Fixture work we take on
One shop for the metal, the finish and the inspection report.
01
Workholding fixtures
Nests, soft jaws, vacuum plates and toggle clamps cut to your part geometry.
02
Inspection gages
Go/no-go gages, check fixtures and CMM holding plates with ground datum features.
03
Welding and assembly jigs
Heat-resistant nests that hold position through the weld cycle and release clean.
04
Test and test-bench tooling
Mounting plates and adapters for vibration, pressure and life-cycle rigs.
05
Precision components
Pins, bushings, locating blocks and stops, ground to fit after hardening.
06
Finishing and marking
Hardcoat anodizing, black oxide, laser-marked part numbers down to 1.5 mm.
Build scope
What is included on a fixture order
| Item | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm | On critical locating features |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.8–1.6 μm | Ra 0.2–0.8 μm on request |
| Inspection | 100% before shipment | Report on request |
| Lead time | Parts ship in 3–5 days | Production start within 24 hours |
| Quantity | No minimum | One prototype to 10,000+ parts |
| Confidentiality | NDA on request | Uploads kept secure |
Why GreatLight
Built for repeatable tooling
Numbers we can back with a report, not adjectives.
±0.005
mm on locating features
Ground datums and pins hold position across the run, so the tenth part locates like the first.
15Y
Machining tooling since 2011
Fifteen years of nests, gages and jigs across aerospace, medical and automation programs.
127
CNC machines under one roof
16 five-axis centers, 12 four-axis mills, 16 mill-turn centers and 27 three-axis machines.
12 h
To quote and DFM feedback
A human engineer reads the drawing. No automated price with hidden assumptions.
24 h
To start production
Material is booked and the setup sheet is written before the spindle turns.
ISO
9001, IATF 16949, 13485, 27001
Quality system and data handling audited to the standards your program requires.
Application results
What these industries need from a fixture
Aerospace inspection gages
Thin-wall housings need a nest that will not squeeze the part out of round. Soft jaws and low clamp force keep the bore true through measurement.
- ±0.005 mm
- Ra 0.8–1.6 μm
- 100% inspected
Automotive and EV weld nests
Battery tray and bracket cells need heat-resistant locating that survives the weld cycle. 1018 and 4140 nests hold position and release clean.
- 1018 / 4140
- Heat resistant
- 3–5 day ship
Medical and cleanroom tooling
316L and PEEK plates for device assembly, with smooth radii and no trapped pockets that hold residue after cleaning.
- 316L / PEEK
- ISO 13485
- No MOQ
Robotics and automation cells
End-effector mounts and cell plates where hole position sets the reach. One-setup five-axis work keeps the pattern true.
- 5-axis
- ±0.005 mm
- One setup
FAQs
Questions engineers ask before ordering
What do you need to quote a fixture?
The part drawing with GD&T, the locating and clamping scheme if you have one, and the material you want. If the tool design is open, we propose one.
A STEP file helps but is not required. A 2D print with datums marked is often enough to start.
Can you hold ±0.005 mm on a large base plate?
On the locating features, yes. Large plates are sensitive to thermal drift and clamping distortion, so we rough, stress-relieve where needed, then finish.
We tell you which features can realistically hold the tight number and which should be loosened. Over-tolerancing a non-critical face only adds cost.
How many parts before a fixture pays off?
It depends on the cycle time saved and the scrap rate you have now. If a manual setup costs 10 minutes per part, the tool pays back fast.
For low volumes, a modular plate with standard pins may be cheaper than a dedicated nest. We will say so if that is the better route.
Do you design the fixture or only machine it?
Both. Send the part and we return a tool design with the datum plan. If you already have a design, we review it for manufacturability before quoting.
Design changes that reduce cost are flagged in the 12-hour DFM response.
What materials do you machine for tooling?
Aluminum 6061, 7075, 2024 and 6082, stainless 303, 304, 316L and 17-4PH, carbon and alloy steels including 4140 and 4340, tool steel, brass, and plastics such as POM, PEEK and ABS.
Hardened inserts and ground pins are sourced or machined to match.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No. We run a single prototype or a 10,000+ part production run on the same process.
Re-orders use the saved setup sheet, so the second batch matches the first.
How do you keep our design confidential?
Uploads are kept secure and confidential. An NDA is available on request before you send files.
Data handling is audited under ISO 27001:2022.
What inspection comes with the order?
Raw material check, in-process monitoring and a final inspection on 100% of parts before shipment.
A standard inspection report is included. First-article and dimensional reports are available on request.
Send the part drawing, get a tool quote
Upload the print and the locating scheme. A process engineer replies with DFM feedback and a firm price within 12 hours.
12-hour quote100% inspectionNo minimum order quantity
