From First Op to Finish: A Fully Integrated 3-Operation Workholding System

Reducing setups is one of the fastest ways to improve throughput, accuracy, and consistency. This fixture was designed with exactly that goal in mind—combining first-operation efficiency with precise multi-axis finishing in a single, integrated system.

First Operation: Four-Part Bison Chuck Plate

The first operation is handled on a dedicated fixture plate designed specifically for Bison chucks. This plate allows four parts to be run simultaneously, making it an efficient and repeatable solution for first-op machining.

By running four parts at once, the system:

• Maximizes spindle utilization during the first operation

• Ensures consistent part location before finishing

• Reduces handling and setup time between operations

This first-op plate establishes a reliable starting point for each part before they move into the trunnion-based finishing operations.

Finishing Operations: Trunnion-Based Precision

Once first-op machining is complete, parts transition to the trunnion system on the left. This setup is built around a Lyndex-Nikken rotary table, paired with a Stallion 9-23 Trunnion Table, providing the rigidity and accuracy required for finishing multiple faces in fewer setups.

This trunnion configuration enables:

• Full access to remaining part features in two additional operations

• Accurate indexing and positioning for tight-tolerance features

• Improved surface finish by maintaining part datum consistency

• Reduced cumulative error compared to multiple standalone fixtures

The combination of the rotary table and trunnion allows complex geometries to be completed efficiently without sacrificing precision.

Stallion Lock Quick-Change Integration

To tie the system together, Stallion Lock quick-change components are used throughout the fixture. This allows for rapid changeover between operations while maintaining repeatability and alignment.

Benefits of the quick-change approach include:

• Faster transitions between first-op and finishing operations

• Repeatable location without re-indicating or probing

• Scalable flexibility for future part revisions or new jobs

• Reduced machine downtime during setup changes

Designed as a Complete Process, Not Just a Fixture

What makes this system effective isn’t just the individual components—it’s the way they work together as a complete machining process. First-op efficiency, multi-axis finishing capability, and quick-change flexibility are all integrated into a single solution.

This approach:

• Reduces total setups

• Improves part consistency from start to finish

• Increases spindle utilization

• Simplifies operator workflow on the shop floor

For shops running high-mix or growing production volumes, systems like this bridge the gap between flexibility and repeatable production.