I need to make a fixture for a machine at work--imagine a router bit holder--that can hold 49 evenly spaced vials (bits). 7 rows and 7 columns. However, the challenge is I need each vial to sit in the fixture at a 10deg angle from vertical and I need the bottom to be at a consistent height.
I had to make a smaller fixture for 24 vials (4x6) and I had our machinist design it in Solidworks and I 3D printed it. Well, the 3D printer broke soon afterwards so I need to go old school.
Here are the facts:
1) The center to center spacing of the vials is 2cm.
2) I want the final fixture to be about 15cm x 15cm (~6"x~6") square
3) It should be at least 2cm tall.
Here's what I was thinking:
1) Cut a 3/4" thick board to 6"x6" and lay out a 7x7 grid with a mark at every 2cm.
2) Rip 6 strips to exactly 2cm wide.
3) Tilt the drill press table to 10deg to the left from vertical
4) Line up my forstner bit on the right most column of marks and clamp a fence on the drill press table to the left side of the block.
5) Set the depth to as deep as possible without blowing through the bottom.
6) Drill the first seven holes in column 7.
7) Add one of the 2cm strips between the fence and block.
8) Drill the second seven holes in column 6.
9) Repeat steps 7 and 8 until all the holes are drilled.
Other than getting the 3D printer fixed (which isn't going to happen fast enough), is this a good way to do it? Is there a better way?
Thanks,
Paul
I had to make a smaller fixture for 24 vials (4x6) and I had our machinist design it in Solidworks and I 3D printed it. Well, the 3D printer broke soon afterwards so I need to go old school.
Here are the facts:
1) The center to center spacing of the vials is 2cm.
2) I want the final fixture to be about 15cm x 15cm (~6"x~6") square
3) It should be at least 2cm tall.
Here's what I was thinking:
1) Cut a 3/4" thick board to 6"x6" and lay out a 7x7 grid with a mark at every 2cm.
2) Rip 6 strips to exactly 2cm wide.
3) Tilt the drill press table to 10deg to the left from vertical
4) Line up my forstner bit on the right most column of marks and clamp a fence on the drill press table to the left side of the block.
5) Set the depth to as deep as possible without blowing through the bottom.
6) Drill the first seven holes in column 7.
7) Add one of the 2cm strips between the fence and block.
8) Drill the second seven holes in column 6.
9) Repeat steps 7 and 8 until all the holes are drilled.
Other than getting the 3D printer fixed (which isn't going to happen fast enough), is this a good way to do it? Is there a better way?
Thanks,
Paul
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