Difference Between Jigs and Fixtures

In this article, we will learn about the difference between jigs and fixtures. These are the work holding and tool guiding devices used almost in every manufacturing industry. It is used to increase the productivity of the various parts produced in the industries. In this post, I will try to focus on all the major differences among them.

What are Jigs?

Jigs are the work holding device which holds, supports and locate the workpiece and guides tools to perform a specific operation. In other words, we can say that jigs are the device that is used for both purposes of holding the workpiece and guiding the tool.

It is a tool that is used to control the location and motion of the tool during the operations.

Jigs main purpose is to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products.
It is used in the unidimensional machining i.e drilling, taping, reaming etc.

Jigs are found to be light in weight and have complex designing.
In jigs, gauge blocks are not necessary and the cost of jigs is higher.
They are the special tools particularly used in drilling, reaming, tapping and boring Operations.

Jigs are not fixed to the machine table until a big operation is not required to perform.

Also Read:

What are Fixtures?

Fixtures are the work holding device which holds, supports and locate the workpiece but not guides the cutting tool to perform a specific operation. In other words the fixtures are only the work holding device that holds, supports, and locate the workpiece in the desired position to perform any operation.

The main purpose of the fixtures is to hold and locate the workpiece during any machining operation in the industries. And to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products.
It is used in multidimensional machining i.e. milling, grinding, turning etc.
Fixtures are found to be heavy in weight and have less complex design.

In fixtures, gauge blocks may be provided for effective handling and the cost of fixtures is not so high.
Fixtures are specific tools used particularly in milling machine, shapers and slotting machine.
Fixtures are fixed to the machine table.

Difference Between Jigs and Fixtures in Tabular Form:

S.no	Jigs	Fixtures
1.	It is a work holding device that holds, supports and locates the workpiece and guides the cutting tool for a specific operation.	It is a work holding device that holds, supports and locates the workpiece for a specific operation but does not guide the cutting tool
2.	jigs are used in unidimensional machining i.e. drilling,reaming, tapping, etc	fixtures are used in multidimensional machining i.e. milling,turning,grinding,etc .
3.	Jigs are light in weight.	Fixtures are rigid and bulky.
4.	Gauge blocks are not necessary.	Gauge blocks may be provided for effective handling.
5.	The jigs are special tools particularly used in drilling, reaming, tapping and boring operation.	Fixtures are specific tools used particularly in milling machine, shapers and slotting machine
6.	Usually it is not fixed to the machine table.	It is fixed to the machine table.
7.	Its cost is more.	Its cost is less as compared with the jig.
8.	Their designing is complex.	Their designing is less complex.

Comparison Between Jigs and Fixtures.

Jigs are the device which is used to holds, supports and locate the workpiece and it guides the cutting tool for a specific operation. Fixtures are the device which is used to hold, support and locate the workpiece and they don’t guide the cutting tool.
Jigs are used in unidimensional machining whereas fixtures are used in multidimensional machining.
In jigs, gauge blocks is not necessary. In fixtures gauge blocks may provided for effective handling.

Jigs are light in weight as compared with the fixtures.
The cost of jigs is higher when it is compared with the fixtures.
The jigs designing is complex whereas fixtures designing is less complex.

Jigs are not fitted to the machine table but fixtures are fitted.

This is all about the difference between jigs and fixtures. If you find anything missing or incorrect than don’t forget to comment us. And if you find this article informative then share it.