Fixturing always seems to be one of those items that most shops forget about until the last minute. This is unfortunate because using the most efficient and cost effective fixturing can make a world of difference in your product cost structure.
Over the years we have seen CMM operators using just about whatever they can get their hands on to use as fixturing. Things like duct tape, putty and glue are commonly used to secure parts for inspection. While these types of media can be sufficient, a structured, repeatable fixturing system can reduce set-up times and costs, making you more competitive.