A Low-Cost Solution for Small-Volume Marking

If you're looking to solve the problem of small batch marking with a limited budget, here is a low-cost DIY method for making a cylindrical fixture. It can be completed with common materials, and is suitable for DIY enthusiasts or small studios.The kit covers fixture design, assembly techniques and usage scenarios, allowing you to easily solve the problem of fixing round objects in place and improving marking efficiency.

Why do you need a simple cylindrical fixture?

Many of my friends who do hand-stamping, engraving, or painting find it difficult to fix round objects in place.The price of a professional fixture is high, and it's likely to sit idle after being used only a few times.In fact, you can make your own low-cost clamping system with materials you have at home. Not only will this save you money, you can adjust the size to meet your own needs, and it is especially suitable for those who only occasionally need to handle small batches of parts.

Materials: Anything you can find.

Before you rush out to buy something on the Internet, open your toolbox and rummage around a bit.

The board is usually made of hard wood or acrylic.

The wood should be about 1 cm thick, which is the right thickness for the base and the arms. If it's too thin, it's easily deformed, and if it's too thick, it's hard to work with.

Screws and nuts.

The M4 or M5 screws can be purchased at any hardware store. They should be 3-5 cm long, and come with washers and wing nuts, which make it easy to tighten or loosen them by hand.

Rubber mats or anti-slip tape.

The strips are applied to the underside of the arms, to avoid scratching the workpiece and increase the friction to prevent slipping.

Steps to making it: Easy for anyone to do.

Cutting the base and the clamp.

The size of the base is determined by the diameter of the pillar.For example, if you want to pick up an object with a diameter of 3 cm, the base should be 8 to 10 cm wide to ensure stability.The arms should be 2-3 cm longer than the column, and a screw hole should be drilled in the top.

Assemble adjustable structure.

Attach the clamps to the sides of the base with screws, but don't tighten them too much, so that the clamps can move freely.A horizontal bar in the middle is used to adjust the distance between the two arms.

Adding a non-slip and cushioning layer.

Rubber pads are placed on the inside of the clamping arms, covering the areas that will come into contact with the work piece.If you need to clamp different size cylinders, it's suggested that you use adhesive tape that can be easily removed.

Practical use.

Getting the right clamps Don't rush to start work. Try these tips first:

Adjusting the grip.

Don't tighten butterfly nuts too much, especially when working with plastic or painted parts. It's enough to just tighten them enough to hold everything in place.

With a turntable, it's even more efficient.

If you need to mark from multiple angles, you can mount the clamps on a turntable, so you can rotate the workpiece with just one hand, without having to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble it.

Check regularly to see that screws are tight.

Wooden materials may warp over time, so the screws should be tightened every two or three months. If necessary, lubricating oil can be applied to moving parts.

After reading this, you may feel that it is not as difficult as you imagined. Next time you encounter a cylindrical marking application, why not try this solution? The money you save can be used to buy a nice cup of milk tea!