Areas Suitable for Support

While the print reveals the possibility that the workpiece will need additional support even when properly situated, the process engineer should decide what additional areas may be best provide it. No workpiece is completely rigid. Forces formed by the cutting action deflect the unsupported workpiece causing the tool to chatter. The consequence is poor surface finish and loss of dimensional control. The addition of supporting elements to the workpiece must take place after the locating surfaces have been established. Some significant guides for selecting supporting areas are as follows:

1. Choose supporting areas on the work piece where maximum deflection is likely to occur.

2. Check the part print and select support areas that will not interfere with the location of the workpiece or displace locating areas.

3. Make sure that support areas are not the similar as those that are to be machined.

4. Select supporting areas which will permit the mechanical elements of support without interfering with the loading and unloading of the workpiece from the tooling.