There are many different aluminum companies that produce jig plate. Often called by different names including tool & jig plate or cast aluminum jig plate, this is a special type of plate.
Most aluminum alloys are available in bar, rod and plate. Some are also available in sheet form. The designation of jig plate or tool & jig plate means that the aluminum alloy is fine grained. This internal structure of very fine-grain aluminum alloy means that there is very little internal stress. In many types of jig plate, this internal stress is virtually insignificant. This type of plate is considered to be free from internal stresses.
The Benefits of No Internal Stress
The biggest factor with aluminum jig plate is the internal stability of the alloy. This means that when it is machined there is the minimum possible change in the internal structure due to working.
With this limited change, there is no warping or twisting of the metal through the machining process. With distortion or change maintained in the thousandths of an inch for tolerance, there is no need to have to re-work the piece.
This creates a more streamlined production process with one step. By saving on the additional machining and working costs during production, there is no waste and components made from the jig plate are identical production run after production run.
The Advantages
It is important to realize that aluminum jig plate is not selected for its strength, but rather its workability, machinability and its resistance to corrosion. This type of plate can be used in a wide range of different temperatures and environments as a jig or tool.
With the durability of the aluminum, these tools and jigs can be used as needed and will require very little in the way of maintenance and re-working. With the high level of corrosion resistance, there is no need for additional finishing, saving time and money in production.
It is used in a variety of industries from automotive to aerospace as well as in medical instrumentation, food processing and in electronic component production. Jig plates are also used in printing equipment, packing machinery and in CNC equipment components.
Once the tool or jig is no longer required, the jig plate can be fully recycled. This, along with the flatness and the lack of distortion when machined makes this aluminum product the best possible for this specific type of application.
