General Machining

General Machining & Job Shops: Standardise on Zero-Point

In high-mix job shops, setup time — not cutting time — usually decides what a machine can produce in a day. Standardising on a common zero-point interface and reaching difficult features without a second machine are the fastest ways to lift utilisation.

Machining challenges in general machining

Setup time dominates on high-mix, low-volume work
Deep pockets, side bores and cross holes are hard to reach vertically
Mixed jobs move across several machines with different setups
Recovered spindle time only pays off if it can be sold

How our workholding & tooling helps

Zero-point positioning

A common interface grid across machines lets pre-set jobs drop in and locate in seconds, standardising fixturing and lifting spindle utilisation.

Zero-Point Positioning Systems

Angle head milling cutters

Fixed or adjustable heads reach deep cavities, side bores and cross holes in one operation, instead of a second setup or a new machine.

Angle Head Milling Cutters

Typical parts

Moulds and dies
One-off fixtures
General precision parts
Sub-assemblies

Representative scenario

Challenge — Deep cavities, side bores and cross holes are hard to reach with a vertical spindle, and every job needs its own setup.

Solution — Angle head milling cutters reach the features, while a common zero-point grid standardises fixturing across machines.

Result

One setup instead of two
Standardised fixtures across machines
Higher spindle utilisation

Illustrative scenario based on typical results, not a specific client engagement.

Frequently asked questions

How much setup time can a zero-point interface save a job shop?+

Manual dial-indicating can take 15–60 minutes per setup; a zero-point interface reduces that to seconds because the pre-set pallet self-locates. For high-mix shops the payback is usually measured in months.

When should I use an angle head instead of a second setup?+

Whenever a feature is on the side or at a fixed angle and re-fixturing would cost more time than an angle-head pass — cross-holes, side pockets and tapped faces are typical wins.

Zero-Point Positioning Systems Angle Head Milling Cutters Request a Quote