01 / 10 · The first machining setup

Locating Pads for First-Operation Sand Casting Machining

If your workshop will machine the casting, Relia can review sand-cast blanks with agreed first-operation locating pads. Define the locating, supporting and clamping contacts before ordering; the final machined datums do not yet exist when the blank enters the fixture.

Cast contacts

The features available when the blank arrives.

First operation

The setup that establishes the next references.

Finished datums

The contacts used by subsequent machining and acceptance.

Relia reviews the casting proposal against your fixture concept and required supplied condition.

Review your first machining setup

02 / 10 · Factory and machine-shop alignment

Casting Features That Support Your Fixture

Relia connects proposed cast contacts to the actual operation. A pad should have a defined location, contact purpose and condition, rather than simply appear as extra metal on the blank.

Machine-shop input

Locating direction, support contacts, clamping and tool approach.

Casting proposal

Pad geometry, surrounding sections, stock and delivery requirements.

Recessed round housing with external locating lugs — External regions may offer setup contacts while the final internal interfaces are unfinished.

03 / 10 · Locating plan

The First Setup and Its Contact References

Show where the fixture locates, supports and clamps the blank. Identify which contacts establish orientation and which simply support the component.

Include the machining sequence and the finished references that the first operation will create.

Define the complete casting-blank supply requirement

04 / 10 · Pad geometry

Locating Pad Position and Contact Area

Specify the region, envelope and contact condition required by the fixture. Review the pad's relationship to the surrounding casting and accessible stock.

Position and reach

The fixture must reach the intended contact without conflicting with nearby geometry.

Supporting section

The pad and surrounding region need review for the actual locating and clamping proposal.

Agree the contact condition before the blank is supplied

State whether the fixture uses an as-cast area or a prepared contact. Keep any preparation operation and dimensional requirement explicit in the supply scope.

Manufacturing detail

A Locating Pad Establishes a Repeatable First Reference

Locate: Establish the blank’s position and orientation from identified contacts.
Support: Resist the operation without forcing a flexible region into a false shape.
Clamp: Restrain the part with the agreed contact and tool-access arrangement.

First created datum

Check that the chosen setup leaves enough local stock for the other finished features. Specify any pad preparation or removal in the supply scope.

Read the manufacturing explanation

The first CNC fixture has to hold a real casting, including its permitted variation. Proposed pads should be accessible, supported and positioned so the first cut leaves the required geometry elsewhere. A convenient outside wall is not automatically a good datum. Agree the pad and stock relationship with the workshop that will receive the blank.

05 / 10 · Retained or removed

Temporary and Retained Pad Options

A proposed locating feature may remain in the finished component or be removed during machining. Agree that decision against the assembly envelope and drawing.

For a temporary feature, define its removal stage and the final condition of the affected region. For a retained feature, include its functional and appearance requirements.

Mounting disc with central boss and raised drilled pads — Raised contacts can serve different purposes in manufacturing and in the final assembly.

06 / 10 · Sequence planning

Stock and Access for Pad Removal

Locate and clamp

Use the agreed contacts for the first operation.

Create the next reference

Establish the face or feature used afterward.

Remove or finish the pad

Preserve the final envelope and local section.

Review tool access and the support available at each stage. A temporary feature should not become an unplanned finishing operation.

Review cast-and-machined supply as a separate delivery scope

Open bearing saddle with supporting feet and circular side windows — A support's feet and open seat introduce distinct fixture and inspection contacts.

07 / 10 · Incoming checks

Blank Acceptance Before the Fixture Is Loaded

Agree the blank checks that establish whether the locating regions and required stock are available. Connect measured observations to the drawing and supplied condition.

Relia can provide agreed key dimensional records. Set the characteristics and sampling frequency per order.

08 / 10 · Related cast forms

Housing and Support Geometry References

Use the selected housing, support or block to communicate the component family, then attach the actual fixture and drawing references.

View housing and mounting-disc enquiries View pivot and support casting enquiries View multi-opening block enquiries

Rectangular block with multiple openings and projecting fixing ears — A block may need different contacts for access to each machined face.

09 / 10 · Controlled release

Freeze the Fixture and Casting Revisions Together

Agreed blank

Pad positions, stock, prepared contacts and delivery condition.

Agreed setup

Fixture references, clamping and the first machining operation.

Approve samples against this shared basis before batch production. Revisit it when the fixture or component changes.

10 / 10 · Start a setup review

Share Your First-Operation Fixture Concept

Send Relia the drawing, material, quantities and locating sketch. Mark contacts, clamps, tool approach and the stock required for the first operation.

Email the fixture concept

Review our manufacturing scope · Explore Relia Casting

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +86 185 6176 2631
WhatsApp: +1 404 203 0971
Company and address: Relia Casting
No. 96 Shuyuan Road
Qingdao, Shandong, China