ENGINEERING STUDY / CHUCKJS—01
Three-Jaw ID-Expanding Chuck Study
A mechanical study of an ID-expanding three-jaw chuck and associated jaw deflection/manufacturing considerations.
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WorkholdingmacroDesign study
ID-Expanding Mandrel Generator
A SolidWorks VBA generator for a fixed-cone, sliding-sleeve expanding mandrel concept built as separate revolved bodies.
Read code & workflow ↗
Explore the code, workflow and required setup.
MY FOCUSDeveloped the multibody generation sequence, travel references, custom properties, and body-count checks.
ENGINEERING VALUE
Demonstrates automation applied directly to fixture concept development, with limitations called out before manufacture.
ENGINEERING STUDY / CHUCKJS—01
Engineering concept illustration.
01 / THE PROBLEM
The engineering challenge.
An ID workholding concept needed a repeatable parametric prototype layout and explicit motion/reference features.
02 / CONSTRAINTS
What the solution must consider.
- The macro creates a conceptual turned-body layout; physical sleeve slots, purchased hardware verification, stress, and manufacturing validation remain outside scope.
03 / ENGINEERING APPROACH
Reasoning before geometry.
01
Engineering method
Generate each axisymmetric body independently, retain clear design parameters, and add reference geometry that communicates motion and travel intent.
02
Workflow features
Separate revolved bodies; Fixed cone and sliding sleeve architecture; Travel reference sketch; Custom properties; Body-count verification.
04 / DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Connecting intent to execution.
Version 2.3 explicitly selects each named revolve sketch when creating the turned-body geometry.
- Separate revolved bodies
- Fixed cone and sliding sleeve architecture
- Travel reference sketch
- Custom properties
- Body-count verification
05 / VALIDATION
The checks behind the design.
Design study
The macro supports conceptual geometry generation. SolidWorks regeneration checks, sleeve-slot design, hardware selection, stress analysis and manufacturing validation are separate steps.
06 / OUTCOME
The value of the work.
Demonstrates automation applied directly to fixture concept development, with limitations called out before manufacture.
THE ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE
Connect constraints to the physical load path.
A useful workholding design balances location, support, clamping, access and distortion. Documenting these decisions gives manufacturing and quality teams a basis for reviewing the setup.
A question for a technical conversation
How would you verify location, contact and repeatability before production release?
LET’S BUILD SOMETHING THAT WORKS
Good design belongs
on the shop floor.
Considering a role in mechanical design, manufacturing methods,
fixture design, or estimation? Let’s connect.