A jig is defined as “a device that holds a piece of work and guides the tools operating on it” by Oxford Languages.
After the Chassis has been designed, the tubes are usually supplied and cut by a supplier. The team receives the Chassis tubes as numbered individual pieces that will need to be welded together to form the designed Chassis. The image below shows the Chassis for MSXIV which is made up of 76 tubes (this iteration was finalized in the Fall term 2019).
The challenge is then to design and manufacture jigs for welding the Chassis together. Huge preference is given to designs that saves time and money. Welding is completed by the E3 Machine Shop welders.
The general steps in order to complete the Chassis includes the following considerations:
Design Jig and Tube Clamps
Manufacture Jig and Tube Clamps
Assemble Tubes with Jig and Tube Clamps
Deliver Assembly to Welders for Welding
The Welding Jig Task List used for MSXIV: