Abstract: Disclosed are methods of manufacturing a workpiece fixture (10) and also a target material fixture (10), for use in precision manufacturing processes. A sheet material is supported on a generic material fixture (10) and the sheet material precision processed to form support blades (16, 18) for a target workpiece fixture (10). Each support blade (16, 18) has a support locus and interstices are positioned in the support loci where a target pattern and the support loci coincide. Thus, there are no unnecessary clearances between the workpiece support (10) and the workpiece. The interstices that are present are located only where necessary to reduce or eliminate any interference between the precision manufacturing process and the fixture (10), when it is used in a precision process involving the target pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing screen assembly, a frame for a printing screen and method for their construction. The printing screen assembly has a frame (310) with an elongate first frame member (320, 320a) and an elongate second frame member (320, 320b) parallel to the first frame member (320, 320a) and in fixed relation thereto; and a corresponding cantilevered first and second tensioning arrangement (326) extending from each frame member (320) along a length thereof. A predictable pre-tensioning force may be applied by resiliently deflecting the tensioning arrangements (326) into contact with an abutment arrangement (328) and securing a printing screen to an attachment portion (326b) of the first tensioning arrangement (326a), while the first tensioning arrangement (326) is in contact with the first abutment arrangement (326a). The frame may be formed by preselecting the resilience of the tensioning arrangement (326) so as to preselect the tension applied when tensioning a printing screen in use.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of manufacturing a workpiece fixture (10) and also a target material fixture (10), for use in precision manufacturing processes. A sheet material is supported on a generic material fixture (10) and the sheet material precision processed to form support blades (16, 18) for a target workpiece fixture (10). Each support blade (16, 18) has a support locus and interstices are positioned in the support loci where a target pattern and the support loci coincide. Thus, there are no unnecessary clearances between the workpiece support (10) and the workpiece. The interstices that are present are located only where necessary to reduce or eliminate any interference between the precision manufacturing process and the fixture (10), when it is used in a precision process involving the target pattern.