NEXTAS TECH square CNC tooling column tombstone fixture

CNC Workholding Tombstones

CNC Tooling Columns for Horizontal & Vertical Machining Centers

High-rigidity cast workholding platforms for 4-axis and 5-axis multi-face machining

NEXTAS TECH Tooling Columns are stress-relieved cast iron workholding platforms for horizontal and vertical machining centers, NC rotary tables, pallet systems and zero-point quick-change fixtures.

0.02 mm/300 mm accuracyFlatness and perpendicularity are controlled for stable positioning and repeatable machining quality.

HT250 / QT500 cast ironHigh-strength cast iron supports rigidity, vibration damping and long-term dimensional stability.

Fixture-ready layoutsPlain drilling, precision hole locating and T-slot locating help speed dedicated jig assembly.

Standard models in stock Custom hole patterns HMC / VMC / 4th / 5th axis ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001

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Overview Video & Photos Product Series Specifications Applications FAQ

Product overview

Rigid datum foundations for dense multi-face fixture setups

These tooling columns are designed to build dedicated jigs quickly with standard fixture components. Full stress-relief annealing helps eliminate internal stress so the column stays dimensionally stable under heavy cutting loads. Standardized locating designs support repeat setup, while custom drilling, sizing and threaded patterns let the same family match specialized manufacturing requirements.

Rigid casting

HT250/QT500 cast iron provides stiffness and vibration damping for roughing and finishing.

Stable geometry

Annealing reduces residual stress and helps prevent long-term deformation.

Modular locating

Plain holes, precision hole locating and T-slot options support flexible fixture setup.

Custom support

Non-standard size, thread and locating patterns can be engineered around your machine.

Shopfloor video & photos

Real tooling columns from machining and fixture preparation areas

Use these production photos and the short demo video to review surface layout, dense hole patterns, T-slot options, reinforced cast structures and pallet-ready installation before discussing a custom fixture plan.

Short shopfloor video showing the tooling column form and fixture faces.

Square tooling column with dense precision hole pattern in the workshop — Dense precision hole pattern

Tooling column mounted on a machine table for fixture installation — Machine-side installation

Ribbed cast tooling tombstone body with multiple fixture holes — Reinforced cast structure

Palletized tooling column prepared for shopfloor transfer — Pallet-ready column body

T-slot base plate for modular tooling column fixtures — T-slot locating and base preparation

Close view of tooling column precision hole pattern — Threaded and precision locating holes

Finished T-slot base plate on a workshop pallet — Flat base plate for fixture decks

Tooling column standing on its base with machined mounting holes — Column base and mounting interface

Product series

Choose the column structure by fixture density and access

Square Tooling Columns

Four-sided rigid fixturing for high-density workpiece setup and mass production.

Double-Sided Tooling Columns

Dual working faces for balanced loading and improved machining efficiency.

Cross Tooling Columns

Cross structure for multi-station fixturing and complex component machining.

Hexagonal Tooling Columns

Six-sided tombstone design to increase machining surfaces and workpiece capacity.

Octagonal Tooling Columns

Eight-sided high-efficiency fixturing for multi-face machining and automation.

Modular Replaceable Columns

Used with sub-plates for quick die change in flexible automated manufacturing cells.

Specification table

Standard model range

Tooling column model specifications
Product code	Width across flats	Base size	Height	Max workpiece height	Weight
NT-TCS250P400V2	250 mm	250 mm	400 mm	320 mm	100 kg
NT-TCS300P400V2	300 mm	300 mm	400 mm	300 mm	130 kg
NT-TCS350P400V2	350 mm	350 mm	400 mm	280 mm	170 kg
NT-TCH320P600V2	320 mm	300 mm	600 mm	480 mm	220 kg
NT-TCH400P600V2	400 mm	350 mm	600 mm	450 mm	290 kg
NT-TCO360P600V2	360 mm	350 mm	600 mm	450 mm	285 kg
NT-TCO450P600V2	450 mm	400 mm	600 mm	420 mm	360 kg

Core technical data

Material: HT250 / QT500 high-strength cast iron
Heat treatment: stress relief annealing
Positioning accuracy: 0.02 mm/300 mm
Locating type: plain drilling / precision hole locating / T-slot locating

Integration scope

Horizontal MC and vertical MC
4-axis and 5-axis machining centers
Pallet systems and zero-point quick-change fixtures
Non-standard sizes, threaded holes and locating patterns

Typical applications

Built for high-mix workholding and automated production lines

Aerospace structural parts

Rigid datum stacks for thin-walled brackets, fittings and complex surface components on 5-axis cells.

Automotive powertrain & chassis

High-density column setups for engine blocks, transmission housings, suspension arms and structural brackets.

Mold base machining

Multi-face fixture layouts for mold bases, cores, cavities and slide carriers without rebuilding setups.

Hydraulic & pneumatic housings

Repeatable workholding for valve bodies, manifolds and machined housings with tight datum control.

High-mix low-volume production

Modular columns let you swap fixture decks between jobs instead of rebuilding the entire cell.

Lights-out automation

Multi-face tombstones extend cycle length on 4/5-axis pallet, zero-point and FMS lines for unmanned shifts.

Engineering support

Upgrade your CNC workholding with NEXTAS TECH Tooling Columns

Share your machine model, pallet interface, expected fixture density and workpiece envelope. Our team can help select a standard model or quote a custom drilling and locating pattern.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What information should I provide for a tooling column quote?

Send the machine model, pallet or table interface, required column height, workpiece envelope, fixture density and preferred locating pattern. Drawings or CAD files help confirm the fastest standard or custom route.

Can these columns work with zero-point systems?

Yes. The columns can be matched to pallet systems and zero-point quick-change fixtures. The base and locating pattern should be confirmed against your receiver layout before ordering.

Are custom hole patterns available?

Yes. Custom drilling, threaded holes, precision locating patterns and non-standard sizes can be quoted according to your fixture concept and machine interface.

Which column type should I choose?

Use square or double-sided columns for straightforward dense loading, cross columns for multi-station fixture layouts, and hexagonal or octagonal columns when more fixture faces and workpiece capacity are required.

What is the difference between plain drilling, precision hole locating and T-slot locating?

Plain drilling gives the cheapest mounting holes for general fixturing. Precision hole locating uses tighter-toleranced reference bores for repeatable fixture indexing. T-slot locating supports quick clamp repositioning when the same column has to serve several different job setups.

What is the typical lead time for tooling columns?

Standard models in stock generally ship within 1–2 weeks of PO confirmation. Custom drilling, sizes or locating patterns add 3–5 weeks for engineering, casting allocation and inspection. Committed lead time is confirmed in writing once the drilling drawing is locked.

Do you supply matched fixture components for the column?

The columns are designed to assemble with standard fixture components — clamps, locating pins, support blocks and zero-point receivers. We can quote the full dedicated jig kit or just the cast column body, depending on whether you want a turnkey solution or in-house assembly.