INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: ADHESIVE WORKHOLDING® FOR AEROSPACE, MEDICAL AND OPTICS

In today's manufacturing world, parts are becoming more and more complex and precision requirements are increasingly strenuous.

Traditional workholding methods such as clamps and vises often don’t meet the needs of manufacturers producing these highly technical parts and regularly introduce problems such as distortion, vibration and surface damage. 

Enter UV Adhesive Workholding®!

UV Adhesive Workholding® technology is the future of workholding! It is a powerful alternative  to traditional workholding methods and the next generation of Adhesive Workholding® solutions.  Unlike other adhesive options, it is engineered specifically for machining, making it the superior option for manufacturers who need to hold tight tolerances, open up machine access and shorten processes.

The Blue Photon Adhesive Workholding® solution is engineered specifically to meet the demanding requirement of industries where precision is non-negotiable; industries like aerospace, medical and optics.  

Adhesive curing process. Custom fixture placing grippers at correct locations and angles for optimal holding during machining.

Rethinking Workholding: Why Adhesives?

The Blue Photon UV Adhesive Workholding® solution uses specially engineered adhesive to secure parts during a wide range of machining processes: milling, turning, grinding, additive manufacturing, EDM, etc.

Unlike mechanical clamping, Adhesive Workholding® distributes force evenly across part surfaces, reducing stress concentrations and deformation.

The Blue Photon system is designed to:

• Secure thin, fragile, or irregularly shaped components

• Minimize vibration and chatter during machining

• Preserve surface finishes and tight tolerances

• Enable clean, residue-free part release

Making it an ideal solution for manufacturers that push the limits of part design and precision.

Aerospace: Precision Without Compromise

Aerospace components often feature thin walls, complex geometries, and exotic materials such as titanium, Inconel, and advanced composites. Even minor distortion during machining can lead to costly scrap or rework.

Blue Photon allows aerospace manufacturers to:

• Secure thin or lightweight components without inducing stress

• Maintain tight dimensional tolerances across large or complex parts

• Improve stability during high-speed machining operations

• Reduce setup time compared to complex mechanical fixturing

By enabling uniform support and vibration damping, UV Adhesive Workholding® helps aerospace manufacturers achieve higher part quality while improving throughput and process consistency.

Aerospace part on additive fixture using Blue Photon.

Medical: Protecting Precision and Cleanliness

Medical device manufacturing demands extreme accuracy, pristine surface finishes, and strict cleanliness standards. Components such as implants and surgical tools are often too delicate for conventional clamping methods.

Blue Photon’s adhesive workholding solutions support medical manufacturers by:

• Preventing surface marring on polished or coated components

• Holding thin parts securely during machining

• Enabling repeatable processes critical for regulatory compliance

• Supporting clean release without residue or contamination

With biocompatibility considerations and high-value materials at stake, UV Adhesive Workholding® provides a reliable path to improved yields and reduced scrap in medical manufacturing environments.

Knee on custom fixture using Blue Photon.

Optics: Preserving Surface Integrity

Optical components—such as lenses, prisms, mirrors, and wafers—require flawless surface finishes and sub-micron precision. Even slight mechanical stresses can distort optical surfaces, impacting performance.

The Blue Photon system is especially well-suited for optics manufacturing, offering:

• Uniform support across delicate optical surfaces

• Reduced risk of micro-cracks, chipping, or distortion

• Enhanced stability during grinding, polishing, and finishing

• Clean, controlled debonding to protect sensitive coatings

By eliminating localized clamping forces, Blue Photon helps optics manufacturers achieve superior surface quality and tighter tolerances.

Blue Photon holding glass sphere.

A Smarter Approach to Advanced Manufacturing

Across aerospace, medical, optics and other industries, manufacturers face the same core challenge: how to securely hold increasingly complex and delicate parts without compromising quality. Blue Photon’s UV Adhesive Workholding® solution addresses this challenge by offering a flexible, high-precision alternative to traditional workholding methods.

By improving part stability, protecting surface integrity, and enabling cleaner, more repeatable processes, Blue Photon helps manufacturers:

• Reduce scrap and rework

• Increase machining accuracy

• Shorten setup times

• Improve overall manufacturing efficiency

Blue Photon has evolved Adhesive Workholding® technology making it a more mainstream solution and a strategic advantage for you!