Sine Vice

Finely adjustable from zero to forty-six degrees, Eley’s sine vices offer striking precision for setting and measuring angles accurately. The parallelism and squareness of the vice are 0.005mm/100mm.

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  • Precision engineering tasks where components need to be held securely at a known angle for accurate setup, inspection or finishing operations.

  • Grinding and light machining applications where the ability to clip workpieces at precise angles using gauge blocks helps achieve consistent, repeatable results.

  • Inspection and metrology work where accurate angular positioning is essential for checking geometry, alignment and part accuracy.

  • Toolroom use for holding small or awkward components rigidly during adjustment, measuring and precision setup tasks.

  • Prototype and small-batch production where flexible angular setting is useful for one-off parts, short runs and applications that require frequent changes in setup.

Cost-effective upgrades transform quality used CMMs with:

  • Latest Renishaw controllers
  • True Measure 5™ software
  • Modern scales and electronics
  • Full ISO 10360 recertification

Technical Specifications Sine Vice

Advantage
Application
Non-contact
Delicate plastics, electronics, medical parts
High speed
High-volume production inspection
Edge definition
Complex geometries, deep structures
No deformation
Soft/thin materials safe from probe damage

Related Measurement Solutions

Granite Surface plate

Use sine vices on granite plates to set workpieces at accurate angles for inspection.

Height Gauges

Pair sine vices with height gauges to confirm dimensions and angles in a single setup.

Industries Used In - Sine Vice -

Precision Engineering

Holding components at accurate angles for grinding, milling and EDM operations using gauge blocks or digital setting for precise angular positioning.
Precision engineering companies use sine vices when producing and inspecting angular features, ensuring repeatable, high‑accuracy setups on surface grinders and machining centres.

Metrology & Quality Inspection Labs

Positioning parts at calibrated angles on surface plates or CMMs for angular measurement, form checks and inspection of taper and chamfer geometry.
Metrology and inspection labs use sine vices as reference fixtures for verifying angular dimensions against drawings, often in combination with angle gauges and dial indicators.

Tool & Cutter Manufacturing

Fixturing cutting tools, punches, dies and form tools at defined angles for grinding reliefs, clearance angles and complex cutting profiles.
Tool and cutter grinding departments rely on sine vices to set precise angles on tools so that cutting performance, tool life and repeatability meet demanding specifications.

Automotive Component Manufacturing

Holding engine, transmission and driveline components at specific angles for machining keyways, slots, ramps and seating faces.
Automotive manufacturers use sine vices for accurate angular machining and inspection on parts where timing, sealing or load‑bearing surfaces depend on tightly controlled angles.

Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Clamping precision aerospace parts at controlled angles for machining and checking complex chamfers, ramps, aerofoils and mating features.
Aerospace manufacturers employ sine vices when tight angular tolerances and traceable setups are required on critical components such as brackets, actuators and structural fittings.

FAQs

How does a sine vice work?

The body of the sine vice pivots about a pair of precision ground rollers. By placing a calculated stack of slip gauges under the roller at the front of the vice, the clamping jaw tilts to present the workpiece at the required angle. The angle is calculated using the same formula as a sine bar: 

h=L×sin⁡(θ)

h=L×sin(θ), where 

h

h is the slip gauge stack height and 

L

L is the roller centre distance. Once the correct height is set, locking screws secure the vice at that angle. The movable jaw then clamps the workpiece firmly, and the whole assembly is mounted on the machine table, ready for grinding or inspection.

A sine table (or sine plate) is a large, flat platform used to hold or reference bulky or complex workpieces at an angle — the workpiece sits on the face of the table and is clamped separately. A sine vice is a self-contained clamping tool specifically designed for small components: the workpiece is gripped between the vice jaws, and the whole assembly tilts to the required angle on its roller centres. The sine vice is the preferred choice for surface grinding small, prismatic parts to precise angular tolerances, where the vice itself doubles as the angular reference and the work-holder. Sine tables are used where a larger footprint reference platform is required, or where the component is too large or irregularly shaped to be clamped directly in jaws.

Most precision sine vices are designed for angular ranges of 0–45° or 0–55°, which covers the vast majority of angular grinding and inspection applications encountered in toolroom and production environments. Some models extend to 60° or beyond. Angular accuracy is typically ±10–20 arc‑seconds, depending on the grade and quality of the vice — provided the slip gauge stack and roller centres are free of contamination and correctly assembled. For angles above the rated range, a compound setup (angling the machine table as well) is generally required.

Size selection is primarily driven by the jaw width required to accommodate the workpiece. Typical sine vice jaw widths range from 50 mm for small toolroom and inspection work up to 150 mm for larger components on surface grinders. The jaw height should provide sufficient clamping depth to secure the workpiece without obstruction from the machine table or grinding wheel. Where the workpiece dimensions are close to the vice capacity, the next size up is preferable to ensure the jaw engages the component securely and the clamping load is distributed evenly.

How do I use a sine vice with slip gauges?

A: Calculate the required slip gauge stack height using 

h=L×sin⁡(θ)

h=L×sin(θ), where 

L

L is the roller centre distance of the vice (typically 100 mm or 150 mm) and 

θ

θ is the target angle. Wring the appropriate gauge blocks together, place the stack cleanly under the front roller, then lock the vice body at that position. Load the workpiece between the jaws, clamp securely, and verify the setup with a dial indicator before commencing grinding or inspection. Keeping the slip gauge seating faces and roller contact surfaces clean and free from burrs is essential — any contamination between the gauge stack and the roller seat introduces angular error directly into the result.

Calibration frequency depends on usage intensity and your QMS requirements. For sine vices used regularly in production grinding environments, an annual calibration is typically a practical minimum, with 6-monthly checks recommended in high-volume or regulated sectors. Calibration verifies roller parallelism, squareness and parallelism of the clamping faces, and the geometric relationship between the roller centres and the working surface — all of which directly affect angular accuracy. Any vice that has been dropped, subjected to unexpected impact, or produces inconsistent angular results should be removed from service and recalibrated before further use.

Consistent care is essential to preserve angular accuracy:

  • Cleaning: After every use, clean all ground surfaces, the slip gauge seating face and the roller contact areas thoroughly with a lint-free cloth. Remove all swarf, grinding dust and coolant immediately — contamination under the slip gauge stack or on the rollers directly corrupts the angular setting.
  • Corrosion prevention: Lightly oil all exposed steel surfaces and rollers when not in use. In coolant-rich environments, inspect regularly for early-stage rust on rollers and ground faces.
  • Mechanism check: Periodically exercise the locking screws and jaw mechanism through their full range. Apply a small amount of suitable oil to screw threads and jaw slides to prevent seizure or stiffness.
  • Storage: Store in a clean, dry cabinet or case. Protect slip gauge seating faces and roller surfaces from contact with other tools in storage.

Many commercial sine vices are supplied with a manufacturer’s accuracy statement confirming angular accuracy (e.g., ±15 arc-seconds) and key geometric tolerances. For metrology and formal QMS compliance, a UKAS or ISO 17025 traceable calibration is typically specified, providing documented verification of roller geometry, face squareness and parallelism to national measurement standards. Eley can supply sine vices with Eley Metrology certification or UKAS-traceable calibration to support regulated industry audit requirements.

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