CLAMPING Principles

Clamping elements must hold the work piece

firmly engaged with locating elements during
the operation.
The clamping devices is to hold the position of
the part against the locators throughout the
machining cycle.

CLAMPS

CLAMPING PRINCIPLES
The clamp must not damage
or deform the part. The
clamping force must not be
less.
Clamp should be fast acting
and allow rapid loading an
unloading of parts.

CLAMPING PRINCIPLES
The clamp should press against a strong portion of
the work piece without distorting the workpiece.
It should hold the work firmly and transmit the
clamping force throughout the cutting operation,
directly over a fixed support.
It should be capable of overcoming the maximum
possible force exerted on it by the work piece

CLAMPS

CLAMPING PRINCIPLES

Simple clamps are always

preferred than complicated
clamps.
Clamp should be easy to operate,
positioned or loosened.
Do not forget to estimate the
cutting force and applied
clamping force.

CLAMPING PRINCIPLES

When designed, they should be operated

from the front side of the operator
They should be designed such that they
press down and tend to seat the work
When cam or wedges are used, they
should be designed so that loads or
vibrations will tend to seat work.
CLAMPS

CLAMPING PRINCIPLES

The clamp should not

damage the work piece
surface, recommended to use
clamping pad.
It is best to over design the
clamp if there is some doubt.

TYPES
OF
CLAMPS

CLAMPS

TYPES OF MECHANICAL
ACTUATION CLAMPS
Screw clamp
C-clamp
Strap clamp
Swing clamp
Swing strap clamp
Pivoted clamp
Hinged clamp
Wedge clamp
Latch clamp
Toggle clamp

Cam action clamp

Pinch clamp
Equalizer clamp
Plate type clamp
Two way clamp
Edge clamp
Button clamp
Differential clamp
Hook clamp
Two slot clamp
Spider clamp
CLAMPS

 These are simple clamps

which make use of a
threaded rod equipped
with some method of
tightening.
They are used commonly
in jigs and fixtures.
Screw clamp uses the
torque developed by
screw thread to hold
the workpiece.
Table shown indicates
the average holding
force for screws of
different sizes

SCREW CLAMP

SCREW CLAMP

They may consist

of knurled collar,
hand knob, Tommy
bar or spanner flats
for rotating and
tightening the
screw.
Simple screw
clamp is shown in
figure.

SCREW CLAMP

 The clamping force of

the screw clamp may be
increased by provision
of pad.
The clamp pad is free
to rotate on the pivot.
This eliminates the
friction between
workpiece and clamp
(shown in next slide)
The clamping pad
remains stationery on
the workpiece while
the screw rotates and
rubs on the top face of
the pad.
SCREW CLAMP

A swivel-type clamping pad provides a spherical

joint between clamping pad and clamping screw.
This allows the clamping pad to swivel around
the clamping screw.
The pad adjusts itself to suit the inaccuracies
in the clamping face of the work piece
The cross pin pull the pad backwards when
screw is retracted

CLAMPING ACTION OF
SCREW CLAMP

SLIDE CLAMPING BAR TO

CONTACT THE WORKPIECE

AFTER MACHINING TURN TO

UNCLAMP

TURN AND APPLY

CLAMPINGFORCE

SCREW CLAMP

SLIDE CLAMPING BAR BACK TO

UNLOAD

Screw clamp with

pressure pad

Ball and foot are threaded to

allow easy installation and
removal, a left-hand thread to
positively prevent blackout
when turning the screw
SCREW CLAMP

SCREW CLAMP

SCREW CLAMP

C-CLAMP
These are quick
acting clamp.
The locking nut can
release or lock the
clamp in about one
turn only ( shown in
figure)

C-CLAMP

STRAP CLAMP
Simplest of all clamps.
The basic operation is as same as that of a
lever.
They can broadly classified as first class, second
class, third class each representing a form of
lever.
When a strap clamp is used, the force on the
workpiece is always proportional to the position
of the fastener with respect to the workpiece and
heel.
STRAP CLAMP

Manual devices include hex nut,

hand knobs, cams.
The strap clamp is operated by
either manual or power driven
devices.
Power driven include hydraulic or
pneumatic.

The fulcrum is
placed between
the work and the
effort. Note the
spherical washer

The work is placed

between the fulcrum
and the effort. This is
principle of second
class lever

STRAP CLAMP

In this
type, the
effort is
placed
between the
work and the
fulcrum.

STRAP CLAMP

Simple strap clamp arrangement

STRAP CLAMP

TAPPED HEEL STRAP CLAMP

STRAP CLAMP

CAM ACTUATED STRAP CLAMP

RETRACTABLE CLAMP
When clamps fall in the path of loading and
unloading they are made slotted to permit
linear withdrawal.
Clamp strap with
slotted underneath to
allow sliding it straight
back for clear loading.
Two drill slots on
sides are provide a
secure grip while
sliding
RETRACTABLE CLAMP

SWIVEL CLAMP
Another type of strap
clamp
In this design the
clamp is rotated by 90
to clear the passage for
loading and unloading.
The clamp is swung to
the position shown in
chain-dotted line during
loading and unloading
the workpiece.
SWIVEL CLAMP

PIVOTED CLAMP

PIVOTED CLAMP

 In this type of ( PIVOTED ) design, clamps are

pivoted at the center to simplify their operation.
The clamp pivots around the central pin during
operation.
The point of operation should be noted, the
screw has been shifted from centre to the end
opposite the clamping point
It is tightened and loosened by the knurled
head screw.

Pivoted two way clamp

PIVOTED CLAMP

SWING CLAMP
Swing clamp combine the screw clamp
with swinging arm that pivots on its
mounting stud.
The holding power with this clamp is
generated by screw.
Swing clamp must be swung to the
working position.
SWING CLAMP

Other arrangements of swing clamp

SWING CLAMP

STANDARD SWING CLAMP

SWING CLAMP

Long-reach swing clamp

that can be hand
tightened for medium
clamping force. The
post-mounted version is
ideal for tight spaces,
with a long mounting
post for increased
strength. Swing arm can
be turned over for more
clearance underneath

SWING CLAMP

SWING CLAMP

 Hinged clamp provides

rapid clearance of
loading an unloading
passage.
It is generally
clamped with swinging
eye bolt.
The clamp is provided
with open slot through
which the eye bolt can
be swung in position.
The hinged plate is
swung aside during
loading and unloading.

HINGE CLAMP

HINGE CLAMP

 HINGE
CLAMP

HINGE CLAMP

 Hinged clamp can also be used for two way

clamping.
The work is pushed against locating pins by
pivoted edge clamp which also houses a
swinging eye-bolt.
Tightening of knurled nut against hinge clamp
first pushes the work against pins.
This pushes clamping pad towards workpiece
which is clamped simultaneously in two
directions by edge clamp and pad in hinge.
The knurled nut is loosened only by half a turn
before swinging the eye bolt and hinge plate
aside for loading and unloading the workpiece.

 A plain wedge clamp

consists of movable
inclined plane which
forces the workpiece
against a fixed stop.
Plain wedge clamps
tends to loosen under
vibration.
The taper end of the
plain wedge may range
from 6 to 18
depending upon the
coefficient of friction
of the metal.
The wedge can be used
with springs to form a
pinch clamp.
WEDGE CLAMP

WEDGE
CLAMP

WEDGE ANGLE AND FORCES

The diagram shows the forces acting on wedge at
instant removal begins.
It is assumed that the wedge has previously been
inserted to exert a clamping force F2 on the
workpiece with reaction F1 from the wedge block.
F1 & F2 act normal to the bearing surfaces.
The taper angle of the top of the wedge is a.
Two friction forces F3 & F4 resist removal of wedge
by pull P.
For coefficient of friction designated by f.
F3 = f F1
F4 = f F2
WEDGE CLAMP

WEDGE CLAMP

The angle a must have a tangent less

than value of the coefficient of friction
if wedge is to stay tight.
For coefficient of friction 0.15 is
approximately 16. But it almost certain
that a taper angle of over 16 will not
stay in place. But in presence of oil and
other slippery conditions, f may drop
below 0.1 for which an angle less than
10 is required.
The practical working angle for tapered
keys should be less than 7 ( Total
angle)
WEDGE CLAMP

PLAIN WEDGE CLAMP

IMPROVED WEDGE
CLAMP

PINCH CLAMP

WEDGE CLAMP

EDGE CLAMP
An important new clamping
development!
These new mini edge clamps, are
ideal for fixturing small parts.
Clamping force is applied by
positive screw action with the easy
turn of hex wrench.
Edge clamps exert downward
thrust force on workpiece, to prevent
it from lifting.
EDGE CLAMP

THE SERRATED FACE PROVIDES MAXIMUM

GRIPPING WHILE SMOOTH FACE AVOIDS
MARRING FINISHED PARTS
EDGE CLAMP

EDGE CLAMP ARRANGEMENT

EDGE CLAMP

HOOK CLAMP
Hook clamp are
similar to swing
clamps but smaller.
They are useful in
tight places or
where several clamps
rather than one
large clamp must be
used.
HOOK CLAMP

HOOK CLAMP

HOOK CLAMP

UPTHRUST CLAMP

Up-thrust clamp locate off

of parts top surface and
clamp from bottom
UPTHRUST CLAMP

UPTHRUST CLAMP

The lower jaw has two clamping surfaces 180 apart one for thinner parts,
the other for thicker parts. The cam handle rotates to screw the lower jaw
up or down for fine adjustment
UPTHRUST CLAMP

ADJUSTABLE CLAMP

ADJUSTABLE CLAMP

Adjustable clamping
arrangement
ADJUSTABLE CLAMP

DOUBLE END STRAP CLAMP

Clamp strap
with two
clamping ends,
for holding two
work pieces
simultaneously

Double end strap clamp

arrangement

DOUBLE END STRAP CLAMP

U-CLAMPS
Open U end allows totally removing
clamp strap when unclamped. Clamp tips
are beveled for extra clearance

U-CLAMP

TOGGLE CLAMP
A toggle clamp is a quick-acting mechanical
linkage where two of the elements make up a
Toggle action.
Actuating the clamp first moves it into
position, then applies clamping forces by
compressing or stretching the linkage
elements after contacting the work piece,
then positively locks it by moving the toggle
actions center pivot past centerline of other
two pivots, against a stop.
Do not try to design a toggle clamp. It is
advised to use only the standard clamp from
reputed manufacturer.
TOGGLE CLAMP

TOGGLE CLAMP

Latch clamp is
limited to light
work as it is
difficult to
secure rigidly.
The main
advantage of
latch clamp is in
the speed of
manipulation.
Simple latch
clamp is shown
in fig.

LATCH CLAMP

EQUALISER CLAMP
In multiple clamping, a pivoted equalizer is
used for clamping two unequal workpiece
simultaneously.
The equalizer clamp pivots around the pin to
suit the workpiece.
Equalizer principle can be extended to
facilitate clamping of many even number of
work pieces simultaneously by a single clamp.
The main advantage of this type of clamp is
that clamping force is equally distributed to
all work pieces.

EQUALIZER CLAMP
FOR UNEQUAL PIECES

EQUALIZER FOR MANY

NUMBER OF PIECES

PLATE CLAMP
It holds the workpiece with Toe and Heel
arrangements. The heel is held in position
by a pin and spring arrangement.

TWO WAY CLAMP

This clamp has quick releasing action. When
nut is released the clamp becomes loose.
An advantage of this type of clamp is that all
clamping actuation is done from one central
position
If separate clamp are used, the machine
operator may be required to reach across the
workpiece or travel to other side of the
machine to operate the clamp
TWO WAY CLAMP

TWO WAY CLAMP

SOME OF
TWO WAY
CLAMPING
METHODS

TWO WAY CLAMP

Centrally actuated clamp

TWO WAY CLAMP

TWO WAY CLAMP

DIFFERENTIAL CLAMP
Differential clamp adjust themselves to suit
the workpiece
The clamp does not subject the work piece to
bending or distortion.
They clamp the workpiece without shifting its
position
The lower jaws are closed or opened by
turning screw which engages in t-slot in
operating clamp
DIFFERENTIAL CLAMPING

DIFFERENTIAL CLAMP
ARRANGEMENT
DIFFERENTIAL CLAMPING

In spider
clamp circular
and symmetrical
work pieces can
be clamped well
with a spider
clamp having
three clamping
points.
As the clamp
acts as a sort of
rigid washer, no
heel pin is
required

SPIDER CLAMP

SPIDER CLAMP

MAGNETIC CLAMPING
Magnetic clamping force can be
developed by permanent magnets and
electromagnets.
Permanent magnets: are mounted on
sliding member which can be moved
under the non-magnetic material on the
table to block the magnetic flux. This
release the workpiece.

MAGNETIC CLAMPING

 For clamping work piece permanent magnets are

moved under the magnetic part of the table. This
allows magnetic flux to pass through work piece
and hold it magnetically.
The permanent magnets are slid in clamping and
unclamping position.
Electromagnetic tables use solenoid coils as
temporary magnets
When dc current is passed through the solenoid
coil it acts like magnet
Magnetic clamping leaves some residual
magnetism in work pieces which can be removed
by demagnetizing

MAGNETIC CLAMPING

VACUUM CLAMP
This is particularly convenient for securing thin
flat sheets which are vulnerable to distortion
under heavy clamping force. Vacuum clamping
provides light clamping. The holding face is
provided with 0.025mm deep grooves which create
a vacuum all over the face.
The clamping face is circumscribed by rubber
seal groove all round. The seal in the groove
segregates the clamping vacuum area from space
outside the seal. The vacuum pressure is usually
limited to LESS THAN 1 kg/cm2.

VACUUM CLAMP
ARRANGEMENT