Types of clamping devices
Power Clamping
In mass production frequent clamping and unclamping
needs to be done. If it is carried out manually it
causes considerable fatigue on the operator thereby
reducing his efficiency. Also the time spent will
considerably affect the production. Due to these
reasons it is preferable to use power for clamping the
work when large production qualities justify them.
Following are commonly used power clamping.
Pneumatic
Hydraulic
Hydro-pneumatic
Vacuum
Magnetic
Electro static
Pneumatic Clamping
The pneumatic clamping compressed air is used as
the fluid for power transmission and application. The
compressed air at pressures of 5 to 6 bars is
generally used for clamping. Although pneumatic
clamping methods are very rapid in operation.
Consequently pneumatic clamping are not suitable
for applications, in which speed variations are
unacceptable.
Pneumatic clamping will have the following
advantages :
Better control of clamping force
Less wear on moving parts of the clamp
Offer faster operating cycles.
The disadvantages being
Due to aging, joints of pipes start
leaking resulting in drop in pressure and
waste of energy.
In humid climates moisture in the aid
causes rusting of pneumatic cylinders
and valves.
Hydraulic clamping
Hydraulic clamping devices are similar to air operates (pneumatic) and
have the following features
The hydraulic clamps are relatively small and compact due to high
working pressures involved.
As the working fluid is oil no external lubrication is required.
There is no trouble of water condensation as in the pneumatic
system.
Positive clamping is assured, owing on the reason that the working
fluid is incompressible.
Hydraulic clamping systems are limited to use on hydraulic machine
tools. However with the development of self contained hydraulic
systems their usage is widely increasing.
Almost any pressure from 7 to 250 bars can be available for
clamping.
Hydraulic clamping devices are costly and require substantial
investment.
Hydro pneumatic clamping
Hydro-pneumatic clamping utilises the power of
pressurised oil and compressed air. In this system by
combining the pneumo hydraulic principles, the leakage
of high pressure oil through the joints is eliminated.
The hydro pneumatic clamping consists of an air to oil
pressure booster, control devices and actuating cylinders
which clamp the work piece. The principle of air to
hydraulic booster is to utilise the low pressure air to
develop high pressure hydraulic fluid to operate the
clamping. . shows a typical hydro pneumatic clamping
systems.
Vacuum Clamping
This clamping method is more suitable for thin
flat sheets, which are likely to be distorted under
heavy clamping force. figure shows a typical
clamping method.
The holding face is provided with 0.025 mm
deep grooves which create a vacuum all over
the face. The clamping face is circumscribed by
a rubber seal groove all around. The seal in the
groove separates the clamping vacuum area
from the space outside the seal. The vacuum
pressure is usually limited to 730 to 740 mm of
mercury (-1kg / cm2
Magnetic Clamping
This method is adopted only for holding
magnetic materials, in which the clamping
force is developed either by
Permanent magnets
Electromagnets
The clamping force obtainable depends on the
strength of magnets and the magnetic flux that
can be directed through the work piece.
In permanent magnetic clamping, permanent
magnets are mounted on a sliding member,
which can be moved under the non magnetic
material on the table. For clamping the work
piece, magnets are moved under the magnetic
part of the table. This allows the magnetic flux
to pas through the work pieces to hold it
magnetically. On sliding it away the unclamping
is done.
Generally the magnetic table is divided in
alternate strips of magnetic and non
magnetic materials. The non magnetic
strips act as flux dams or barriers. If
magnets are slid below non magnetic
strips blocking completely the magnetic
flux the unclamping is done.
In electromagnetic clamping
electromagnetic tables use solenoid coils
as temporary magnets. When direct
current is passed through the solenoid coil
it acts like a magnet, and on switching off
the current the coil gets demagnetised and
helps in releasing the work piece mounted
on the table. The magnetic clamping force
can be varied by varying the current
passing through the solenoid coil.
Magnetic clamping leaves same residual
magnetism in work pieces. This can be
removed by demagnetising the work piece, if it is
interfering with proper functioning of the work
piece. Magnetic clamps, popularly known as
magnetic chucks are available in variety of
shapes and are suitable for light machining
operations such as grinding, light milling and
turning. These magnetic chucks are fast acting
and by holding a large surface of the work piece,
cause minimum of distortion
