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The levers in question are generally driven by pneumatic power cylinders, which
are widely used in clamping technology, due to the numerous mounting options
which they offer. Examples of these are shown in Fig. 3-1. The cylinders shown
here have integrated clevis foot mountings on their bearing caps. This allows
easy connection and any desired mounting position. The cylinders can also be
equipped with an integrated flow control system, which saves space and money.
Fig. 3-1:
Use of clamping cylinders
in lever clamps of the type
frequently installed on
vehicle bodywork welding
production lines
2
c d
Fig. 3-2:
Toggle-lever clamps
with concealed pneumatic
cylinders
a) Horizontal clamping,
pulling clamping action
b) Vertical clamping,
pushing clamping action
a b
These are “half ” toggle-lever clamps, so called because their lever arms have
one fixed pivot point. Fig. 3-3, on the other hand, shows a “full” toggle-lever
system. The theoretically usable clamping force Fclamp of the device can be
calculated as follows:
Fig. 3-3:
Forces operative within a
“full” toggle-lever system,
shown by the example
of an internal clamp
A
A Piston cross section
F Piston force p
FS Clamping force
L Arm length
R Pivot pin radius R
p Operating pressure
Ë Efficiency
Ì Coefficient of friction
L
FS FS
α
F
Fig. 3-4:
Push-rod clamp with toggle-
lever mechanism
Fig. 3-5:
Vertical clamping with a
toggle-lever system.
The piston rod is supported
by the base plate via a roller
a) Use of a connection
surface to attach
a workpiece support
b) Use of a guide linkage
to swivel away the
complete clamp
c) Connection
to a clamping station
a b c
These clamps can centre workpieces to a constant clamp jaw mid-point. In order
3.1.3 to achieve this, the clamp arms are linked together via toothed segments.
Toothed-segment An example is shown in Fig. 3-7. Clamps of this kind can be used to good effect
clamps in a multiple parallel configuration to clamp long semi-finished products such
as rails, bars, system profiles and piping. The material to be clamped can be
inserted axially or horizontally. It is also possible to make the clamp jaws inter-
changeable. The motion sequence can be monitored via electrical inductive
sensors on the power cylinder or on the clamp arms.
Fig. 3-7:
Toothed-segment clamps
1 Clamp jaw 1
2 Rod clevis
3 Piston rod 2
4 Mounting bracket
5 Pneumatic cylinder
3
6 Stop to limit opening angle
7 Basic plate
8 Clamping jaw
4 5 6 7 8
3
4
Fig. 3-9:
Design of a pneumatic
swivel clamp
1
1 Clamp claw
2
2 Workpiece
3 Spiral slot
4 Piston
Fig. 3-10:
Common types of com-
mercially-available swivel
clamps
a) Table-mounting type
b) Screw-in swivel clamp
c) Double-arm swivel clamp
a b c
Fig. 3-11:
Wide-opening lever clamp
for workpieces to be welded
1 Workpiece to be welded
2 Clamp arm
3 Frame
Fig. 3-12:
Welding workstation with
pipe clamping device 1
1 Workpiece 2
2 Pull-down stop 3
3 Clamp lever
4 Pneumatic cylinder
with rod eye
1 Pressure plate
2 Workpiece support
1
3 Stop bolt
4 Fishplate
5 Bracket 2
6 Device body 6 7
7 Power cylinder