Clamps
Clamping bars (also clamping claws ) are flat clamping elements with a bore or an elongated hole for the mechanical fixation of various solid bodies on a work plate or holder .
One end of the iron rests on the body to be tensioned, while the other end is supported on a base. The screw, which is attached as close as possible to the workpiece, is fastened at the lower end in a plate, measuring or machine table equipped with T-slots or holes . In most cases, the clamping force is applied by firmly tightening a nut. Lever-operated eccentrics attached to the screw enable the workpieces to be changed more quickly . Hydraulic systems in connection with separate clamps are rather rare, as automated operation is not possible.
The inclined position of the clamping iron, caused by the usually slightly different height between the workpiece and the base, is compensated for with large clamping forces with a spherical washer and tapered socket . Pendulum supports are available on the workpiece to compensate for inclined surfaces. This is also useful in order to avoid tensioning the workpiece and thus springing back after it has been removed, which would result in a change in shape after a shaping process such as milling .
The shapes of the clamping arms vary and are specified in DIN standards. They are available in different sizes, in straight and cranked designs as well as with differently shaped clamping surfaces.