double acting
single acting with spring return
Position flexible clamping elements can be used for supporting and clamping of unstable workpiece sections. They adapt themselves to the position of the clamping point without deforming them. They cushion vibrations and compensate machining forces from all directions.
The position flexible clamp is a small vice with two movable jaws, which are operated by a common hydraulic port. Independently of its position within the clamping area, the workpiece will be clamped nipper-like (floating).
By means of a separate locking port, both jaws are hydraulically locked.
The position flexible clamping claw consists of an U-shaped mounting body and the displacably embedded clamping unit with oil supply by two short high-pressure hoses with swarf protection.
In the movable clamping unit a double-acting hydraulic cylinder is integrated, whose clamping force is introduced through the clamping lever by 180° into the workpiece support.
This support is height-adjustable to clamp workpieces of different thickness. After the clamping process the still displaceable clamping unit will be locked by a single-acting cylinder in the mounting body.
To control the clamping lever an inductive or pneumatic position monitoring can be delivered.
in a double clamping fixture four oil sumps for cars.
Each oil sump is additionally clamped and supported at a forth clamping point.
Hydro-cylinders with locking piston are single acting plunger cylinders. When pressurising the element, the piston will be expanded
and locked in the cylinder body.
The hydro-cylinder with locking piston does not only clamp the workpiece, but compensates also the machining forces which are up to five times higher and are directed against the clamping force.
In a double clamping fixture four oil sumps for cars.
Each oil sump is additionally clamped and supported at a forth clamping point.
The figure shows a position flexible clamp for ”floating clamping” of a self-supporting arm of a power unit support of the automotive industry, which has been fixed in its position by means of swing clamps as per data sheet B 1.880 and B 1.891.
Simple collet for ”floating clamping”
Two clamping bars with threaded-body cylinders with locking piston are fixed on a base plate and hydraulically connected by drilled channels. The axial block fixed in the centre is used as guide for both clamping jaws. An installed return spring moves the clamping jaws to its off-position.
"Floating" clamping, i.e. the uniform and tongs-type contact at the workpiece independent of its position is possible due to the hydraulic pressure compensation between the cylinders. Only different spring forces can influence the uniformity. After the pressure increase, the two locking pistons avoid a ”further floating” of the clamping point.