Manual-Style Fixture Clamps

February 10, 2023
Clamps are Adaptable to Different Industrial Applications and Systems

Fixtureworks® (Fraser, MI), a leading North American manufacturer and supplier of clamps, fixturing accessories, machine tool components and rollers & bumpers, has bolstered its array of manual-style fixture clamps. With over 80 varieties of clamps, including, swing, thrust, side toggle, pneumatic, form holding, pull and strap, these clamps are adaptable to different industrial applications and systems. They provide quick, secure, and precise workpiece workholding and are manufactured to the highest quality specifications. The product mix includes many clamp accessories such as mounting brackets, adaptors, bars and caps. In both mini and heavy-duty styles, the various clamp configurations provide clamping forces from as little as 2 lb. on a toggle switch to as much as 9,000 lb. on a side clamp and come with a variety of handle materials from steel to plastic.

Swing clamps provide an expansive range of arm travel and length of arm options, making these clamps a versatile choice for a variety of clamping, fixturing and workholding application, and especially useful for highly repetitive clamping jobs.

The swing clamps offer ease of operation—the rotation of an ergonomic handle simultaneously swings the clamp arm out and over the workpiece and into the clamping position, then a final pressure on the arm draws the arm down and applies direct downward force on the part.

Precision thrust clamps can clamp at the same position by precise projection of clamping bars. The spring-loaded clamp provides constant clamping force. The handle features a click alert to indicate complete clamping.

Side clamps utilize smaller clamping space which allows for greater machine clearance. Mounting screw can be under the workpiece minimizing clamping space. Tightening the ball screw forces the clamp forward and downward. The hex socket setscrew works to prevent the clamp from sliding back when clamping. Made from alloy steel with a black oxide finish.

Toggle clamps offer a high quality, durable alternative to other clamps. The non-slip ergonomic handle allows for easy and comfortable use with smooth edges to prevent snagging. These clamps feature high quality bushings that won’t score and are designed to withstand over 300,000 cycles. Their attractive appearance provides a high-quality look to finished products.

Pneumatic pull clamps provide very quick and secure fastening for repetitive machining operations. The clamp base receives a customized pin based on the thickness of the part you are clamping. When air pressure is applied, the pin is pulled downward and secured into position by a wedge mechanism, which provides a high clamping force. 

Form-holding clamps are designed to clamp onto the circumference of oddly shaped workpieces. Expanding ID clamps are designed to clamp onto the inside of workpieces, ideal for parts with varying inside diameters. These part holding clamps come in round or square wedge styles and in mini or standard sizes.

The pull clamps are designed to provide high-accuracy workpiece locating, utilizing precision ground clamping pins that are used in conjunction with the fixture-mounted clamp mechanisms.  The clamp devices apply downward pressure on the pins via a quarter turn of the clamp’s handle that actuates a spiral cam (ball and groove) design; this in turn applies downward pressure on the workpiece and secures it in position.

The versatile strap clamp assembly provides high clamping force. Used to hold down dies, fixtures and workpieces on a wide variety of machines. The long mounting slot offers a wide range of clamp movement and positioning. The strap end is tapped for support. 

In addition to fixture clamps, Fixtureworks offers quick release fasteners, quick action sliding locks spring plunger clamps, handle and levers, knobs and grips, equipment handles, hand wheels and cranks, hinges and latches, leveling supports, industrial rubber bumpers, stops and wheels, fixture clamps, clamping locating systems, work positioning elements, vises, grippers and mechanical linear actuators.

Related Glossary Terms

  • black oxide

    black oxide

    Black finish on a metal produced by immersing it in hot oxidizing salts or salt solutions.

  • clearance

    clearance

    Space provided behind a tool’s land or relief to prevent rubbing and subsequent premature deterioration of the tool. See land; relief.

  • computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)

    computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)

    Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.

  • fixture

    fixture

    Device, often made in-house, that holds a specific workpiece. See jig; modular fixturing.

  • inner diameter ( ID)

    inner diameter ( ID)

    Dimension that defines the inside diameter of a cavity or hole. See OD, outer diameter.