VACUUM CLAMPING

Vacuum Clamps offer a great deal of flexibility and holding power for many machining and assembly operations. With the use of a Venturi-type vacuum pump, any shop with an air compressor has an immediate source of vacuum. There are also many types and sizes of electric vacuum pumps that can be adapted to the vacuum clamping process using either manual or foot controlled valves

Vacuum clamping offers fabricators:

• Instantaneous clamping and unclamping.
• Surfaces are not marred or distorted.
• Holds most any size or shape of part.
• Work surface is free of obstruction.
• Parts can be positioned at any angle.
• Parts can be rotated continuously or intermittently while vacuum clamped.
• Vacuum clamp units are light, portable, and easily set up by one operator.
• Hands-free clamping through use of a foot valve.

A broad range of sizes and shapes of vacuum cups can be integrated into various clamping units providing limitless hold down options. Almost any type of manual or electric power tool can effectively be used in conjunction with the various clamps. Applications where vacuum clamping can be used include sanding, routing, drilling, sawing, and assembling.

Virtually any sheet material can readily be clamped without distortion or damage to the work surface. And vacuum clamping is not limited to sheets, through the use of fixtures it can be used for special 3-dimensional clamping. You can even use different vacuum clamp units in series or parallel. Vacuum clamps can also be adapted for vacuum lifting when combined with a power hoist.

Contributed by Sanford S. Zimmerman, The Vacuum Clamp Company. Mr. Zimmerman's new clamping system adds mobility to clamps so they can be readily mounted to shop benches and structural columns such as I-beams.

For more information, the author can be reached at Vacuum Clamp Company, P.O. Box 2732, Westport, CT 06880, 888-235-4419, 203-227-0472, Fax: 203-226-6341, Web: www.vacuumclamp.com. Write no. 615.