Link Clamps
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When using a high flow pump, which is better, a swing clamp or a link clamp? Avoid the high flow pump. The link clamp positions with less mechanical resistance, but mass, acceleration, and sudden stops affect all clamps adversely. Make your decision based on your acceptance of
The link clamp lever arcs up and out of the way to accommodate hard-to-reach or hard-to-hit clamping points. Link clamps contain the beam mechanism often preferred by fixture builders. This self-contained beam eliminates the need to build or design a clamp mechanism as part of the fixture. Vektek‘s unique body and pivot design provides the least side-to-side axial deflection and the most rigid product on the market today. The new TuffLink™ 360° is outfitted with a rotary lug to provide full rotational positioning of the lever. Compare the flexibility of TuffLink™360° to others on the market that provide limited positioning. What benefit does the rotary lug offer? The rotary lug on TuffLink 360° simplifies manifold mount drill passage planning and design. The body can be rotated independent of clamping lever for optimal manifold mount port location. Giving the designer greater flexibility and cutting costs in complex fixture designs. The rotary lug also simplifies plumbing location and pipe routing because the body can be rotated independent of clamping lever for optimal positioning. The rotary lug allows the clamping lever to be positioned anywhere, 360° around the mounting flange. If clamping is needed offset from clamp centerline, simply rotate the rotary lug and lever; don’t use an offset lever requiring pressure reduction. The rotary lug feature saves time and money after the fixture is built by allowing greater flexibility for last minute adjustments in work piece design or casting variations. How is the rotary lug better than the eccentric levers offered by the competition? Never derate a Link Clamp again due to an offset lever design. The clamp lever can now be rotated to adjust for part changes or last minute variations. Because it maintains symmetric loading on levers, pivots and pins, clamp life is vastly improved and failures eliminated.
D-1
the shortened life cycle. What is the vertical stroke of a TuffLink™ 360° clamp? The maximum part variation is included in the vertical stroke. When outside the vertical stroke specification, the force generated by the clamp will be reduced and may result in reduced clamp life. When should I avoid using a link clamp? If you are clamping on a draft angle, the angle will exert undue stresses on the linkage mechanism. Make sure the clamp mounting flange and lever are parallel to the clamping surface. This will ensure linkages are not over stressed. Avoid stressing guidance mechanisms of either swing clamps or link clamps as these stresses will cause premature failure not covered by warranty due to misapplication. The drawing below will help you handle clamping on a draft angle.
TuffLink™ 360° Clamping On A Draft
LEFT
FORWARD RIGHT
VEKTEK SOLUTION WITH ROTARY LUG
COMPETITIVE ECCENTRIC LEVER
COMPETITIVE SOLUTIONS
ILMV16009 REV B
How do I adjust the position of the rotary lug?
CORRECT
INCORRECT
Rotary adjustment is easy, just loosen the two set screws near the pivot on the rotary lug. Use a wrench on the end of the lever to rotate lever to desired orientation and torque set screws. We recommend torquing the set screws while clamping over a work piece at operating pressure.
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