VersaCam™ Swing Clamps
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when should I use Swing Clamps? Swing Clamps are a logical choice where loading of the part is hampered by other styles of clamps. Swing Clamps (as their names indicate) move out of the way for easy access to the load/unload area. They may be easily visualized by tool designers and the action emulates that of manual strap clamps. Are there some applications where I need to avoid using Swing Clamps? Yes, Swing Clamps should not be used when there are no fixed stops or hard locators into which the cutter force is transmitted. If Swing Clamps are oriented to hold vertically, horizontal cutter forces should be transmitted into solid stops that can easily absorb their energy. If forces are transmitted to Swing Clamps at 90° to the clamp action, all the force is transmitted into the rotating mechanism. This may result in premature wear and early failure. How do I size Swing Clamps? First, calculate the cutter or climbing forces to be resisted. Then examine the direction of these forces. Determine how much of these forces will have to be held by the clamp. Size your clamp based on the estimated working pressure of your fixture. (We recommend using 3,000-4,000 psi at this point to give you some additional capacity if required when your fixture is complete or processes change.) I want the fastest possible action from my Swing Clamps. How do I do that and how fast can I get? Look at the appropriate catalog page to determine flow rates. If you are unable to determine flow rates, use the time limitations indicated under the same footnote. A good rule of thumb, “If you see the clamp open, then see it closed, but don’t see it move between, it moved in less than 1/16th second. That is always too fast.” Finally, ask yourself: “Can the operator put that fraction of a second to good use?” If the answer is no, slow the clamp down. You may want to consider TuffCam™ Swing Clamps when speed is critical to your process.
I am planning to exceed the flow rating of your clamps, but I will be using low pressure (750 psi). That’s OK isn’t it? No. Excessive speed is excessive speed, regardless of pressure. Swinging an arm against a cam faster than intended is not recommended. It will shorten clamp life even at low pressures. We recommend not exceeding maximum flow rates. Some alternate components to consider are the In-port Flow Controls (if available for your clamp type), or you may want to consider TuffCam™ Swing Clamps. My Swing Clamps don’t all contact the part at the same time. Why? Flow restrictions, excess fittings, long tubing and different springs can all cause Swing Clamps to swing at different times. Despite the appearance, they actually build to pressure at approximately the same time. Because some customers (often the machine operators) are sensitive to the timing of their Swing Clamps we created the Flow Control Swing Clamp. Look to this clamp as a solution to the time sensitivity or add an in-port flow control valve at each Swing Clamp. See Section M. NOTE: Do not use this as a sequence valve. I want to run my Swing Clamp on air; is this easily done? It can be done for the three larger sizes of double acting hydraulic Swing Clamps (excludes Low Profile models). The smallest Swing Clamp may not be changed to air. It is extremely difficult to control air flow into or out of a pressure vessel this small. We do not recommend that the smallest clamp be converted to air, nor will we warrant its use in this application. Please call us for specific ordering details. We have designed a pneumatic Swing Clamp line; please see our pneumatic catalog. My application calls for an arm about the size of a baseball bat; it weighs 14 pounds. How fast can I swing it? VERY SLOWLY! Weight, like flow, can damage a Swing Clamp. If you must use an arm exceeding the weight of our standard or extended arm, slow it down. Heavy arms should be used on double acting clamps only and swing speed must be restricted in both directions. Remember the length and pressure limitations from the charts provided.
I want to use a 450 lbs Swing Clamp but need a 5,000 lbs Swing Clamp arm for length. How do I fit this arm onto the clamp? What are my flow and pressure restrictions? You will have to add to an extended arm or make a custom. We cannot supply an arm modified to these specifications. A reach of this distance is not recommended. If you must reach beyond the limits charted (Section O), please consult Vektek’s engineers. I need to clamp over a work support. Are there any special precautions that I should take? Yes, you will want to be sure that the clamp is sequenced to swing only after the support has built sufficient pressure to hold the clamp’s force. Confirm that your Swing Clamp and work support are sized properly. Sequencing is recommended above 2,000 psi only. Use a Vektek Sequence Valve or In The Port Sequence Valve (other brands will not work). My part won’t take 5,000 psi. How do I make your clamps work? Your part doesn’t have to take 5,000 psi of pressure. The force exerted on your part is determined by the pressure (psi) times the piston area (sq. in.). The force exerted by VektorFlo ® Swing Clamps ranges from 450 to 5,000 lbs at 5,000 psi input pressure. If you adjust the pressure down to 2,500 psi, your force will range from 225 to 2,500 lbs depending on the model selected. You can generally adjust your pressure from 750 to 5,000 psi and get just the force you need to hold your part properly. How do you decide between a standard and TuffCam™ Swing Clamp? TuffCam™ Swing Clamps must always be used when the required clamp actuation time is 1/2 second or less. The TuffCam™ rotation mechanism is more durable than the standard clamp, but they have the capability to swing in only one direction, as ordered. VersaCam™ Swing Clamps can be used when clamp speed is not critical (greater than 1/2 second is allowed) or the direction may need to be changed to swing left, right or straight. This is ideal where direction is not yet determined or you want to reduce the requirement for maintenance stock.
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© Vektek, January 2023
800-992-0236
www.vektek.com
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