Link Clamps and Levers
Frequently Asked Questions
The link clamp arm pivots 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.
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How do I adjust the position of the rotary lug? Rotary adjustment is easy, just loosen the two setscrews near the pivot on the rotary lug. Use a wrench on the end of the lever to rotate lever to desired orientation and tighten setscrews. We recommend tightening the setscrews while clamping over a workpiece at operating pressure. What is the vertical stroke of a link clamp? The maximum part variation is included in the vertical stroke, when outside the specification, the force generated by the clamp will be reduced and may result in reduced clamp life. 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 shortened life cycle. Is the link clamp more accurate than swing clamps? In some cases it may be preferred, its link mechanism still has a limited amount of play and may not be as precise as you desire. This type of decision is application dependent. The part thickness varies on my application. Which component will work best for my situation, the swing clamp or the link clamp? Swing clamps have more part variation tolerance; with nominal installation height being at ½ of straight stroke, it can tolerate ± ½ stroke variations. The limit on link clamps is spelled out on the individual catalog page. When should a link clamp not be used? If you are clamping on a draft angle, the angle will exert undue stresses on the linkage mechanism. This applies to both single and twin lever link clamps. Please avoid stressing guidance mechanisms of either swing clamps or link clamps as these stresses will cause premature failure not covered by warranty due to misuse or abuse.
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. When workpiece holding must be offset from the device 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 workpiece design or casting variations.
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VEKTEK SOLUTION WITH ROTARY LUG
COMPETITIVE ECCENTRIC LEVER
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TuffLink™ 360° Clamping on a Draft
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.
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© Vektek, July 2024
800-992-0236
www.vektek.com
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