What is a Wedge Clamp?
Wedge clamps come in a variety of styles allowing customers to configure clamping arrangements using a range of options from cooling circuits to sequence valve controls. The wedge clamping elements, with single or dual action, exert forces of 3 to 69 US tons and have a maximum temperature rating of 570F. The clamps can be actuated via hydraulic, electric or springs. Position sensors are available to verify the extended/clamped or retracted / unclamped positions. Our wedge clamp solutions handle high heat while minimizing press downtime.
Wedge Clamps, Double-Acting
(For Tapered-Edge Tools)
Double-Acting Wedge Clamps ensure safe clamping of tools with beveled clamping edges even in case of pressure drop. These units consist of a double-acting block cylinder with the tapered bolt in a steel housing. The wedge clamping bolt, provided with a 20° bevel, holds tools in a self-locking manner and can bridge large clamping edge tolerances. Choose from seven sizes offering maximum clamping forces from 5,700 to 143,000 lbs. Available with electronic or hydraulic position monitoring.
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Wedge Clamp, Double Acting, for Tapered Clamping Edge without and with position monitoring at the side Special features
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2.2401
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| Wedge Clamp with adjustable position monitoring at the back
The position monitoring will be screwed on at the cylinder bottom and can also be mounted in a position rotated by 180°. Different versions are available according to the application conditions. A control cam is provided at the extended piston rod causing the activation of the proximity switches. Adjustment of the switching position is effected by displacement of the proximity switches in the lateral groove. The proximity switches are switched on in a stroke range of approx. 6 mm by means of the control cam. The minimum distance to the positions to be monitored depends on the switch type. Position Monitoring is available in 3 versions:
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2.2402
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| Wedge Clamp with safety step – without and with position monitoring
The clamping bolt of this version has an additional support surface parallel to the clamping edge. In the case of pressure drop (machine failure or downtime) the upper die can be lowered to the safety step and safely held.
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2.2403
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| Wedge Clamp with form-fit safety step and position monitoring
The newest version of the line of Wedge Clamps features a patented safety notch added to the tapered clamping bolt. The notch will support the upper die in the event of a pressure loss. |
2.2404
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| Wedge Clamp with locking bolt without position monitoring. The locking bolt of the wedge clamp is prevented from retracting using an additional locking cylinder. Only after the locking bolt has been unlocked can the clamping position be used. |
2.2405
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| Wedge Clamp with sequence valve control with or without the safety step. An additional valve block on the standard wedge clamp enables hydraulic control of the clamping position. Only after the last wedge clamp has been clamped in the machine control released by a pressure switch on the pressure generator |
2.2407
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| Wedge Clamp with double sequence valve control with or without safety step. This design features a clamping bolt with an additional accommodation surface which is parallel to the clamping edge. Should the pressure drop (machine failure or standstill), the upper die will lower onto the safety step where it is safely held in position. |
2.2408
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Wedge Clamp with single valve control
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2.2409
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| Wedge Clamp with cooling circuit without safety step. The wedge clamp consists of a hydraulic block cylinder and a piston guided in a housing. The clamping bolt is provided with 20° bevel to clamp on the tapered clamping surface of the mold/die. |
2.2410
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Wedge Clamps; Single or Double-Acting hydraulic, or Electric
(For Straight-Edge Tools)
Wedge Clamps for flat clamping edges are used in injection mold machine applications or for die clamping on stamping presses.
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Single acting, clamping with spring force and hydraulic unclamping, The wedge clamping elements consist of a guide housing with a one-piece clamping bolt. It has a spring force and hydraulic unclamping, retention force 25 up to 120 kN, with and without position monitoring. Clamping cycle: the clamping bolt which is inclined by 6° performs an idle stroke and simultaneously a clamping stroke. The clamping bolt is lowered axially onto the clamping edge. The 6° angle, the spring force in the clamping bolt, and the frictional engagement at the clamping point create a self-locking connection. The wedge clamping element should preferably be used with position monitoring. Advantages
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2.2450
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Double acting, operating force 35 up to 120 kN, hydraulic clamping and Double-acting wedge clamp for clamping dies on a press bed or ram or for clamping dies in injection molding machines with Euromap mounting grid. The wedge clamp consists of a hydraulic block cylinder connected with a clamping bolt in a floating manner. Clamping cycle: the clamping bolt which is inclined by 5° performs an idle stroke and simultaneously a clamping stroke. The clamping bolt is lowered axially onto the clamping edge. The 5° angle of the housing has been determined so as to ensure that despite frictional engagement on the clamping edge the hydraulic pressure required for unclamping is sufficient. Since the clamping force is vertically transmitted to the clamping point, only low side loads occur. The wedge clamp is available with or without position monitoring. Special features
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2.2451
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Double acting, operating force 35 up to 120 kN, hydraulic clamping and Clamping force 25 up to 100 kN hydraulic clamping and unclamping without and with position monitoring. The double acting wedge clamps consist of a
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2.2460
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Wedge Clamp, electro-mechanical, max. operating force 240 kN for Flat Clamping Edge Electro-mechanical wedge clamps are used for hydraulic free clamping of dies or molds in metal forming presses and injection molding machines.
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5.2670
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This is the force the clamping element applies to the workpiece at maximum operating pressure. The die or the tool is clamped on the fixture plate by means of this force. The external forces acting on die or tool (e.g. ejecting force or die cushion force) shall not exceed the totality of the elements’ clamping force.
This is the holding force of clamping element and fastener (screw quality 8.8). The data given in the above table are based on the condition that the appropriate tightening torque has been applied, and that material and geometry of the fixtures are suitable for the purpose. It must be ensured that in cases of emergency, e.g. workpiece jammed in die or tool, the sum total of the elements’ operating forces is not exceeded.
Wedge clamping of existing dies is possible by retrofitting V-shaped inserts as shown. Max. hardness 50 HRC.
The occurring side loads must be absorbed by drill bushings (accessory) to be inserted into the fixture plate.
Please observe: in case of incorrect operation of the wedge clamping element, the clamping bolt may fully retract into the guide housing and thus cause the upper die falling off the ram.
The greasing intervals (high temperature grease) should be adapted to the existing operating conditions. Please note that greasing of the wedge bolts should only be made with the elements being retracted.
Clamping elements with wedge clamping bolt must be protected against dirt, scale, swarf, coolant, etc. by means of a suitable covering.
Dies or tools clamped by means of wedge clamping elements are subject to side loads that may be strong enough to displace them. Thus, positioning is required to compensate the side loads. Therefore, location pins or suitable limit stops should be provided, in order to keep the dies in their correct position.
When using wedge clamping elements on the press ram, it is recommended that multiple-circuit hydraulic supply of the clamping elements and pilot-controlled check valves are used for securing hydraulic clamping.
5-stage drop forge, equipped with wedge clamps, with directional control valves for the control of the different stages.
Wedge clamps with sequence valve control on a forging press
Wedge clamps with directly manifold-mounted directional control valves. Clamping and unclamping position electrically monitored. Easy to install with plug-in connections between the clamping elements.
Wedge clamps 160 kN clamping force on a Windsor W 550.
Wedge clamps on a Demag Ergotech 250/630 injection moulding machine.
Wedge clamps in a forging die. Temperatures up to 250C. Possible versions for forging applications.
Wedge clamps with check valve on a Krauss Maffai injection moulding machine.
Wedge clamp with hydraulic ports A + B at the right and an additional
cooling circuit C + D at the opposite, left side.
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