What Is a Magnetic Clamp?
A clamp is a device used to secure materials to a workbench. Using a clamp, materials can be supported without holding them down by hand.
Clamps also fix two superimposed materials face to face, such as when setting them on a machine tool or crimping glued materials together until they dry. A magnetic clamp is a clamp that has a magnetic base attached to it and does not need to be screwed to a workbench or other location where the clamp itself is to be fixed.
Uses of Magnetic Clamps
A powerful magnet is attached to the clamp base, allowing the clamp to be easily installed on a steel worktable or machine tool table. The clampers hold workpieces at any angle or crimp them while keeping them at any angle. The electromagnetic type can be switched on and off by electric control, while the permanent magnet type utilizes the magnetic force of a strong magnet.
There is also a magnetic clamp for injection molding that uses a large permanent magnet to clamp the injection mold itself.
Principle of Magnetic Clamps
There are two types of magnetic clamps: the magnetic base type, in which a magnet is placed on the clamping base and secured to a steel workbench by powerful magnetic force, and the type in which the powerful magnet itself is used to clamp a metal product (e.g., injection molding die).
The magnetic base type can be quickly fixed to any place where magnets are attracted, such as on a machine tool, even if the area is not horizontal or flat, and allows more flexible holding than simple clamps. The strength of the magnet is listed on the product for both the electrically controlled type and the permanent magnet type, so the appropriate one should be selected. This includes arm mobility, length, fine adjustment mechanism, and clamping strength (holding force).
Magnetic clamps for fixing molds turn the mold clamp on and off by energizing a powerful neodymium magnet. Injection molding creates products by pouring plastic or other resins into a metal product mold (die) to solidify. The mold itself used in injection molding is held in place by magnets to prevent the mold from shifting during the molding process.