What Is a Toggle Clamp?
A Toggle Clamp is a clamp that is installed on a workbench, etc., and uses the principle of leverage and the mechanism of the toggle mechanism to amplify a small force to secure a material with a large force.
A clamp, also called a fastener, is a tool used to secure materials to a workbench.
Toggle Clamps have a simple function of holding materials in place, but there are many different types of toggle clamps. If you devise a way to use them, you can use them in a variety of processing operations. They also play an important role in improving work efficiency and safety.
Uses of Toggle Clamps
Toggle Clamps are used in a wide range of applications, from general DIY to professional workplaces. They are especially important tools for safe and accurate machining operations at sites such as woodworking production sites.
Toggle Clamps are most often used as part of a jig to secure the material to be processed. Although clamps can usually be used as stand-alone tools, toggle clamps are always used with the body of the clamp screwed to a workbench or jig.
For example, when cutting or milling wood, a toggle clamp is placed on a jig to secure the material to be processed. By using a jig, the distance between the blade of the table cutter or router table and your hand can be maintained sufficiently, enabling safer and more precise processing than when working with a handheld tool.
Principle of Toggle Clamps
Toggle Clamps have a handle and a head. When the handle is operated, the head moves to hold and secure the material to be processed.
Toggle Clamps use a doubling force mechanism called a toggle mechanism to hold the material in place. A toggle mechanism is a mechanism that uses a moment (force x distance) to balance a small force, like a lever or a pulley, to obtain a large force with a small force.
Types of Toggle Clamps
1. Downward-Pushing Toggle Clamp
By pushing the head downward, the clamp holds the material to be processed. There are two types of toggle clamps: one with the handle down and the other with the handle up. Select the type that best suits your work space and hand placement.
2. Side-Pushing Toggle Clamp
The head part is pushed forward to fix the material to be processed. The material is clamped by pushing it between the clamp and the stopper fixed on the opposite side of the clamp. There are two types of clamps: one with the handle upright and the other with the handle down.
3. Tension Type Toggle Clamp
The tension type, also called hook type, has a key-shaped head and is secured by hooking onto a U-shaped hook.
4. Pneumatic Clamp
This clamp combines a toggle mechanism with a pneumatic cylinder. Because of its high clamping pressure, it is used when processing large objects such as ships and automobiles.
How to Select a Toggle Clamp
Toggle Clamps are suitable for clamping materials to an assembly jig or processing jig, especially when the same operation is repeated for similar materials.
It is important to select the right clamp for the job by checking the type, shape, clamping pressure, etc.
1. Type
There are various types of toggle clamps, including the downward clamping type, which clamps the material from above, the side-pushing type, which clamps the material from the side by inserting and removing the shaft, and the tensile type, which clamps the material by pulling it toward the clamp. Select the type best suited to the work situation.
2. Shape
There are two types of handle positions: the vertical handle type, in which the handle stands up when locked, and the horizontal handle type, in which the handle lies down when locked. Consider the space available for placement and hand placement. Also, a large shape will exert a greater pressure.
3.Tightening Pressure
Toggle Clamps are available with clamping pressures (clamping forces) ranging from as low as 20N to as high as 5,000N. Some heavy-load types are pneumatic clamps with a clamping force of over 10,000 N. The higher the clamping pressure, the more pressure is applied to the material. The higher the clamping force, the higher the force to hold the material, but clamps with a clamping force of 20 to 100 N are often used for general woodworking.
When selecting a toggle clamp, it is important to check the clamping force value listed in the catalog.
4. Arm Stroke
In the case of a downward holding type, select an arm length with a head, and in the case of a sideways pushing type, select a stroke length suitable for the work.
5. Material
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials are available. Select a material with strength suitable for the size and weight of the material to be fixed.