What Are Vacuum Clamps?
Vacuum Clamps are jigs that secure a workpiece by creating a vacuum.
Since the workpiece can be fixed without touching it, it can be processed without damaging the workpiece.
It can also easily fix materials and three-dimensional molded products that are difficult to adsorb or fix.
The vacuum system is often built into the base unit, eliminating the need for a separate vacuum pump or vacuum ejector.
Workpiece replacement can be done simply by switching the vacuum state on and off, providing excellent workability.
Applications of Vacuum Clamps
Vacuum Clamps are used for various purposes, mainly for fixing workpieces.
- Fixing of non-magnetic workpieces
- Cutting thin workpieces
- Fixing of workpieces with three-dimensional shapes or complex shapes
- At the site of cell production system
- For exposure of positive photosensitive substrates and reliable pattern baking
- Fixing vibrators during vibration testing
- Fixing in places where welding is not possible
- Fixing on curved surfaces
- Workpieces that are difficult to adsorb or fix, such as steel products after pressing or bending, CFRP, and curved glass
- For processing wood or plastic plates
- For cutting and polishing processes in glass processing
Principle of Vacuum Clamps
Vacuum Clamps create a vacuum by sucking air through a factory air or vacuum pump to fix workpieces.
Many products, especially those with a vacuum ejector built into the base unit, do not require separate equipment if air from a compressor is used.
When the workpiece is held down and air is injected into the supply valve, the built-in vacuum engine operates to create a vacuum state and adsorb the workpiece.
Continuous supply of air maintains the vacuum state, and the workpiece is held in place during operation.
Since the workpiece is held in place by air suction, it can be processed on all surfaces except the bottom surface, and there is no risk of damaging the workpiece when it is held in place.
The vacuum state can be released by turning the air on and off, making it easy to attach and detach the workpiece. Therefore, jig replacement and positioning are also easy, which contributes to handling a wide variety of workpieces and shortening setup time.
Moreover, as long as air is available, the jig can be fixed regardless of its shape, eliminating the need to make a jig for each workpiece. This helps simplify the production process and reduce equipment costs.