Abstract: An automatic pneumatic gripper applied to a screen printing machine includes a pneumatic cylinder disposed on a top surface of a fixing post and two elastic grippers pivoted on two transverse sides of the pneumatic cylinder respectively. The lower part of two grippers extend downward beyond a bottom surface of the fixing post and projects inwards to form a hook. When a plunger of the pneumatic cylinder protrudes downward and leans against the top surface of the fixing post 30, the two grippers pivot inward, clip and fasten a squeegee/scraper firmly on the fixing post by the hook. When the plunger retracts upward, the pneumatic cylinder falls down relatively falls down so that the two grippers pivot outward, away from each other and the squeegee/scraper is released.

Abstract: A system for detecting collisions in a shared communications medium, such as a TDMA medium, includes a receive path adapted to generate a first intermediate signal, a second intermediate signal, and a data symbol sequence from an input signal. A preamble detection module generates a correlation metric from the first intermediate signal. A power measurement module generates a power indication signal from the second intermediate signal. A noise measurement module generates a noise indication signal from the second intermediate signal and the data symbol sequence. A processing module is adapted to characterize the input signal as a collision for certain values of correlation metric, power indication signal, and noise indication signal.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus detachably clamps a work on a pallet. When a second pressing plate moves down from the unclamped state of a first position, elastic force of a first elastic member acts on a shaft through a first retainer and first operating balls so that a clamping arm is pressed down. When a first pressing plate moves down by a short distance, the first operating balls shift to the position of an unlocking segment of a sleeve, and a second operating balls are also located at an unlocking segment of a clamping case, to realize a releasing position. When the shaft is located at the releasing position where the first and second operating balls are not engaged with the shaft, the shaft can be removed from the clamping case.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressing device for a clamping system. The pressing device is coupled to a clamping element of the clamping system. For this purpose, the pressing device has a pressing arm, which is operationally linked at one end to a clamping element of the clamping system and has an oblong hole on the diametrically opposite free end, in which a fastening rod for a clamping head is situated so it is longitudinally displaceable and rotatable. The pressing device additionally has a twist lock, which secures the angle between clamping head and pressing arm, having a twist lock plate and a lock pin.

Abstract: A clamp device including a detection mechanism provided to detect whether the clamp device is in a clamped state or an unclamped state. The detection mechanism includes a tilt plate tiltably placed inside a switch holder installed on a body and a sliding rod displaced together with a piston rod and displaced in the direction normal to the tilt plate. When the sliding rod presses and tilts the tilt plate while a piston is displaced, a second detection switch detects that the clamp device is in the unclamped state.

Abstract: An annular piston (21) is inserted into a cylinder hole (20) of a housing (4) so as to be vertically movable and be prevented from rotating. Into a cylindrical hole (24) of the piston (21), a cylindrical rotating member (25) is inserted while prevented from moving vertically. A ball screw mechanism (28) is provided between the piston (21) and the rotating member (25). On an outer peripheral surface of the rotating member (25), a circulation passage (59) which communicatively connects a start end and a terminal end of a male spiral groove (56) is formed in a recessed manner. Into a guide hole (29) formed in an upper half of the housing (4), an output rod (30) is inserted rotatably and movably vertically. An input portion (41) of the output rod (30) is connected to the rotating member (25) so as to transmit rotation. By driving the piston (21) upward, a bolt (45) provided on an upper end portion of the output rod (30) is engaged with an internal threaded hole (12) of a work (10).

Abstract: A machine tool for machining a molded part, such as an elastomeric coated valve component includes a rotatable cutting tool having a shape corresponding to the shape of a cavity of the valve component. A method of machining the molded part is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pin clamp having first, second and third pins, a finger and stripper assembly. The first pin moves in response to an actuation. At least one finger is positioned adjacent the first pin, and is movable between clamped and unclamped positions. The second pin is located adjacent the first pin and is in operable communication with the finger. The stripper assembly comprises the third pin that is selectively engagable with the second pin, and an actuator that moves the third pin. The first activation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to engage the second pin causing it to move the finger to the clamped position. The second actuation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to disengage from the second pin causing it to not move the finger to the clamped position.

Abstract: A small-sized electric positioning and clamping apparatus is provided. A panel material is supported on a workpiece supporting face and is positioned by a locating pin being fitted into a positioning hole. A clamp arm is accommodated in a slit formed in the locating pin, and the panel material is clamped by the clamp arm. The clamp arm is coupled to a driven rod, and the driven rod is coupled to a driving rod via a compression coil spring. A cam face is formed in a cam block assembled reciprocably in a gear box, and an engagement cam contacting with the cam face is attached to the driving rod. The cam block is reciprocated by an electric motor via a reduction gear mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid pressure nut 16 has a first load supporting member 17 disposed in a flange 13a and a second load supporting member 18 axially movably attached to the first load supporting member 17, wherein the second load supporting member 18 is screw-connected to a bolt 15 in a screw hole 28. A pressure chamber is provided between the first load supporting member 17 and the second load supporting member 18, and a seal ring 44 is attached to an end portion of a pressure chamber 27. The seal ring 44 includes a first curve portion contacting with the first load supporting member 17, a second curve portion contacting with the second load supporting member 18, and a pressure receiving portion continuing into the first and second curve portions, wherein pressure applied to the pressure receiving portion is converted into axial-directional sealing forces of the curve portions.

Abstract: A piston (19) inserted into a cylindrical housing (2) is connected to a clamp rod (5). A lock chamber (20) is provided above the piston (19), and an annular valve chamber (41) is formed in a peripheral wall of a rod hole (18) into which the clamp rod (5) is inserted. At a last stage of swing ascending of the clamp rod (5), a shuttle member (42) fitted at the outside of a lower portion of the clamp rod (5) ascends and fits into the valve chamber (41) due to a differential pressure of a pressurized oil applied when the shuttle member (42) starts to fit into the valve chamber (41). Then, a flow rate of the pressurized oil to be discharged from the lock chamber (20) is controlled by a restriction gap between the shuttle member (42) and the clamp rod (5). At an early stage of swing descending of the clamp rod (5), a flow rate of the pressurized oil to be supplied to the lock chamber (20) is controlled by a restriction gap between the valve chamber (41) and the shuttle member (42).

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes a longitudinally extending slot. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending arcuate slot. The cam pin is coupled to the housing. The cam pin engages the slot. An electrical driven actuator includes an electric motor that rotates to move the locating pin linearly to rotate the twist pin.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a housing, locating pin, at least one finger, a drive rod and an actuator is provided. At least a portion of the locating pin may be extendable exterior of the housing. The finger is located adjacent the locating pin and movable relative thereto. The drive rod is movable and is engagable with the finger to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions. The actuator drives the locating pin and the drive rod. Movement of the locating pin and drive rod is linear only and no rotational movement of the locating pin and drive rod is employed to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pin clamp having first, second and third pins, a finger and stripper assembly. The first pin moves in response to an actuation. At least one finger is positioned adjacent the first pin, and is movable between clamped and unclamped positions. The second pin is located adjacent the first pin and is in operable communication with the finger. The stripper assembly comprises the third pin that is selectively engagable with the second pin, and an actuator that moves the third pin. The first activation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to engage the second pin causing it to move the finger to the clamped position. The second actuation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to disengage from the second pin causing it to not move the finger to the clamped position.

Abstract: A rotatably adjustable apparatus for locating geometric references on a workpiece. The present invention provides a housing having a linear actuator for actuating a locating member between an extended position, wherein the locating member engages the workpiece, and a retracted position, wherein the locating member disengages the workpiece. A substantially cylindrical locking member is connected to the locating member and is disposed within the housing. A releasable striker connected to and accessible from outside the housing matingly engages the locking member in a predetermined angular position to provide angular adjustment to the locating member. A sensing device is connected to the housing and senses the position of the locating member.

Abstract: A locating pin assembly is provided. The assembly includes a body and a cylinder assembly for moving a ram in a reciprocally linear manner. A bearing is coupled to the ram and configured to engage a bearing wedge to reduce “play” between the ram and the assembly. Illustratively, the bearing and bearing wedge reduce or substantially eliminate this “play” to prevent axial rotation of the ram.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a body, a locating pin, an actuator, a drive rod, a cam, and a finger is provided. The locating pin is coupled to the body and movable between extended and retracted positions. The drive rod is movable relative to the locating pin. The cam is movable relative to the locating pin and the drive rod. The finger is coupled to the drive rod and movable between extended and retracted positions. Actuation of the actuator causes the drive rod to move which extends the finger without moving the locating pin. Also, continued retraction of the drive rod after the finger has extended causes the cam to move out from the slot in the body to allow the locating pin to retract.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a housing, locating pin, at least one finger, a drive rod and an actuator is provided. At least a portion of the locating pin may be extendable exterior of the housing. The finger is located adjacent the locating pin and movable relative thereto. The drive rod is movable and is engagable with the finger to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions. The actuator drives the locating pin and the drive rod. Movement of the locating pin and drive rod is linear only and no rotational movement of the locating pin and drive rod is employed to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions.

Abstract: A fluid-driven actuator includes a chamber having a first stop and a second stop, a member that is extendable and retractable from the chamber, and a piston that is moveable toward the first stop to extend the member from the chamber and toward the second stop to retract the member into the chamber. The first stop is adjustable to vary a distance between the first stop and the second stop.

Abstract: An armover clamp assembly is provided that includes a housing, an actuator, a cam, a first link, a pivot pin, a driver, a rotating pin, and an arm. The cam includes a cam slot disposed therethrough and is attached to the actuator for linear movement inside the housing. The cam slot has a cam path that includes a locking portion and an extended travel portion. The first link is movably coupled to the cam slot via a cam pin coupled to the link. The cam pin is disposed in and configured to follow the cam path. The pivot pin is coupled to the first link at a position spaced apart from where the cam pin is coupled to the link. The driver is pivotally attached to the pivot pin. The rotating pin extends exterior of the housing and is attached to the driver inside the housing at a location spaced apart from the pivot pin.

Abstract: The disclosed clamp device for clamping blank pieces may comprise a mounting table, first and second clamping units, positioning units, and lock units. The mounting table is for placing thereon first and second blank pieces. The first and second clamping units have respective clamp plates that are able to be put on the first and second blank pieces while permitting a guided movement of the first and second blank pieces on the mounting table. The positioning units move the first and second blank pieces to establish a positioning of the first and second blank pieces on the mounting table. The lock units apply a given force to the first and second clamp plates to lock the first and second blank pieces.

Abstract: A clamp includes a body, a lead pin moveable relative to the body and an actuator supported by the body. The actuator is axially moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The actuator includes a camshaft drivingly coupled to the lead pin. Axial movement of the camshaft causes the lead pin to rotate between a first positioned aligned with a first longitudinal axis and a second position aligned with a second longitudinal axis laterally offset from the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A projection amount of rod can be adjusted, and workpiece with various shapes or easily deformable workpiece can be stably supported. When an opening/closing valve is switched to an opening position and a working medium flows and is injected from one medium chamber to another medium chamber, a support rod moves upward until an upper face of a first piston abuts on a cover member. Next, when the workpiece is placed on the support rod, the support rod is pushed down. When the workpiece moves downward to a predetermined height, the working medium is prevented from flowing between one medium chamber and another medium chamber if the opening/closing valve is switched to the closing position. Therefore, movement of the support rod is stopped. Since the working medium is sealed in the workpiece support device, it does not leak to the outside.

Abstract: A billet loader for extrusion presses includes a pair of billet grippers supported by two arms. While the first arm is fixed in relation to the supporting structure, the second arm is mobile in relation to the first arm allowing a translational motion along the axis of the billet. The arms are joined together by a chain, which is parallel to the billet-press axis, consisting of links that allow bending in one direction only to form a rigid and continuous supporting device for the billet along its entire length. The billet can consist of one or more workpieces. The chain can be wound in the opposite direction around a rod.

Abstract: A pieces hold-unit for machine tools such as workstations, transfer machines and milling machines is provided which comprises two parallel supports (12, 13) placed on a plane with at least a first of said support guided, controlled and movable with respect to the other one in order to approach and move them away, at least a first clamp-holder shaft (14) rotary mounted on the said first support and controlled for rotating, a second clamp-holder shaft (15) mounted on the other of said supports. Each shaft holds a clamp opposite to that of the other shaft, and one gear-reduction unit (16) is located at least on board of the support carrying said first shaft to follow the movements of said support and cause the gradual rotation of said first shaft.

Abstract: A power clamp for use in a manufacturing environment. The power clamp including a base and an extruded body secured to the base. The power clamp also includes a cylinder having a rod secured to the body. A shaft is rotatably supported by the body of the clamp. The clamp also includes a bar connected to the shaft and a rotator pin engaged with the shaft. The clamp also includes a link member connected to the rotator pin on one end and to the rod on the opposite end.

Abstract: A hook pin unit for use in a manufacturing environment. The hook pin unit includes a pin having an orifice through a surface. A base having an orifice with the pin arranged within the orifice of the base. A hook arranged within the pin and moveable between a first and second position.

Abstract: A clamp assembly having a body, a power supply, a vane, jaw arm and stop is provided. The power supply is coupled to the body, and the vane located in the body. The power supply pivots the vane about an axis between first and second positions. The jaw arm is coupled to and movable with the vane. The stop limits the movement of the jaw arm during a loss of power to the vane.

Abstract: The device is a clamp (1), designed to hold a construction piece, including a clamping lever (2), which climbs by pivoting around a transverse axis (3), in a case (4) formed by two half-shells (4a, 4b) with mirror symmetry along their joining plane and containing the clamping mechanism of the device (1), which is operated, by an intermediary shaft of a fluid cylinder (6) and (7) and of a system of a connecting rod (8) and a crank (9), or directly, between two positions, the first activates the release of the piece and the second activates the clamping of the piece, characterized in that each of the two half-shells (4a, 4b) forming the case (4) are made of a material that includes at least one reinforcement insert (10) made of a distinctively more rigid material and inserted into each half-shell (4a, 4b) in a zone subjected to high stress during clamping, so as to confer a resistance to stress in that zone, augmented in torsion, traction, or compression.

Abstract: A locating and clamping apparatus can prevent spatter from entering the clamp body through a spatter discharge hole. A longitudinal groove is formed in a side surface of the clamp body so as to communicate with both a spatter discharge hole and a hole for supporting a fulcrum pin. A spatter protecting cover having an upper cover member and a lower cover member is fitted in the longitudinal groove. The upper cover member of the spatter protecting cover prevents the fulcrum pin from coming off, and the lower cover member of the spatter protecting cover opens or closes the spatter discharge hole.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.

Abstract: The toggle-lever clamping device comprises a box-shaped body provided with a clamping member movable between an advanced and a retracted position in which it disengages and respectively locks a work piece. The clamping member is arranged on a side of the box-shaped body and is operatively connected to a linear actuator by an articulated quadrilateral system and an intermediate toggle-lever connecting link. The clamping member extends from the box-shaped body in a substantially orthogonal direction to the linear actuator, and the articulated quadrilateral system and the intermediate toggle-lever link are constructed and arranged to transform a linear movement of the actuator into a composite racking and linear movement of the clamping member to retain and disengage a work piece.

Abstract: Into a housing (3) is hermetically inserted an annular piston (5), and into the annular piston (5) is hermetically inserted an output rod (8). A spring (14) located below the piston (5) moves the piston (5) upward for locking, pressurized oil in a release chamber (12) formed above the piston (5) moves the piston (5) downward for releasing. On an upper surface of the piston (5) is provided a pressing surface (38), on an inner periphery of a peripheral wall of the release chamber (12) is provided a first tapered surface (41), which narrows upward, and on an outer periphery of the output rod (8) is provided a second tapered surface (52), which narrows downward. Between the pressing surface (38), the first tapered surface (41) and the second tapered surface (52) are inserted a plurality of balls (55) circumferentially at intervals. Thereby, when the spring (14) moves the piston (5) upward for locking, a moving stroke of the output rod (8) is larger than that of the piston (5).

Abstract: Two station vise for manual or hydraulic operation with a quick-change stationary that can be carvable, hard or reversible. the stationary jaw having two precision through holes is placed on expanding pins, located on the top longitudinal rails of the vise body, that precisely position and tighten the stationary block in place. Two movable jaws connected by a tubular drive form an axially adjustable floating assembly. A manually turned tubular drive has an external threaded screw to move simultaneously the first jaw/nut and an internal thread that moves the second jaw/nut, on the opposite side of the stationary. Hydraulically parts are clamped at the two stations with a piston located in the second jaw/nut and connected axially with the first jaw/nut by the tubular drive. A setup-block located at the front jaw/nut keeps both jaws at proper position for loading and unloading of parts. The setup-block also allows for pre-clamping or retention of the part in the rear station before clamping.

Abstract: A linearly adjustable apparatus having a stroke adjustment for locating geometric references on a workpiece. The present invention provides a housing having a linear actuator for actuating a locating member between an extended position, wherein the locating member engages the workpiece, and a retracted position, wherein the locating member disengages the workpiece. A bearing assembly is connected to the housing and slidably supports the locating member. The bearing assembly has an external threaded portion that threadably engages an internal threaded portion of the housing to provide linear adjustment of the stroke length of the locating member along a longitudinal axis of the housing. A jam nut threadably engages the bearing assembly to secure the relative position of the bearing assembly relative to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric locking device which has a simple structure, with which an operating time can be saved, and which has a sufficient clamping force required for operation. To a camshaft coupled to an electric motor through a speed reducing mechanism, a first cam and a second cam conjugate with each other are coupled. The first cam drives an arm driving rod in a clamping direction and the second cam drives the arm driving rod in a returning direction. Rotational motions of the first and second cams are converted into linear motions in the same direction by first and second cam contacting members supported by the arm driving rod. The arm driving rod drives a clamping arm to cause the arm to carry out a clamping operation. A cam face is provided as to move the clamping arm at a high speed until the arm reaches a vicinity of an end and to move the arm at a lower speed after the arm has reached the vicinity of the end.

Abstract: A motor pack for an electrically driven tool includes at least one electric motor and a linearly displaceable member coupled to the electric motor such that the linearly displaceable member is displaced axially by operation of the at least one electric motor. The motor pack further includes a housing enclosing the electric motor and at least partially enclosing the linearly displaceable member. The housing includes a front plate to which a tool head may be removably coupled. The front plate has an aperture formed therein through which the linearly displaceable element can be coupled to a moveable element in the tool head. The motor pack also includes tool control circuitry enclosed within the housing and electrically coupled to the electric motor to control operation thereof.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus has a lower body. A rotary driving source driven by an electric signal, a pump mechanism having a pressure oil-sucking/discharging mechanism energized/deenergized by the rotary driving source, a cylinder mechanism provided with a piston for moving in an axial direction in accordance with supply of pressure oil, and an accumulator for retaining the pressure oil are integrally assembled to the lower body.

Abstract: A swing-arm clamp is provided. The swing-arm clamp has a piston rod which is disposed therein. The piston rod is movable through the swing-arm clamp in response to movement by the piston along a longitudinal axis between first and second positions. The clamp also has a plug that is selectively positionable to affect the positioning of the piston rod.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a locating and clamping fixture is provided, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a drive pin that is linearly positionable along a first axis. The drive pin comprises a driver portion and a driven portion, wherein the driver portion is coupled to a piston of the fixture and the driven portion is coupled to a clamping arm of the fixture. The driver portion of the drive pin further comprises an annular groove, wherein one or more rollers are associated with the annular groove of the drive pin and a body of the fixture. The one or more rollers are operable to generally maintain a position of the clamping arm upon a loss of a driving force to the driver portion via an interface between the one or more rollers, the drive pin, and the body.

Abstract: A system for detecting collisions in a shared communications medium, such as a TDMA medium, includes a receive path adapted to generate a first intermediate signal, a second intermediate signal, and a data symbol sequence from an input signal. A preamble detection module generates a correlation metric from the first intermediate signal. A power measurement module generates a power indication signal from the second intermediate signal. A noise measurement module generates a noise indication signal from the second intermediate signal and the data symbol sequence. A processing module is adapted to characterize the input signal as a collision for certain values of correlation metric, power indication signal, and noise indication signal.

Abstract: A work-holding chassis is constructed of at least one lower manifold/bracket and at least one upper manifold/bracket with fixture plates attached thereto. An optional center manifold/bracket can be included for additional strength. This chassis is light-weight since the center is essentially hollow. In addition, the modular construction allows the components to be reconfigured and reused for sequential applications. The manifold/brackets have any of a number of differing geometric shapes to which the fixture plates may be attached. The manifold/brackets and fixture plates may be customized to have internal plumbing to afford fluid pressure to activate hydraulic clamps, components, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toggle lever clamping device, specifically, for use in vehicle body manufacturing in the automobile industry, wherein the rod acting as a piston rod is provided at its end section facing a toggle joint system with a thread by which the rod may be screwed a greater or lesser distance within a sleeve-like component of a linkage element, specifically, a fork head, in order to change the opening angle of a clamping arm. Adjustment of the opening angle may be effected without disassembling the toggle lever clamping device, specifically, for example, by inserting a tool, especially a screwdriver, through a hole in the base cover so as to rotate the piston rod left or right about its longitudinal axis in order to adjust the opening angle. Undesirable rotation is prevented by using a guide plate. A ball screw may also be employed in place of the thread.

Abstract: A powered clamp assembly is provided having an actuator, a cam member, a jaw arm, and a bearing member. The cam member has a camming surface and is driven by the actuator. The jaw arm is pivotable about an axis. The bearing member is attached to the jaw arm, as well as being engagable with the camming surface of the cam member. Movement of the cam member causes the camming surface to engage the bearing member which causes the jaw arm to pivot.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system arranged to provide a radiation beam, an article support configured to support an article to be placed in a beam path of the radiation beam, a multipolar clamp configured to provide a clamping pressure for clamping the article against the article support, and a bias voltage circuit for biasing at least one electrode of the multipolar clamp, such that the occurrence of ridges that appear due to static charges on the article may be circumvented.

Abstract: A clamp device including a support frame member, a lower clamp unit and an upper clamp unit supported by the support frame member. The lower clamp unit has a pair of lower jaws and a first actuator for actuating at least one of the lower jaws between clamped and unclamped positions. The upper clamp unit has a first upper jaw and a second upper jaw, and a second actuator for actuating at least one of the upper jaws between clamped and unclamped positions, the first upper jaw being fixed for movement with one of the lower jaws.

Abstract: An improved shiftable clamp (12) adapted for connection to a fixture (10) is provided, wherein the clamp (12) is selectively operable to engage and hold a workpiece (14) to the fixture (10). The clamp (12) includes a tubular body (22) and a piston (24) telescopically received within the body (22). Movement of the piston (24) is guided and controlled by way of a cam assembly (26) including a cam track (64) formed in the piston (24) and an associated cam track follower ball (66) mounted on the body (22). A spring unit (74) is also provided on the body (22) and includes a spring (82, 96) serving to self-center and bias the ball (66) into the track (64). This insures that the ball (66) smoothly rotates during movement of piston (22) and reduces wear and premature clamp failure.

Abstract: A clamp and method for locating a clamping workpiece in predetermined location are disclosed. The clamp includes a clamp body, a driving member, a workpiece-locating pin and a clamping member. The driving member is moveable in a first linear direction at least partially inside the clamp body. The workpiece-locating pin is moveable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and at least partially externally projects from the body. The clamping member is moveable relative to the workpiece-locating pin in the first direction when moving between a retracted position and a clamping position.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus, for use with an actuator, has a housing with a guide track mounted on or formed in the housing. A roller or cam operably engages with the guide track such that the cam can be moved and positioned along the guide track by way of the actuator. At least one pivoting arm is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent to and spaced from the guide track. Each pivoting arm has an elongate slot adjacent to the shoulder. The elongate slot has two arcuate surfaces positioned parallel to each other and has two end surfaces joining the arcuate surfaces to define a closed loop surface. The cam is positioned within the elongate slot of each pivoting arm to pivot each pivoting arm between a clamped position and a released position as the cam is moved along the guide track and driven against the arcuate surfaces of each pivoting arm.