Clamp cylinder twists and turns

    Jan. 23, 2003
    Clamps often get in the way when loading and unloading workpieces into machine tools. To eliminate this obstacle, Bimba Mfg. Co. Monee, Ill. (www.bimba.com), designed an air-pressure-activated cylinder that rotates out of the way as it extends.

    Rotation is generated by a cam-bushing design that has been tested to millions of cycles. Attaching a clamp arm to the cylinder (Bimba EFG1), the actuator becomes a clamp for light-duty holding applications. The twist clamp is available in four bore sizes, 25, 40, 50 and 63 mm. The clamp can exert up to 600 lb of force with a 140-psi air supply.

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