Board logo

Designing a Clamp
TimC - 26/9/13 at 05:37 PM

Hi folks,

I want to get a clamp water-jet cut that will mount securely to a round chassis tube. The crap picture below aims to show what I'm trying to do. The black circle represents the cut-out for the round tube that it will bolt to and the darker shaded areas are the drill-holes that I'd need to make after the forms are water-cut. Bolts would then run through these to pull it all together.


Does anyone have any related advice, in particular about the cut-outs for the chassis tube? Should they be nominally the same diameter or slightly bigger or elliptical or????

Any thoughts very welcome.

Tim


clanger - 26/9/13 at 06:07 PM

cut out should be same dia as the tube in question. you should create a gap between the two halves which will allow you to clamp said device to the tube allowing maximum surface contact. width of gap will depend on how tight you want be able to clamp it to the tube and how strong the material is you are using...........too big a gap between the two halves combined with too much oomph on the spanner/allen-key will deform the clamp and could crush the tube??? said the actress to the bishop............"you'll have to suck it and see?"


Minicooper - 26/9/13 at 06:08 PM

When I have done jigs for holding tube, I always had to file the edge to get a snug fit, these days I make the hole a little bigger, recently I have had some jig bits made for a 60.3mm diameter tube I got them cut at 60.5

Cheers
David


clanger - 26/9/13 at 06:12 PM

these any good Tim?
clamps

[Edited on 26/9/13 by clanger]


designer - 26/9/13 at 06:19 PM

You don't say what it is to support, but it's over engineered.

The buggy people use all types of moveable clamps, all types are available off the shelf.

http://pitstopusa.com/i-5055057-ub-machine-steel-clamp-on-clevis-panhard-bar-mount-fits-1-1-2-round-tube-1-2-rod-end.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unitec-10323-Clamps-Clamping-Bracket/dp/B004TTIYHY

http://stores.etheridgeraceparts.com/-strse-1251/Weight-Mount/Detail.bok


Minicooper - 26/9/13 at 06:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Minicooper
When I have done jigs for holding tube, I always had to file the edge to get a snug fit, these days I make the hole a little bigger, recently I have had some jig bits made for a 60.3mm diameter tube I got them cut at 60.5

Cheers
David


What I'm doing is not for clamping, just holding temporarily in place while welding


bi22le - 26/9/13 at 08:21 PM

My company sells tube to tube clamps of different combinations that are similar to what you require.

Clanger is spot on. Same dia and a gap inbetween. Ours are made of ali and grip to steel like nothing else.

The link below shows the silver ali clamp. Not the best pic. Downloading the accessory cat and finding "footplate raiser blocks" may show a better pic.

http://www.ineedawheelchair.co.uk/products/accessories/rochester_stump_boards/rochester_stump_boards


Alan B - 28/9/13 at 03:49 PM

Normally I'd use a split shaft collar with a bracket welded on....quick, cheap, easy, robust.

One of these...

Linky

Alan B