The present invention is directed to a clamping system for supporting a work piece in position for receiving a machining operation and more particularly to a clamping system for supporting a work piece for receiving a machining operation whereby the work piece is held in position by exerting pressure against two or more locations along the surface of the work piece and that the supporting force at least one location is directed against the work piece in at least two vectors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping system of the subject invention is effective for supporting more than one work pieces in position for receiving a manufacturing operation.

A clamp release mechanism is provided. The clamp includes a body, a shaft slideably coupled to the body, a fixed jaw, and a moveable jaw coupled to the shaft. A locking component actuates between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the locking component biases the shaft to remain stationary with respect to the body. The clamp includes a securing component pivotally coupled to the locking component, and a biasing element that biases the securing components towards the shaft.

A self-centering vise having reduced vertical size capable of exerting on workpieces a force exceeding 2000 kg. The vise comprises a body, two or more jaws constrained to the body and actuators of the jaws. The jaws can be moved close to and away from a workpiece gripping axis. Each actuator comprises a thrust element susceptible to displacements by a pressurized fluid. Each jaw comprises two guides inclined and symmetrical with respect to the displacement direction of the same jaw, and the thrust element of each actuator comprises two walls inclined and symmetrical with respect to the displacement direction of the same thrust element. Each actuator exerts its thrust simultaneously on two jaws, by slidingly engaging the guides of two jaws with its own inclined walls, according to a configuration that can be defined double inverted wedge configuration.

A fixture block composite structure for workpiece positioning comprises a fixture block group composed of at least a stop fixture block and at least a one-sided movable fixture block. The stop fixture block is fixed to a base by a plurality of mountings, and two opposite lateral sides of the stop fixture block in the extending direction of base are provided with a fixed upright positioning plane respectively. The one-sided movable fixture block has a fixed holder, the holder is fixed to the base by a plurality of mountings. The holder is provided with a movable piece which can be driven to reciprocate towards the positioning plane on the stop fixture block. The movable piece is provided with a clamping surface on one side facing the positioning plane.

A palette for an automated machining system includes a body, a plurality of fasteners configured to apply a force laterally to body to fasten the body to a receiver in the automated machining system, and a soft jaw mechanism connected to the body. The soft jaw includes one or more locking blocks that are anchors for a floating block and wedge block that apply a force to hold a workpiece at a reproducible location between the one or more locking blocks. The floating block is configured to not engage with the body, workpiece, or wedge block beyond friction and/or compressive forces.

A wire clamp includes a base and first and second jaws. The first jaw is pivotally mounted to a first upright portion of the base via a first pivot axle, and the second jaw is pivotally mounted to a second upright portion of the base via a second pivot axle. The first and second jaws crisscross each other at an overlap area, and are spring-biased to pivot relative to the base towards a closed position. Respective hook members of the first and second jaws define a mouth above the overlap area that is configured to receive a wire. A size of the mouth adjusts automatically to a size of the wire within the mouth as the first and second jaws pivot towards the closed position. The wire may be held within the mouth in an in-line orientation with a corresponding terminal to which the wire will be crimped.

The invention relates to a gripping or clamping device having an actuator, including a drive driving the actuator, and at least one jaw that is motion-coupled with the actuator. The actuator includes a spindle having a threaded portion, wherein for the purpose of motion coupling, an active portion meshing the threaded portion is arranged on the jaw side.

A vise with a sliding head which slides on an elongate body. A diagonal clamping screw passes through a hole in the sliding head and is threaded into a pin inserted in an internal sliding block. The internal sliding block has a toothed pattern which is able to interlock with a toothed pattern fixed to the body underneath the vise slides. The diagonal clamping screw provides force to lock the tooth patterns together and pull the head forward when tightened. A spring provides force to disengage the internal sliding block teeth and fixed teeth on the body when the diagonal clamping screw is loosened.

A work holding device, such as a vice, includes first and second jaws and a spindle connected between them to change the distance between the jaws for holding a work piece. An elongated connection member extends from the first jaw and is shaped to fit into a receiver member of a receiver hitch on a vehicle. Adjustable projections are provided on the elongated connection member for reducing movement of the vice in the hitch. The adjustable projections may be set screws. An end cap is provided on the end of the elongated connection member. The work holding device may be mounted in a receiver member or bracket on a workbench or other work area.

The present disclosure includes a vise having a base with a first a channel and at least one rail extending along the base in a longitudinal direction. The base also includes a gear rack fixed within the channel and extending in the longitudinal direction. The vise also includes a first jaw fixed to and extending substantially perpendicular from the base, a second jaw secured to the base and engaged with the at least one rail, and a gear rack link having a body and at least one gear tooth extending from a bottom surface of the body, with the gear tooth configured to engage with the gear rack. The vise also has a handle connected to the second jaw and the gear rack link such that the positions, relative to the base, of the second jaw and the gear rack link are adjustable by manipulating the handle.