A driving force transmission mechanism of a clamp apparatus includes first link arms, which are pivotally supported for rotation on ends of first and second piston rods, and second link arms, which connect other ends of the first link arms to respective ends on one end side of first and second clamp arms. Further, first rollers, which are provided on the one end of the first link arms, are guided in a horizontal direction along guide grooves of first guide members, and second rollers, which are provided on the other ends of the first link arms and the second link arms, are guided in a vertical direction along guide grooves of second guide members.

A clamp apparatus includes a support body that projects in a sideways direction of a body, together with a clamp arm, which is disposed rotatably in facing relation to the support body. On the support body, a support member, which extends in a horizontal direction, is disposed detachably with respect to a coupling hole of the body, whereas a connecting body, which interconnects a pair of arm members, is disposed detachably on an end of the clamp arm. A clamp release mechanism, which releases a clamped state when the clamp arm is locked, is disposed in the body, and is configured to press a joint of a driving force transmission mechanism that is accommodated in the body toward the side of a drive unit.

An actuating device which comprises a housing inside of which a slidably displaceable actuating element and sensing means adapted to detect the positioning of the actuating element are provided, wherein the actuating element is coupled to at least one triggering part and the housing comprises at least one reading opening through which the positioning of the at least one triggering part at at least one sensing position can be detected; further wherein the sensing means are placed outside the housing at the reading opening and the at least one triggering part is completely housed inside the housing, the at least one reading opening being sealed with a cover made of a material adapted to allow the detection of the triggering part when placed at the at least one sensing position.

The apparatus (1) for clamping workpieces on machine tools comprises: a basic frame (2) fixable to a machine tool (M) for machining a workpiece (P); a clamping unit (3); a hydraulic actuator (22, 23) comprising a first chamber (26) which can be supplied with a first pressurized hydraulic fluid and is connectable to a first sensing device (27) for sensing the pressure of the first hydraulic fluid; a sensing channel (15) which can be supplied with pressurized air and which is connectable to a sensing sensor (16) for sensing the pressure of the air;
wherein the first sensing device (27) and the sensing sensor (16) are connectable to a control system adapted to authorize the machining of the workpiece (P) when the pressure of the first hydraulic fluid and the pressure of the air are simultaneously higher than their respective threshold values.

An electrical clamping apparatus is provided that can reduce an entire size using a motor as a driving source and largely improve a grip torque by applying a sliding crank portion and a changed toggle link portion with a driving force transfer mechanism. The electrical clamping apparatus for clamping and fixing one side of a panel includes a main body; a driving motor installed within the main body and that generates a driving force; a clamp portion that clamps or unclamps the panel; a toggle link portion connected to the clamp portion and that transfers rotatory power to the clamp portion to rotate the clamp portion; a driving force transfer portion connected to the driving motor to transfer a driving force of the driving motor to the toggle link portion; and a sliding crank portion connected to one side of the toggle link portion to convert a rotational motion of the driving force transfer portion to a linear reciprocating motion and to operate the toggle link portion in a state in which one side thereof is connected to the driving force transfer portion and in which the other side thereof is vertically bent toward the toggle link portion.

A clamp device is provided with a detection section which detects the pivotal position of a clamp arm. The detection section has: a cam section which is provided on a pivot shaft, includes a predetermined cam surface, and is formed so that the radial distance from the center of the pivot shaft to the cam surface varies circumferentially; and a proximity sensor which detects the position of the cam surface which varies as the pivot shaft pivots.

A clamp device is equipped with a clamp body, a piston rod, a link mechanism, a detection mechanism for detecting a state of rotary motion of a clamp arm, and a determination unit for determining whether a state of clamping exists. The detection mechanism includes a first proximity sensor, and a knuckle joint having a first sloped surface. The determination unit, on the basis of a comparison of an output signal from the first proximity sensor to a clamp threshold value, determines whether a state of clamping exists, and on the basis of a comparison to a clamping force generation threshold value, determines whether a state of generation of clamping force exists.

An embossing tool comprised of a pressing plate or endless belt that includes a structured surface, a first gloss level over the full area of the structured surface, and further, different gloss levels in several selected areas of the structured surface. The gloss levels are created by mechanical post-treatment and/or chemical post-treatment. A method for producing the embossing tool is also involved. The structured surface is provided with a first gloss level over the full area and receives further, different gloss levels in several selected areas in further work steps. The gloss levels are created via a mechanical post-treatment and/or chemical post-treatment.

A toggle clamping device for building vehicle bodies has a clamping head and a cylinder, which adjoins the cylinder-side end of the clamping head in axial extension and the piston rod of which passes axially through the cylinder and a cavity of the clamping head, a toggle clamping arrangement being fastened to the free end of the piston rod, the toggle clamping arrangement being coupled to a clamping arm, and an opening being provided in the housing, and a cavity being provided therein for the mounting of a detection device for detecting the end positions of the clamping head, and wherein the detection device is formed as an exchangeable part, a cassette. For simple exchange of the cassette, the detection device is made up of a retainer and at least one sensor carrier, and the retainer is connected to the at least one sensor carrier such that the retainer can pivot about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being oriented transversely to the direction of the piston rod.

A clamping device has a rotatably mounted clamping shaft (2), a clamping element (1), and a control mechanism (3). The clamping shaft (2) is formed from an inner shaft (2.1) and an outer shaft (2.2) that receives the inner shaft (2.1). The outer shaft is connected to the control mechanism (3) to pivot the clamping shaft (2), via a lever arm (5). The inner shaft (2.1) is rotationally connected conjointly to the clamping element (1). The inner shaft (2.1) is fixed in position relative to the outer shaft (2.2) by an adjustment element (4) connected to the inner shaft (2.1).