When To Use Manual Clamping Fixtures

Prismatic Workholding | Large Part Workholding | Wind Energy | Manual Workholding

Manually clamped fixtures can be an effective workholding solution compared to hydraulically clamped fixtures in some cases.

Manual clamping can be the best alternative when some or all of the following apply:

1.  Low cost justification.  Manual clamping fixtures can reduce the upfront cost of a Hydraulic fixture up to 20%-60% in many cases.  If your profit margins or annual quantities cannot justify the added cost of Hydraulic clamping, manual clamping may be your only alternative.
2. Large and heavy work-pieces.  When machining larger parts that provide much of the rigidity necessary for absorbing machining and clamping forces due to its weight and size, manual clamping may be an effective solution.
3. Attentive and experienced operators.  Manual clamping can provide similar clamping capabilities as Hydraulic clamping, as long as the operator is careful to ensure its proper usage.

Manual clamping can be justified as long as you compare the initial cost savings, to the daily operating costs incurred by hiring skilled labor, human error, ergonomics, process variability and lost productivity.  (See Advantages of Hydraulic Clamping)