We bought some toggle clamps, pictured below, online a few days ago and they finally arrived!
These toggle clamps are quick-release and easy to use when clamping. This will enable the technician using this clamp to speedily clamp all of the clamps in the whole clamping system to secure the pneumatic unit for lifting or setting down. These clamps also come with holes such that they can be easily screwed onto aluminum profiles.
In addition, these toggle clamps come with non-slip rubbered surfaces, which promises a non-slip hold of loads up to 90kg. The length of its clamp is also adjustable, allowing us to customize the clamp lengths. The clamps can be removed and replaced with another clamp with has a longer adjustable length, if need be too. This enables us to have full customization over our clamp system and thus, will enable us to adjust our clamp system around the different obstacles on the unit, as seen in the photos below. It is clear why these toggle clamps are currently used in the industry to fashion clamping system – their strength, convenience and customizability is unparalleled.
Furthermore, we chose to work with aluminum profiles as they are strong and fully customizable. As seen in our annotated diagram below, the top bar can be adjusted to provide better clamping force and allow suitable clearance from obstacles at different heights from the base.
Currently, this prototype clamp mechanism was built with 2020 aluminium profiles, toggle clamps and 3D printed plastic L-shape brackets. While creating and tinkering with our prototype clamping mechanism, one of our 3D printed plastic L-shape brackets broke when we attempted to tighten the toggle clamp onto the base of our pneumatic unit.
We definitely needed to invest in stronger and higher quality L-shaped brackets. And so, we put in an order for metal L-shaped brackets for all of our profile sizes.
Can’t wait for them to arrive! 😀