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23rd October 2007, 11:12 AM #1
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Low Profile T-Slot clamp for the HM-45 mill
I made this low profile T-Slot clamp for my HM-45. The design is from a recent Model Engineer Workshop article. I must still make at least another one before I can test it. I want to be able to clamp plate steel directly to the milling table for machining without the clamp interfering with the cutter. In other words the top of the clamp will be lower than the top of the plate.
The initial job would be to machine a plate with dimensions 250 x 140 x 16 (mm). I was planning to clamp a flat stop bar with T nuts across the milling table. The plate will but up against this stop on the one side. On the other side, I will use two of these low profile clamps to push the plate against the stop bar as well as exert downward pressure to force the plate flat onto the milling table.
I was wondering if any one used this type of clamping system before or if there are any practical tips on its usage?
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23rd October 2007, 01:05 PM #2
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what part of your clamp holds against the side of your 16mm plate,is the countersunk screw doing your clamping,is one side of the plate chamfered,
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23rd October 2007, 01:12 PM #3
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G'day.
Google mitee bite
http://www.dimac.com.au/modular_clamping.html
These work great. A bit pricey at $163 +GST for 6.Hooroo.
Regards, Trevor
Grafton
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23rd October 2007, 02:32 PM #4
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Take a little care that you don't bruise the underside of the T-slots, as the down and across force gets transferred back tot he tee nut and may make it twist a little. As long as you don't torque it up too much, and you make sure your finish on the planes that engage with the t-slot is good then I don't see a problem. Make sure your flat bar clamp is of good finish too. Your workpiece will want be reasonably regular or you may find it a little awkward to set up.
I've seen them with serrated "teeth" on them to give a little more grip. Essentially they work alot like a low profile two piece vice. You could probably devise a number of different gripper plates for diffent applications.
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23rd October 2007, 04:54 PM #5
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Yes, the clamping plate is chamfered on both sides at 15 degrees and the clamping will be done with the countersunk screw
Originally Posted by pipeclay
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24th October 2007, 04:17 PM #6
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We made a set of these as a group project (about 20 all up). They work fabulously, you can see some in use at:
http://aussie-metalwork.blogspot.com...ce-clamps.html
One issue is that it is quite hard to get them clamped in the T slot. acton says "'t torque it up too much" but if you dont, you'll just find the clamping action slides the T nut back and the end result is no real clamping force on the work, probably leading to a nasty milling experience.
In the picture on the link, you will see the solution I used, which is simply to add a regular T-nut, tiny piece of threaded nut, and nut behind the T nut clamp to ensure it cannot move backwards.
If I was doing it again, I would seriously consider doing it with a clamping nut, rather than two set screws for this reason.
